CANBERRA – Federal MPs and Senators may not be sitting this week, but Australia’s seat of power is speaking loud and clear in solidarity with the people of France after the weekend’s deadly terror attacks in Paris.
At least 129 people were killed and 200 people injured in a coordinated series of attacks in Paris by eight assailants.
Three days of official mourning are underway in France as investigators in several European countries seek to identify the terrorists.
Just on 8pm AEDT Sunday, Federal Parliament House was bathed in blue, white and red in the French Tricolore.
The gesture followed similar Australian displays of support in lighting up the Sydney Opera House, the MCG and the Adelaide Oval, while the French national colours have shone places such as Shanghai, New York City, London and Jerusalem.
A French flag has also flown over the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
In a joint statement, the Speaker of the House Tony Smith and President of the Senate Stephen Parry praised the spirit of the French people.
“In the wake of this horrific terrorist attack, the Parliaments of our two nations resolve that our mutual commitment to the liberty of free peoples will never be diminished,” they said.
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said the terrorists acting in the name of God were "utterly godless".