Premier names two leaders to oversee Bondi community support
Multicultural NSW CEO Joseph La Posta and NSW Jewish Board of Deputies CEO Michele Goldman will jointly oversee the delivery of support programs.
The NSW Government has appointed two co-coordinators general to lead ongoing community support and ensure coordinated assistance continues in the wake of the antisemitic terror attack at Bondi Beach one month ago.
Multicultural NSW CEO Joseph La Posta and NSW Jewish Board of Deputies CEO Michele Goldman will jointly oversee the delivery of programs supporting victims’ families, survivors, eastern suburbs and Jewish communities.
La Posta will lead whole-of-government coordination, ensuring services and programs are delivered seamlessly and effectively. Goldman will provide dedicated community leadership, drawing on close engagement with affected communities to inform support efforts.
The coordinators general will work together to ensure the right services are delivered at the right time by coordinating support across government, non-government organisations, charities and the private sector.
A key priority will be active engagement with community leaders and organisations to help rebuild wellbeing, strengthen social cohesion and support long-term recovery.
The appointments are for an initial period of at least three months, with both coordinators general reporting directly to the Premier.
Premier Chris Minns said: “Our message to everyone effected by the horrific antisemitic terror attack at Bondi one month ago is clear – we are with you for the long haul.
“The appointment of these Co-ordinators General is a key way that we’ll ensure the support efforts for the Bondi community are organised, appropriate and effective.
“The Bondi Beach terrorist attack tore apart the Bondi and local Jewish community in a number of minutes on December 14, but we know the support effort will take months and the impacts will be felt for years to come and our government will be there every step of the way.”
To date, the federal and state governments have committed approximately $60 million to support wellbeing, resilience and recovery initiatives for victims and affected communities.
This has included more than 830 people accessing support through the Bondi Community Hub, Service NSW supporting more than 230 businesses, and more than 350 applications lodged with Victim Support Services.
“We will be bringing together government, non-government, and community efforts, with community voices at the very heart of everything we do. This is a shared journey, and we’ll walk it together toward recovery,” said Goldman.
“I care deeply about serving the NSW Jewish community, and that commitment will guide our work in the weeks and months ahead.”
La Posta said: “We are honoured to step into these important roles at such a critical time.
“Our focus will be on ensuring that government efforts are coordinated, support is delivered quickly and effectively, and every impacted individual as well as the broader Jewish and eastern suburbs community is heard and cared for.”
Minister for Recovery Janelle Saffin said: “This terrorist attack was unlike anything our state has faced before, and our focus is firmly on standing with the Bondi and Jewish communities and walking alongside them for the long term.
“Meeting this moment requires a coordinated, culturally informed approach, and that responsibility has been entrusted to these highly capable Co-ordinators General.”
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