Opening remarks: i4Give Festival

I begin by acknowledging the traditional owners of the land on which we meet. I pay my respects to their elders past, present and emerging.

And I recommit, on behalf of the government I lead, to the implementation of the Uluru Statement from the Heart in full, including constitutional recognition for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Can I particularly acknowledge the members of the Abdallah, Sakr and Kassas families who are here with us today.

Can I acknowledge the former Prime Minister, Scott Morrison, my federal colleague, Andrew Charlton, the Premier of New South Wales, Dominic Perrottet, the Leader of the Labor Party in New South Wales, Chris Minns.

Can I acknowledge also Donna Davis and other members of council who are here and Members of Parliament who are here.

I am deeply honoured to be with you all here today at the first i4Give Festival for the third year of i4Give.

And I congratulate Parramatta Council on the leadership as well in hosting this event.

But particularly to Danny and Leila, your leadership is inspirational. And frankly, you are just remarkable Australians.

It was my great honour to go to London for the funeral of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth with Danny at the end of last year.

Danny, of course, represented his nation with the distinction and dignity that you would expect and he was a great member of the delegation.

Today brings together family and community - joined in sorrow and grief, united by love and by hope.

On the 1st of February 2020, four beautiful children were cruelly snatched away from the world: Antony, Angelina, Sienna and Veronique.

Their bright, beautiful lives, full of promise and possibility, brought to a sudden and a tragic end.

We remember today all the joy and laughter they brought into the lives of those who knew and loved them. The pride. The delight that comes with a child.

And we embrace in our hearts those still living with the pain and loss. Theirs is a grief that may soften with time, but it will never truly fade.

Yet in the midst of this sadness, there is something quite beautiful here today as well - and so powerful.

Danny and Leila Abdallah have done something quite extraordinary.

They have chosen to forgive.

Instead of raging at the injustice of their loss, they found the strength, the courage and, above all, the humanity to choose a path of grace.

Danny put it this way: '[My family] would either be stuck in the valley of pain and grief or I could lead them to the high ground.'

Danny, with this movement, you and Leila have led and inspired so many others.

In Australia and around the world, your story and your example has helped people look into their hearts and find forgiveness.

I had the privilege of travelling with Danny last year. He was among those chosen to represent Australia - ten distinguished Australians.

Not long before that, the Abdallahs were invited by Pope Francis to address The World Meeting of Families in the Vatican.

Their story of forgiveness is straight from the heart of their Catholic faith.

A faith that says: Love your enemies. Forgive others as you have been forgiven.

Thank you, Danny and Leila, and Liana, Alex, Michael, and baby Selina, for sharing this day with us. And the three children did so well up on stage before.

Thank you for sharing your story and with it, your sorrow and your joy, your grace and, importantly, your absolute courage.

I hope on i4Give day all of us can search our hearts, and find what you've found in yours: the strength to forgive, and the peace and healing that forgiveness brings.

I wish everyone a fantastic day today.

ENDS

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