The State Government will now go it alone, agreeing to requests to commemorate the anniversary of the 2002 Bali bombings.
The Daily Telegraph has learned that this Friday will now become the official NSW Terrorism and Homicide Victims Remembrance Day.
Premier Morris Iemma is believed to have agreed to the event after pressure from victims's groups and families, in particular Elaine Dawson whose sister and brother-in-law were murdered and nephew seriously wounded in 2000.
Ms Dawson has been lobbying the Federal Government for two years to have a national day of remembrance for victims of murder and terrorism.
Ms Dawson, who wrote to Prime Minister John Howard to no avail, has been snubbed by every state. Mr Howard told her a national remembrance day was something the states would have to do individually.
Since February Mr Iemma has been urging his state counterparts to agree to a nationwide day.
"If it brings additional peace to just one victim's family, then it is worth it," Mr Iemma said.
"NSW has discussed this proposal on a national level before and we would invite any other interested jurisdictions to join us in a formal declaration of October 12. This day marks the anniversary of the 2002 Bali bombings.
"As the anniversary of the first Bali bombing, October 12 is the most suitable date to remember those who died or were injured as a result of terrorism or violence."
Martha Jabor from the Homicide Victims of Crime Support Group said she had been negotiating with the Bali families who claim they have been waiting for this day.
Australian-born Natalie Juniardi, who lost her Indonesian husband John in the 2002 bombing, will mark the day with her two young sons in Bali. Since the bombing, she has stayed in Bali and is not leaving the place she has spent all her adult years. "I love it here. It's my home," she said.
fromhttp://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,22548256-421,00.html
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