Snipers in Sydney: Is This the "Fair Go" We Were Promised?

Shadows on the Sails

Reflections on the Day of Mourning — January 22, 2026

Yesterday, a heavy silence fell over the Sydney Opera House. It was a minute meant for memory, a moment to honor those lost to the jihadist terror at Bondi Beach. Among the mourners stood representatives of the Jewish community, including CEO Robert Gregory and former President Dr. David Adler of the AJA, standing in solidarity against a tide of grief.

But the silhouette against the sky was different this time. High atop the iconic white sails, where once a didgeridoo sang out to celebrate Australia Day, there stood a sniper. It is a jarring sight for a nation built on the promise of peace and a "fair go." For those who arrived in the 1960s to escape the scars of post-war Europe, this image represents a heartbreaking shift in the Australian landscape.

"We worked hard for a comfortable retirement in a peaceful land. Now, we see a country where our icons require armed overwatch. It feels as though the political elite have prioritized personal branding over the safety and soul of the people."

While we are grateful to the NSW Government and the police for taking these threats with the seriousness they deserve, the necessity of such measures leaves a bitter taste. It is no wonder that many are turning away from the traditional Labor and Liberal camps, seeking a voice in movements like One Nation. When a sniper on the Opera House becomes our new reality, it is a signal that the current leadership has failed the very people it was meant to protect.

Faith & Justice Reflection

From a progressive Christian perspective, we recognize that the pursuit of peace is inseparable from the pursuit of justice and the protection of the vulnerable. Christ’s call to be peacemakers requires us to confront the reality of hate while fiercely guarding the dignity of every neighbor. This event serves as a somber reminder that our society must return to the values of genuine community and accountability for those in power.

A Prayer for the Nation:
Gracious God, we lift up the families broken by the tragedy at Bondi Beach. We ask for Your protection over our cities and the wisdom for our leaders to act with integrity rather than vanity. May we find our way back to being a land of safety and welcome, where the music of the didgeridoo is never again drowned out by the necessity of a rifle. Amen.