Heroes, first responders, medical staff and ordinary Australians who stepped forward during the Bondi Beach terror attack will be recognised through a special national honours list, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced.
Speaking in Canberra, Anthony Albanese said he had written to Sam Mostyn requesting the creation of a Special Honours List in response to the antisemitic terrorist attack on 14 December 2025.
“What happened at Bondi showed the worst of humanity – hatred, antisemitism and violence. But it also showed the best,” Albanese said.
“People ran towards danger. They put themselves at risk to help others not because they had to, but because it was the right thing to do.”
If approved, the list would recognise individuals nominated for bravery or meritorious service under the Australian Honours and Awards system for actions taken during and after the attack.
Similar honours lists were established following the Bali bombings and the downing of MH17, with awards expected to be announced in 2026.
“At the worst of times, we see the best of the Australian character,” Albanese said, praising those who confronted the attackers, emergency services who rushed to the scene, and medical professionals who dropped everything to help the injured.
He singled out hospital staff who rushed to St Vincent’s Hospital, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital and other facilities, as well as Australians who made “extraordinary personal sacrifices” in the days that followed.
The mass shooting targeted a Jewish Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach and left 15 people dead. Among those killed were Boris and Sofia Gurman, who were seen in dashcam footage attempting to disarm one of the suspected gunmen.
Another widely recognised act of bravery came from Ahmed Al-Ahmed, a tobacco shop owner who was seriously injured after confronting and disarming an alleged attacker. He has undergone multiple surgeries and was visited in hospital by Albanese, NSW Premier Chris Minns and Opposition Leader Sussan Ley.
Albanese also recounted meeting police officers who travelled long distances or worked through the night to assist.
“That’s the sort of recognition I want to see publicly acknowledged. It’s not why people do it, but it matters that we celebrate our heroes and good deeds.”
In a related announcement, the government confirmed the Jewish Community Foundation, which has been raising funds for victims and families, has been granted community charity status.
Finance Minister Katy Gallagher said work was under way with the Australian Taxation Office to urgently approve its deductible gift recipient status.
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