Statement from Glen Eira and Port Phillip, 17 December 2025
The Cities of Glen Eira and Port Phillip, with the support of the Municipal Association of Victoria, have invited Mayors from across Victoria to co‑sign a joint statement in response to the tragic mass shooting at Bondi Beach.
This horrific event took place on the first night of Chanukah, a festival that symbolises light and hope for the Jewish community. Our thoughts are with the victims, their families, NSW Police, first responders, Waverley Council, and Jewish communities across Australia who are deeply impacted by this senseless act of violence.
Victorian Councils are standing in solidarity with our Jewish community and are speaking out against hate and antisemitism.
We know this tragedy will be felt profoundly at a local level. We condemn this attack and stand in solidarity with all those affected.
A united voice coordinated through the combined leadership of Port Phillip and Glen Eira sends a powerful message of compassion, resilience, and support for our Jewish communities during this difficult time.
At the time of writing 65 councils, representing over 80% of local governments within Victoria have signed this statement. We acknowledge their commitment and the promptness of their response.
We stand with our Jewish community. We stand in solidarity against hatred and antisemitism.
Joint Statement
We, the undersigned Mayors, stand united in grief and solidarity following the horrific antisemitic terror attack in Bondi. At least 15 lives have been lost, and our hearts go out to the victims, their families, and the Waverley community.
Victoria is home to some of Australia’s largest Jewish communities, and many are feeling deeply shaken. We condemn antisemitism and violence in all its forms. Hate has no place in our cities, and no place in Australia.
This tragedy comes as many prepare to celebrate Chanukah, a festival that symbolises light triumphing over darkness. It is heartbreaking that such darkness has overshadowed the start of this season of hope. Let us honour the spirit of Chanukah by standing together and rejecting hate in all its forms.
To our Jewish community, we say: We see you. We stand with you. This is your home, and you should not feel afraid.
Now more than ever, our role as Councils is clear: to bring people together, promote social cohesion, and build inclusive communities. We will continue to work every day to stamp out antisemitism and hate, and to ensure our cities remain places of safety, respect, and belonging for all. Together, we stand united against hate.
At the time of writing the following Councils via their Mayors had added their support for the joint statement:
City of Port Phillip
Glen Eira City Council
Ararat Rural City Council
Alpine Shire Council
Ballarat City Council
Bass Coast Shire Council
Bayside City Council
Boroondara City Council
Brimbank City Council
Buloke Shire Council
Casey City Council
Central Goldfields Shire Council
Colac Otway Shire Council
Corangamite Shire Council
Darebin City Council
Frankston City Council
Glenelg Shire Council
Golden Plains Shire Council
Greater Dandenong City Council
Greater Geelong City Council
Hepburn Shire Council
Hindmarsh Shire Council
Hobsons Bay City Council
Hume City Council
Indigo Shire Council
Kingston City Council
Knox City Council
Latrobe City Council
Loddon Shire Council
Macedon Ranges Shire Council
Manningham City Council
Mansfield Shire Council
Maribyrnong City Council
Maroondah City Council
Melbourne City Council
Merri-bek City Council
Moira Shire Council
Monash City Council
Moonee Valley City Council
Moorabool Shire Council
Mornington Peninsula Shire Council
Mount Alexander Shire Council
Moyne Shire Council
Murrindindi Shire Council
Nillumbik Shire Council
Northern Grampians Shire Council
Pyrenees Shire Council
Borough of Queenscliffe Council
South Gippsland Shire Council
Southern Grampians Shire Council
Stonnington City Council
Strathbogie Shire Council
Surf Coast Shire Council
Swan Hill Rural City Council
Towong Shire Council
Wangaratta Rural City Council
Warrnambool City Council
Wellington Shire Council
West Wimmera Shire Council
Whitehorse City Council
Wodonga City Council
Wyndham City Council
Yarra City Council
Yarra Ranges Shire Council
Yarriambiack Shire Council
Municipal Association of Victoria
