I am here to mourn.

And I am here to warn.

One cannot legislate against hate, just as one cannot legislate that we must love.

What we can do is create a society where equality and dignity for all

is recognised by law and universally implemented.

I mourn all victims of terrorism.

I mourn the victims of all terrorism.

I mourn all victims of racism.

I mourn the victims of all racism.

One cannot legislate against fear, just as one cannot legislate that we must trust.

What we can do is create a society that minimizes the causes for fear,

and optimises the reasons for trust.

I mourn all victims of violence.

I mourn the victims of all violence.

I mourn all victims of trauma.

I mourn the victims of all trauma.

A society cannot boast equality for all, while some of its members are more equal

than others.

What we can do is protect democratic rights for all, and make sure they are

universally implemented.

I mourn all victims of hate speech.

I mourn the victims of all hate speech.

I mourn all victims of demonisation.

I mourn the victims of all demonisation.

This country is ancient and new. We can build on the knowledge and wisdom of

multiple peoples.

But if we let our right to freedom of expression and public gathering be tightened

into a corset that favours some above others, that potential wisdom will be

suffocated.

I mourn all victims who cried “I can’t breathe!”

I mourn the victims of all suffocation.

I mourn all victims of intimidation.

I mourn the victims of all intimidation.

As a member of the United Nations, Australia should uphold its charters,

agreements and resolutions.

As a member nation, Australia is obliged

to prevent and stop the crime of crimes: genocide.

If the Australian government is negligent in its duties, shouldn’t the people of

Australia be entitled to call them out and urge them to take proper action?

I mourn all victims of negligence.

I mourn the victims of all negligence.

I mourn all victims of hypocrisy.

I mourn the victims of all hypocrisy.

How often do we see that the perpetrator of violence blames the victim? That the

perpetrator claims innocence, escapes punishment and correction, but the victim

is paying for the crime?

Do we as a society not have a responsibility to make sure such mix-ups get

untangled? And should that not be the case in all arenas, big and small?

I mourn all victims of unjust blame.

I mourn the victims of all unjust blame.

I mourn all victims of misinformation.

I mourn the victims of all misinformation.

There is a Sephardic song, from 16th Century Spain, that sings about the

importance of learning how to distinguish between falsehood and truth.

La vida es un passaje por ganar avantaje

La muerte es un viaje la mundo de la verda.

Mis hermanos mis queridos veneis a vestros oidos

El que bailo sale corridor en esta mundo falso.

May we gain wisdom to see clearly and courage to uphold truth.

And may we do so together.