Bondi fallen memorialised at Opera House event

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said he was “deeply and profoundly sorry” for the Bondi Beach massacre at a vigil memorialising the terror attack on Thursday night.

Speaking at the “Light Will Win” event at the Sydney Opera House, the prime minister said “tonight should have been nothing more than a regular Thursday night, our beautiful city brightened by the light of another 15 lives”.

“We cherish the promise of Australia, that this country is a safe hub, but sadly, that promise was broken,” he said.

“You came to celebrate a festival of light and freedom, and you were met with violence and hatred. I am deeply and profoundly sorry that we could not protect your loved ones from this evil.”

Albanese acknowledged that the attack “was anything but random”.