Our nation needs to heal, wrapped in our Australian flag.

 
To all in my community, I have two important things I want to talk with you about, because our country desperately needs change.

For all proud Australians, our Australian flag is the fabric that binds us together, the symbol for our national story of courage, conviction, and of compassion.

Whether flown proudly at our nation’s parliament, at our schools, at events, or waved in the hands of so many passionate Aussies, our flag is a reminder to all who love our country what it stands for.

For freedom. For democracy. For unity.

These are not just ideals. They are essential values that need to be protected, they are what makes our country the best in the world, and what keeps our community safe from those that seek to bring us down.

For families from faraway shores fleeing persecution, it is those values that mean they can become Australians and their children can be safe.

We must always strive to uphold and protect the democratic freedoms that unite us.

We need to stand up for Australians everywhere first and foremost, and I want two things from you.

The first is that I want you to join me, and show others in our Lindsay community that you proudly stand up for our shared values of unity, freedom and democracy, by displaying my free I Love Australia Sticker.

For all Lindsay locals, you can collect my I Love Australia Sticker from my office, with details at the end of this message.

The second is about something that has affected us all.

In our nation's darkest hours, our Australian flag raised at half-mast shows our mourning for lives lost to disaster, war and tragedy. Though the year is just new as I write this, the way that last year ended was with a harrowing moment we will never forget.

In the space of minutes, an act of terror took the lives of 15 innocent people gathered peacefully at Bondi Beach for a Hanukkah celebration.

One of the victims was just 10 years old, little Matilda. I spoke at the vigil to mark the terrorist attack, where I acknowledged her parents gave her that name because they wanted her to grow up as a proud Australian.

Amongst the sea of flowers at Bondi were Australian flags to signal our people’s mourning. I will hold that sad moment with me for the rest of my life.

As life settles back to an uneasy normal, Australians are left frightened, disappointed and angry. They are asking questions and are pleading for answers. They don’t want this to be a new normal.

In the last couple of years, the spectre of hatred and disunity has grown, fueled by the Albanese Labor Government’s inaction on antisemitism and hate speech. Our worst fears were confirmed last December with the largest act of terrorism committed on Australian soil.

Rightly, Australians expect our government to listen to the people and show true leadership in times of crisis.

The Coalition has called for a Royal Commission to investigate the Bondi terrorist attack and the national antisemitism crisis as the most appropriate course of action in the wake of this tragedy.

This call has been echoed by the victims’ families, Jewish and community groups, the Human Rights Commissioner, business and religious leaders, legal experts, our nation’s athletes, and even 21 former Labor MPs and prominent members.

Yet Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and his cabinet ministers have so far refused to act, despite violent acts of extremism allowed to go unchecked over the course of the past two years, prior to this abhorrent terrorist attack.

Our nation deserves to heal, so I want to hear from you.

Please let me know whether you support the call for a Royal Commission into the Bondi terrorist attack and the national antisemitism crisis.

Tell me by clicking on the link below and filling out my survey. As always, I will raise the voices of our community in the Australian Parliament.

Do we need a Royal Commission into the Bondi terrorist attack and the antisemitism crisis in Australia?

This year my conviction to serve our community, and our country, is stronger than ever. 

As Australians from all backgrounds, we must stand together with the resolve that we will not let fear and hate divide us, that we will protect our children, and build a nation where every family can live safely.

I am committed to strengthening the ties that bind us as a great nation and to upholding our freedoms.

My very best,  


Melissa McIntosh MP
Federal Member for Lindsay
Shadow Minister for Communications
Shadow Minister for Women

Collect your own I Love Australia Sticker!

For all the Lindsay locals who are just as proud of our country as I am, share the message of unity across our community by collecting your free I Love Australia Sticker from my office.

You can stick it on your car, your letterbox, even your laptop!

Address: 331 High Street, Penrith NSW 2750
Enquiries: Call (02) 4722 0600