Our thoughts are with the people of Paris and indeed all the victims of recent tragedies brought on by war, fear, and hate.
The challenges facing our world are enormous. The events that unfolded in Paris and Beirut over recent days show just how much more work needs to be done to achieve lasting peace and democracy around the globe.
The perpetrators of these heinous crimes must be brought to justice and we must redouble our efforts to find a political solution to the conflict in Syria. But we must resist the urge to lash out in anger or retribution because that risks making a terrible situation worse. Hate is the problem, not the answer.
We are already seeing those who are trying to escape terror and violence in their homelands blamed for the atrocities of others. Now more than ever we need to stand up for people fleeing violence rather than turning our backs on them. If we don't stand up for the families escaping this cruelty and brutality, who will?
We are a movement who believe firmly that there is hope for humanity and the planet. Now more than ever we must come together and not let these hateful actions divide us.
Many of us are reeling from the events of the last week. Our hearts go out to the families and friends who have lost people they love, and whose lives have been irreparably changed.
When Senator Larissa Waters and I go to Paris in two weeks for the global climate talks, we will take messages of hope with us from Australia and deliver them to the French and Lebanese representatives.
I would love to take as many messages as I can from Greens members, supporters and friends around Australia.
I look forward to including your words when we deliver those messages in Paris.
Always with hope,
Richard Di Natale
