To: National Australia Day Council
Ahmed el Ahmed for Australian of the Year
Ahmed el Ahmed is already national hero. He put his life on the line and copped bullets to protect others. What could be a greater example of Aussie spirit than this? The South Coast Labour Council represents workers in Southern NSW and is a voice for working people across all industries and we reckon Ahmed should be a shoe in for the award and be given recognition he deserves. That's why we are nominating him for Australian of the year.
Why is this important?
The South Coast Labour Council condemns the horrific massacre committed on Sunday 14th December and calls it out as an antisemitic hate crime committed against the Jewish community and an attack on Australian society as a whole. Our deepest condolences and sympathies are with all the victims, friends and families. Our gratitude to the emergency services and those who assisted on the day and continue to support the community in the aftermath.
The South Coast Labour Council stands with the Jewish community and all communities that make our multicultural Australia the great country that it is. Our community stands united and we won’t be divided by race, religion or the colour of our skin. An attack on one community is an attack on all communities. The slaughter of innocent men, women and children is an act of barbarism and has no place in Australia or indeed anywhere in the world. Accordingly, it is resolved to:
- Reach out to our Jewish community through our movement and offer our support and solidarity.
- Support the Prime Minister and National Cabinet’s call for urgent reforms to gun laws and gun control.
- Renew our emphasis on education to combat antisemitism and all forms of racism. Adopt a zero tolerance of racism and demand it be an enforced standard across our community, media, education, public and private institutions including for our politicians. Too often we hear ugly racist sentiments dressed up as public policy.
- Seek advice and learn from the efforts of those in our movement from our region who have confronted similar tragedies such as the Christchurch massacre in 2019 when an Australian gunman killed 51 members of the Islamic community praying in a Mosque.
- Nominate Ahmed el Ahmed, one of the heroes of Bondi, for Australian of the year. He was shot while disarming a terrorist and in so doing illustrated for all the world to see an extraordinary example of what makes an Australian. Ahmed el Ahmed, a Syrian born Australian Muslim saving lives because, in his own words that is what a “human being does” and he would do it all over again. We thank you Ahmed el Ahmed for your courage and humanity.