‘Hatred must stop’: Ballina Mayor urges national leadership after Bondi attack
Ballina Shire Mayor Sharon Cadwallader says Australia’s political leaders must do more to confront rising hatred, saying the Prime Minister should have acted sooner to change the national trajectory.
“Regardless of religion, politics or colour, hatred must stop,” Mayor Cadwallader said.
“With enough political will, the current trajectory Australia is on can be turned around, and it must start at the top.”
She said the Prime Minister should have spoken out earlier following the October 7 Hamas attacks.
“He should have said what he said last night much earlier, but he chose not to,” she said.
The Mayor’s comments came as she learned of the deadly shooting at Bondi while attending a community Christmas event in Ballina on Sunday night.
Mayor Cadwallader received the news by text message while residents were gathered for the annual Combined Churches Christmas Carols event on the riverfront, and was among those who left early as details emerged.
“I am deeply saddened by the tragic and senseless act of violence that occurred at Bondi yesterday,” she said.
“On behalf of the Ballina Shire community, I extend my heartfelt condolences to the families and loved ones of those affected, and I hold the Jewish community especially close at this incredibly painful time.”
Mayor Cadwallader said the attack underscored the urgency of confronting hatred and intolerance.
“Hatred, intolerance and violence have no place in our communities, and we must continue to stand united against anti-Semitism in all its forms,” she said.
The Mayor recently attended an anti-Semitism conference on the Gold Coast, and was the only Northern Rivers mayor present.
Her attendance drew criticism from local Greens representatives and members of the public.
During a subsequent interview with ABC North Coast, critical callers were put to air questioning her decision to attend the conference.
Above: Mayor Cadwallader with writer Sharon Sztar at the recent launch of the book ‘Ruptured’ – detailing her fear of living in the local community since the October 7 attacks
Main Image: Ballina celebrated Christmas as news of the Hanukkah terror attack came through, with some including the Mayor leaving early
Mayor Cadwallader was also the only elected official to attend the recent launch of the book Ruptured, which documents the experiences of Jewish women in Australia since the October 7 attacks.
The launch was held at Newrybar Hall in Ballina Shire after organisers were unable to secure what they described as a safe venue in neighbouring Byron Shire.
One chapter in the book is written by Byron Bay author Sharon Sztar, who describes the growing sense of isolation she has felt living in the Northern Rivers since October 7.
In her chapter, Sztar writes that Jewish women in the region began meeting regularly to “nurture our sisterhood”, gathering in monthly circles that helped her “navigate the hurdles of life post October 7”.
“I’ve had nowhere else to take my rising angst, resulting from what has felt like a barrage of bullets as I go about the routine of daily life,” she writes.
She describes feeling increasingly isolated in everyday settings, from overheard conversations in cafés to community events.
“I am no longer a camouflaged Jew. I am all of me, intact and on display,” she writes.
This morning a shocked Sztar told Ballina News Daily that she agreed with Mayor Cadwallader that stronger national leadership was required.
Police say at least 16 people have died following the mass shooting at Bondi Beach yesterday evening, with more than 40 others injured.
A major crime scene remains in place, and detectives from the Joint Counter Terrorism Team are continuing investigations.
