CANBERRA PAYS RESPECTS TO MANCHESTER VICTIMS

By Renee Bogatko, Image Credit – Governor-General of Australia/Facebook

A moving memorial service has been held in Canberra this morning to honour the 22 victims of the Manchester terror attack.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and Opposition Leader Bill Shorten laid flowers at the service, with Governor-General Sir Peter Cosgrove delivering the address.

“The terrorists want to instil fear into us, divide us, rob us all of the freedoms and liberties that define us. We say to them, this does not happen now, this will never happen,” the Governor-General said.

“On behalf of all Australians, Lynne and I offer the people of the United Kingdom and of Manchester our nation’s deepest and most heartfelt condolences.”

British High Commissioner to Australia, Menna Rawlings, also spoke.

“I’ve attended pop concerts with my teenage daughters in venues in the UK and Australia. So what happened in Manchester felt close, even though it took place thousands of miles away. When we see those bright faces of the 22 victims, we see our own children.”

Some of Canberra’s landmarks are being illuminated in red, white and blue, in support of the victims.

From last night through till Monday, the National Carillon and the Kings Avenue overpass are being lit up.

That’s with the exception of Thursday night, when the Kings Avenue overpass will be lit with Sri Lanka’s national colours to mark the Sri Lanka President’s visit to Australia.

This is what the Kings Avenue Overpass looked like last night/early this morning..

Image Credit – Greg Nelson/ABC News (2015)

You may have also noticed the Union Flag flying at half-mast over the British High Commission in Canberra.

Image Credit – British High Commission Canberra/Facebook

The British High Commission’s also opening a condolence book for members of the public to sign during particular time periods on Thursday.

So far, 7 people have been arrested on suspicion of links with Islamic State, including the father and younger brother of the man believed to have carried out the attack.