Brisbane City Council will donate $10,000 to the family of slain bus driver Manmeet Sharma, Lord Mayor Graham Quirk announced at an emotion-charged council meeting on Tuesday.
Mr Sharma, 29, died after he was set alight at a Moorooka bus stop on Friday in a horrific attack that has shocked the community both in Brisbane and Mr Sharma's native India.
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Members of the Indian community, including Mr Sharma's brother, Amit Sharma, were in the public gallery as the council unanimously passed a condolence motion on Tuesday afternoon.
Cr Quirk's deputy, public transport chairman Adrian Schrinner, broke down as he paid tribute to Ms Sharma, who was engaged to be married.
Cr Schrinner said Mr Sharma's death has shaken everybody in council to the core.
"What makes this so impossible to comprehend," Cr Schrinner said as he fought back tears, "is that the crime that was committed against Manmeet defies logic.
"When an innocent person is taken in such a way, one of the first questions that everyone naturally asks is 'why?' and 'why?' is a question that remains unanswered and 'why' is a question that may never be answered.
"When Manmeet got up on Friday morning and put on his city council uniform and looked in the mirror, he had no possible idea that that day would be his last day on Earth.
![Deputy Mayor Adrian Schrinner wipes away tears after his speech during a 'Condolence Motion' for Manmeet Sharma.](/web/20161103061529im_/http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/content/dam/images/g/s/f/o/c/y/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.gsfmue.png/1477986086799.jpg)
"…It's an absolute tragedy and while we can't change what happened, we can't change the events of last week, we can ensure that Manmeet's memory lives on in the people of Brisbane."
Moorooka councillor Steve Griffiths said he wanted to express his community's "shock and remorse" over the events of last Friday.
![Family and friends attend a 'Condolence Motion' at Brisbane City Hall for Manmeet Sharma.](/web/20161103061529im_/http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/content/dam/images/g/s/f/o/4/t/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.gsfmue.png/1477986086799.jpg)
"I found it incredible to be involved as the community has responded to this tragedy," he said.
After speaking, the visibly upset Cr Griffiths had to leave the chamber.
![Brisbane Mayor Graham Quirk asks the community to support Manmeet's family](/web/20161103061529im_/http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/content/dam/images/g/s/f/o/c/x/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.gsfmue.png/1477986086799.jpg)
Greens councillor Jonathan Sri, of Sri Lankan descent, said he could emphasise with Mr Sharma's family both back in India and in the public gallery at City Hall.
"They send them away with the best of intentions and so much love in their hearts and it's a great pain to send your son or daughter to the other side of the world, not knowing when you'll see them again," he said through tears.
![Slain bus driver Manmeet Sharma'](/web/20161103061529im_/http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/content/dam/images/g/s/d/9/0/f/image.related.articleLeadNarrow.300x0.gsfmue.png/1477986828904.jpg)
"And they have the pride that they have made it, they've gone to the West, they've gone to Australia.
"What a joy to talk to our friends in the villages and say how wonderful it is that he is over there, that she is over there, and for this to happen makes me so, so sad.
"I wish there was more I could say or do to ease your pain and there is nothing."
Cr Sri said while he acknowledged there had been no allegation of it being a racially motivated attack, there needed to be more understanding shown towards recent arrivals.
"At the same time, I can't help but remark than still in this city today, many taxi drivers, many bus drivers of subcontinental descent continue to experience racism.
"They face it on a daily basis. They are abused, they they are cursed, they are criticised and I think, in this context and at this time, it is important to remember that we can always do more.
"We don't always make it easy for our brothers and sisters who come here from other countries and, at times like this, I think it's important that we recognise that."
Cr Quirk said the best thing Brisbane people could do was to help Mr Sharma's family and, to that end, the council had contributed $10,000 to the fund it set up on Monday.
"For people of Brisbane, you need to know that Manmeet, although not overly paid as a bus driver – we know that driving buses is not a highly paid profession or occupation in our city – but in spite of that he was supporting his family back home," he said.
"So the best way we can assist his family at this time is not only through our words of condolence and sympathy, but also in a practical way.
"I would just ask today that the people of Brisbane seriously consider making a contribution to the fund set up to support Manmeet's family."
The council has established a fund to support Manmeet's family.
Donations can be made to the Manmeet Sharma Trust to Council Customer Service Centres or via direct debit to:
- Account Name: BCC Manmeet Sharma Trust Fund
- BSB: 064 000
- Account Number: 14715982