December 16, 2025 • 10 mins
In an extraordinary moment during an already devastating week, the Prime Minister of Australia, Anthony Albanese interrupted the show live to speak directly to the nation.
He shared words of unity and resolve following the anti-Semitic terrorist attack on a Hanukkah celebration, reflecting on the meaning of light over darkness and the strength of Australians coming together in grief and defiance.
The Prime Minister also provided an update on Ahmed, the Australian Hero whose bravery saved lives, and honoured other everyday heroes who ran toward danger. We spoke about national unity, community support, blood donations, candlelight vigils, public safety, gun laws, and how Australians move forward without letting fear win.
A powerful, emotional conversation about leadership, courage, and the values that define Australia at its best.
This episode contains discussion of violence, terrorism, and loss, which some listeners may find distressing. Listener discretion is advised. If this conversation brings up difficult feelings, support is available. You can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 for 24/7 confidential support, or visit lifeline.org.au.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:09):
I Heeart podcasts.
Speaker 2 (00:10):
You can hear more Gold one I four point three
podcast playlist and listen live on the free iHeart app
That anything good.
Speaker 3 (00:19):
Hey, this is the Christian O'Connell Show podcast.
Speaker 2 (00:27):
We've got the Prime Minister live on the line now,
welcome to the show. Prime Minister, good morning, Thank you
very much for joining us. I first of all, I
thought it'd be really nice if you can offer a
message to us. So are still very shook up from
the events on Sunday. What words of hope and support
can you offer us right now, Prime Minister.
Speaker 3 (00:49):
That Australia will come through this. We are a brave
country and this is the darkest of times for an
anti Semitic terrorist attack to occur on a Hanikah celebration.
Hanikah celebrates the first world of light, the victoria of
(01:10):
a light over darkness, and we will come through this,
will come through it together with national unity. And my
heart goes out to the community today and every day.
But today particularly will be a difficult day with the
first funerals underway, and how.
Speaker 1 (01:28):
Do we stick together right now as a community.
Speaker 2 (01:31):
Already you're seeing these incredible scenes of people queuing for
hours to donate blood. People want to help, people wanted
to support each other. We want to feel closer to
each other right now, don't we?
Speaker 3 (01:42):
We do? And last night the Governor General hosted an
event at Admiralty House and there was lots of hugging
and just warm embraces with leaders of the Jewish community,
with people across the political spectrum who came together last night.
(02:05):
And it is a difficult period. The Australians are reaching out.
Australians are lighting candles in their front windows as a
symbol of Hanaker and a symbol of the victory of light.
Australians are queuing in their tens of thousands to donate
(02:25):
blood in order to assist people. And I think people
are engaging with each other about the values that matter.
What terrorists seek to do is to pit Australian against
Australians and to promote division in the world. And this
(02:47):
is an Isis inspired attack that cannot be allowed to succeed.
And the way that we hurt that attack is by
uniting is coming together as Australians and providing support, particularly
for the Jewish community at this difficult time.
Speaker 2 (03:08):
When you took about the darkness and the light and
the meaning for Hannahker as well. The real light that
also came on Sunday was incredible. I don't think any
of us have seen anything. And the man of the
moment Australian of the armed and I think you actually
went and saw him and visited him.
Speaker 1 (03:25):
How is he? Everyone wants to know how is he?
Speaker 3 (03:28):
I did see him yesterday in hospital. He's being operated
on today. It's quite an extensive operation. He had substantial wounds,
but was in a very upbeat mood. He's a very
humble man. His parents are visiting him at the moment
(03:53):
and they were very proud, quite rightly of their son.
This is someone who ran towards danger, put himself at risk,
and we know that there were a number of heroes
as well on Sunday. He armored is someone who I
(04:14):
think shows the best of the Australian character. He didn't
think of himself, he thought of others and as a
direct result of his intervention, lives were saved.
Speaker 2 (04:25):
Yeah, it's an incredible, incredible story, and you're right, he
embodies the best of us. That's Australia, that's Australian values,
isn't it.
Speaker 3 (04:35):
It certainly is And This is someone who wor was
with friends heading down to Bondo Beach on a Sunday
afternoon to get a cup of coffee was what he
wanted to do. He came across the festival that was
taking place and someone invited him to join. It was
(04:57):
a very open celebration of joy, and so he was
aware that of the festival taking place, and then shots
started to ring out and mister l Armored intervened in
a way that made an enormous difference.
Speaker 2 (05:20):
Yeah, and if you must be aware of this, go
fund me, Paige. I think it's up to two and
a half million dollars, not just from Australians once the
support him from all over the world.
Speaker 3 (05:30):
Well, he's got a small business that is currently not
able to operate because he's in hospital and that will
certainly help. But indeed, not just Armored, but people who
lost their lives. There are heroic stories in today's news.
Boris and Sophia German, a married couple in their sixties
(05:52):
who tried to take down one of the governments right
at the very beginning of the attack before they were murdered.
Ruben Morrison, who threw bricks at the government heading towards
danger before he was murdered. These heroes, and I think
(06:12):
at a time when you look at the events of
Sunday with shock and horror, this is of some comfort
about what the true Australian character is.
Speaker 2 (06:27):
Yeah, beautifully said, and I think a lot of people
listening right now as well, a Prime minister is there
is obviously a need for unity as well. But are
there gaps in the gun laws? We're in this situation
where a guy living in the inner suburbs, what does
he need a license for to have six guns? Are
there gaps in the laws that need to change.
Speaker 3 (06:47):
Well, clearly in my view there are a need for tightening.
These gun laws were introduced, of course in nineteen ninety
six in the wake of the Port Arthur massacre. If
we need to do anything to tighten them, up state
and territory governments, so I brought together in order to
make sure we do just that.
Speaker 2 (07:08):
Great, that's good to hear that actually, and I think
a lot of people as well. You know, this time
of year, obviously Hannaka is still going on. There are
going to be festivals, are going to be public gatherings,
there's summertime, some of holidays are coming up soon, you know.
I'm looking out over the Harbor Bridge, you know, and
I'm thinking about the fireworks on New Year's Eve?
Speaker 1 (07:24):
Can people feel safe gathering in public?
Speaker 3 (07:29):
Look, we need to make sure that fear doesn't win
here and that people continue to conduct their lives and
express their sense of community. These are there is an
increasingly dangerous world that we live in tragically, but we
(07:52):
can't allow fear to win. That's what that's what the
terrorists seek. And you know the actions of Australians I
don't think will be cowered by what has occurred. Yeah,
these people evil, they were cowards and their actions were
(08:16):
an atrocity.
Speaker 2 (08:19):
Thank you very much for speaking us today. I can
tell that actually, you know, in a job like yours,
you deal with some a situations, difficult situations, horrific situations.
But I get the feeling talking to you today, Prime Minister,
even you're struggling with this and also the stuff that
you would have been across the last couple of days.
Speaker 1 (08:34):
It must be heavy for you as well on a
personal level.
Speaker 2 (08:37):
And I know you're stoic and I thought you spoke
very very well Monday, And this is a time for
leaders in all shapes and forms to step up, not
just elected ones like yourself, but in the community as well,
for us all to step up and be leaders as well.
But this must be hard for you, as the Prime
minister this country to just be yeah, to be around
for it this week and through it all.
Speaker 3 (08:58):
Yeah, thanks, Christian, But that's my responsibility. My thoughts are
really with those greeting their loved ones. That is my priority.
They are doing it tough. I've been to homes of
people in the last couple of days as well as
having meetings as well, and my thoughts are with them today.
Speaker 2 (09:22):
Yeah, beautifully said, it's been the reaction of what's happened
since Sunday night has been nothing but humbling. It actually
reminds us that there are way more good people in
the world than evil and it's an aberration that happened
on Sunday night.
Speaker 1 (09:34):
It's not the norm here in Australia.
Speaker 2 (09:36):
And all these everyday heroes that acted that took action,
you know, and I can't even imagine what it's like
to be in a situation like that.
Speaker 1 (09:43):
None of us know how we'd really handled it.
Speaker 2 (09:45):
But don't you think it's also been humbling in the
wake of that, just the day to day how people
have reacted to support each other. There's something really beautiful
and moving about it.
Speaker 3 (09:56):
It is Christian. Indeed, we are overwhelmingly a great nation,
and we're a great nation because we're a great people,
and people will come together. We will overcome this.
Speaker 1 (10:09):
Well.
Speaker 2 (10:09):
I moved here seven years ago and I think Australia
is such an amazing country and I'm proud to be
living in Australia. I think you asked all the lucky company.
They are a lucky country. It's an amazing place full
of amazing people and kind hearted people. And we saw
that Sunday, and we've seen it over the last couple
of days and we will see it over the next
couple of days as well. Australia will I don't want
to say bounce back because it's morning right now. We're
(10:32):
all feeling this, but there's also an air of defiance
and actually acts like Sunday night. They don't change anything,
they don't get to take our joy from us.
Speaker 3 (10:42):
Indeed, thank you very much, Christian.
Speaker 2 (10:45):
Take care, promise to thank you for bringing up some
time and speaking to the show today, and have a
happy Christmas.
Speaker 3 (10:49):
Thank you. The Christian O'Connell Show podcast,
I Heeart podcasts.
Speaker 2 (00:10):
You can hear more Gold one I four point three
podcast playlist and listen live on the free iHeart app
That anything good.
Speaker 3 (00:19):
Hey, this is the Christian O'Connell Show podcast.
Speaker 2 (00:27):
We've got the Prime Minister live on the line now,
welcome to the show. Prime Minister, good morning, Thank you
very much for joining us. I first of all, I
thought it'd be really nice if you can offer a
message to us. So are still very shook up from
the events on Sunday. What words of hope and support
can you offer us right now, Prime Minister.
Speaker 3 (00:49):
That Australia will come through this. We are a brave
country and this is the darkest of times for an
anti Semitic terrorist attack to occur on a Hanikah celebration.
Hanikah celebrates the first world of light, the victoria of
(01:10):
a light over darkness, and we will come through this,
will come through it together with national unity. And my
heart goes out to the community today and every day.
But today particularly will be a difficult day with the
first funerals underway, and how.
Speaker 1 (01:28):
Do we stick together right now as a community.
Speaker 2 (01:31):
Already you're seeing these incredible scenes of people queuing for
hours to donate blood. People want to help, people wanted
to support each other. We want to feel closer to
each other right now, don't we?
Speaker 3 (01:42):
We do? And last night the Governor General hosted an
event at Admiralty House and there was lots of hugging
and just warm embraces with leaders of the Jewish community,
with people across the political spectrum who came together last night.
(02:05):
And it is a difficult period. The Australians are reaching out.
Australians are lighting candles in their front windows as a
symbol of Hanaker and a symbol of the victory of light.
Australians are queuing in their tens of thousands to donate
(02:25):
blood in order to assist people. And I think people
are engaging with each other about the values that matter.
What terrorists seek to do is to pit Australian against
Australians and to promote division in the world. And this
(02:47):
is an Isis inspired attack that cannot be allowed to succeed.
And the way that we hurt that attack is by
uniting is coming together as Australians and providing support, particularly
for the Jewish community at this difficult time.
Speaker 2 (03:08):
When you took about the darkness and the light and
the meaning for Hannahker as well. The real light that
also came on Sunday was incredible. I don't think any
of us have seen anything. And the man of the
moment Australian of the armed and I think you actually
went and saw him and visited him.
Speaker 1 (03:25):
How is he? Everyone wants to know how is he?
Speaker 3 (03:28):
I did see him yesterday in hospital. He's being operated
on today. It's quite an extensive operation. He had substantial wounds,
but was in a very upbeat mood. He's a very
humble man. His parents are visiting him at the moment
(03:53):
and they were very proud, quite rightly of their son.
This is someone who ran towards danger, put himself at risk,
and we know that there were a number of heroes
as well on Sunday. He armored is someone who I
(04:14):
think shows the best of the Australian character. He didn't
think of himself, he thought of others and as a
direct result of his intervention, lives were saved.
Speaker 2 (04:25):
Yeah, it's an incredible, incredible story, and you're right, he
embodies the best of us. That's Australia, that's Australian values,
isn't it.
Speaker 3 (04:35):
It certainly is And This is someone who wor was
with friends heading down to Bondo Beach on a Sunday
afternoon to get a cup of coffee was what he
wanted to do. He came across the festival that was
taking place and someone invited him to join. It was
(04:57):
a very open celebration of joy, and so he was
aware that of the festival taking place, and then shots
started to ring out and mister l Armored intervened in
a way that made an enormous difference.
Speaker 2 (05:20):
Yeah, and if you must be aware of this, go
fund me, Paige. I think it's up to two and
a half million dollars, not just from Australians once the
support him from all over the world.
Speaker 3 (05:30):
Well, he's got a small business that is currently not
able to operate because he's in hospital and that will
certainly help. But indeed, not just Armored, but people who
lost their lives. There are heroic stories in today's news.
Boris and Sophia German, a married couple in their sixties
(05:52):
who tried to take down one of the governments right
at the very beginning of the attack before they were murdered.
Ruben Morrison, who threw bricks at the government heading towards
danger before he was murdered. These heroes, and I think
(06:12):
at a time when you look at the events of
Sunday with shock and horror, this is of some comfort
about what the true Australian character is.
Speaker 2 (06:27):
Yeah, beautifully said, and I think a lot of people
listening right now as well, a Prime minister is there
is obviously a need for unity as well. But are
there gaps in the gun laws? We're in this situation
where a guy living in the inner suburbs, what does
he need a license for to have six guns? Are
there gaps in the laws that need to change.
Speaker 3 (06:47):
Well, clearly in my view there are a need for tightening.
These gun laws were introduced, of course in nineteen ninety
six in the wake of the Port Arthur massacre. If
we need to do anything to tighten them, up state
and territory governments, so I brought together in order to
make sure we do just that.
Speaker 2 (07:08):
Great, that's good to hear that actually, and I think
a lot of people as well. You know, this time
of year, obviously Hannaka is still going on. There are
going to be festivals, are going to be public gatherings,
there's summertime, some of holidays are coming up soon, you know.
I'm looking out over the Harbor Bridge, you know, and
I'm thinking about the fireworks on New Year's Eve?
Speaker 1 (07:24):
Can people feel safe gathering in public?
Speaker 3 (07:29):
Look, we need to make sure that fear doesn't win
here and that people continue to conduct their lives and
express their sense of community. These are there is an
increasingly dangerous world that we live in tragically, but we
(07:52):
can't allow fear to win. That's what that's what the
terrorists seek. And you know the actions of Australians I
don't think will be cowered by what has occurred. Yeah,
these people evil, they were cowards and their actions were
(08:16):
an atrocity.
Speaker 2 (08:19):
Thank you very much for speaking us today. I can
tell that actually, you know, in a job like yours,
you deal with some a situations, difficult situations, horrific situations.
But I get the feeling talking to you today, Prime Minister,
even you're struggling with this and also the stuff that
you would have been across the last couple of days.
Speaker 1 (08:34):
It must be heavy for you as well on a
personal level.
Speaker 2 (08:37):
And I know you're stoic and I thought you spoke
very very well Monday, And this is a time for
leaders in all shapes and forms to step up, not
just elected ones like yourself, but in the community as well,
for us all to step up and be leaders as well.
But this must be hard for you, as the Prime
minister this country to just be yeah, to be around
for it this week and through it all.
Speaker 3 (08:58):
Yeah, thanks, Christian, But that's my responsibility. My thoughts are
really with those greeting their loved ones. That is my priority.
They are doing it tough. I've been to homes of
people in the last couple of days as well as
having meetings as well, and my thoughts are with them today.
Speaker 2 (09:22):
Yeah, beautifully said, it's been the reaction of what's happened
since Sunday night has been nothing but humbling. It actually
reminds us that there are way more good people in
the world than evil and it's an aberration that happened
on Sunday night.
Speaker 1 (09:34):
It's not the norm here in Australia.
Speaker 2 (09:36):
And all these everyday heroes that acted that took action,
you know, and I can't even imagine what it's like
to be in a situation like that.
Speaker 1 (09:43):
None of us know how we'd really handled it.
Speaker 2 (09:45):
But don't you think it's also been humbling in the
wake of that, just the day to day how people
have reacted to support each other. There's something really beautiful
and moving about it.
Speaker 3 (09:56):
It is Christian. Indeed, we are overwhelmingly a great nation,
and we're a great nation because we're a great people,
and people will come together. We will overcome this.
Speaker 1 (10:09):
Well.
Speaker 2 (10:09):
I moved here seven years ago and I think Australia
is such an amazing country and I'm proud to be
living in Australia. I think you asked all the lucky company.
They are a lucky country. It's an amazing place full
of amazing people and kind hearted people. And we saw
that Sunday, and we've seen it over the last couple
of days and we will see it over the next
couple of days as well. Australia will I don't want
to say bounce back because it's morning right now. We're
(10:32):
all feeling this, but there's also an air of defiance
and actually acts like Sunday night. They don't change anything,
they don't get to take our joy from us.
Speaker 3 (10:42):
Indeed, thank you very much, Christian.
Speaker 2 (10:45):
Take care, promise to thank you for bringing up some
time and speaking to the show today, and have a
happy Christmas.
Speaker 3 (10:49):
Thank you. The Christian O'Connell Show podcast,
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