Australia’s political and policing leaders have pledged national unity, stronger gun laws and sustained action against antisemitism following what authorities have described as a terrorist attack targeting Jewish Australians at Sydney’s Bondi Beach.
Speaking at a joint press conference in Sydney on Tuesday, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the nation would not allow terror to fracture social cohesion. “My message to Jewish Australians is that we stand with you as a nation. We embrace you at what is a terrible time,” Mr Albanese said.
“These antisemitic terrorist attacks will not be successful with their objective, which is to divide us as a nation.”
Mr Albanese confirmed he had met Ahmed El Ahmed, who intervened during the attack, at St George Hospital earlier in the day. “I thanked him for the lives that he helped to save, and I wished him all the very best with his surgery that he will undertake tomorrow,” the Prime Minister said.
“In the worst of times, we see the best of Australians.”
He also urged those affected to seek mental health support, pointing to expanded federal services. “I encourage all Australians affected by this tragedy to consider accessing the mental health support,” he said, citing Lifeline, Beyond Blue, Kids Helpline, Headspace and Medicare Mental Health Centres.
New South Wales Premier Chris Minns said the state’s response to the “horrifying tragedy” would be comprehensive, long-term and already underway. “Our response to this horrifying tragedy must be comprehensive and has begun already,” Mr Minns said.
“Our approach to this terrible crime in New South Wales is multifaceted.”
Mr Minns outlined four key priorities: counter-terrorism cooperation, combating antisemitism, tightening gun laws and community healing. “I’m determined to bring in the toughest gun laws in Australia and they’ll be significantly tightened in New South Wales,” he said.
“Fighting antisemitism … will not be done in a week or a month. It’s a long-term important project.”
He also appealed for blood donations, revealing a surge in public response. “There has been 50,000 appointments to give blood in New South Wales, which I understand is a fivefold increase,” the Premier said.
“For somebody in trauma they may need 100 individual donations to save their life.”
Support for affected small businesses in Bondi will be announced within 24 hours, he added.
“Part of our job … is to ensure that we lift back up the Bondi community and we give people a place to come together and to return to a semblance of normal life.”
New South Wales Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon confirmed two parallel investigations were underway: a critical incident review and a joint counter-terrorism operation with the Australian Federal Police. “This will be a thorough investigation,” Commissioner Lanyon said.
“I apologise for the disruptions … but I’m sure all of the community understands the importance of investigating this abhorrent matter.”
He confirmed the two suspects had travelled to the Philippines last month, with the purpose of the trip still under investigation, and said a vehicle linked to the younger man contained improvised explosive devices and ISIS flags.
“We continue to work through the motive of this tragedy.”
Commissioner Lanyon also corrected earlier information about the gun licence held by 50-year-old Sajid Akram. “The application lapsed in 2016,” he said of the first licence attempt. “A second Category A/B licence was applied for … and issued in 2023.”
Australian Federal Police Commissioner Krissy Barrett described the attack in stark terms, calling it an act of terrorism inspired by extremist ideology. “This was a barbaric attack against Australians, Jewish Australians,” Commissioner Barrett said.
“On Sunday, Jewish Australians were hunted down in broad daylight at an iconic Australian beach.”
She said early indications pointed to an attack inspired by Islamic State ideology, stressing the distinction between terrorism and religion.
“These are the alleged actions of those who have aligned themselves with a terrorist organisation, not a religion.”
Commissioner Barrett said the investigation would be relentless. “This investigation will be highly visible, precise and it will operate around the clock,” she said.
Addressing criticism of the police response, Premier Minns strongly defended officers at the scene. “The New South Wales Police acted with bravery and integrity. They didn’t take a backward step,” he said.
“Police officers … put their lives on the line to save people in this state.”
At the national level, Mr Albanese confirmed National Cabinet had agreed to strengthen gun laws across jurisdictions. “The very nature of our gun laws means that they are only as strong as the weakest link,” he said.
“That is why we want to make sure that they are strengthened across the country.”
The Prime Minister rejected claims that antisemitism was sidelined in national discussions. “The report is not accurate,” he said.
“We are busy implementing the work of the Antisemitism Envoy and we talked about that yesterday.”
Concluding the press conference, Mr Albanese said the moment demanded unity rather than politics. “This is not a time for politics. This is a time for national unity,” he said.
“What terrorists seek to do is to create division … and we can’t allow their objective to be successful.”
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