Australian PM Orders Intelligence Review After Deadly Bondi Beach ISIS Attack
December 21, 2025
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has ordered a thorough review of the police and national intelligence agencies. This comes after the deadly Bondi Beach attack last Sunday. "The ISIS-inspired atrocity last Sunday reinforces the rapidly changing security environment in our nation," Albanese said. "Our security agencies must be in the best position to respond."
Fifteen people were killed when two gunmen opened fire at a Jewish festival at Sydney's Bondi Beach. The attack, declared a terrorist incident, was carried out by a father-son duo inspired by "Islamic State ideology." Naveed Akram, 24, faces 59 charges, including 15 counts of murder and one for committing a terrorist act. His father Sajid died in the attack.
A national day of reflection was held to mourn the victims. At 18:47 local time on Sunday, a minute of silence marked exactly one week since the shooting began.
The intelligence review is set to finish by April 2026. Albanese said, "The Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet will examine whether federal law enforcement and intelligence agencies have the right powers, structures, processes and sharing arrangements in place to keep Australians safe in the wake of the horrific antisemitic Bondi Beach terrorist attack."
In response to the tragedy, Australia plans to tighten gun laws. New South Wales’ premier is pushing to crack down on hate speech. On Sunday, Bondi hosted a memorial event.
Governor-General Samantha Mostyn spoke at a vigil by the National Council of Jewish Women Australia. She said, "The entire Jewish community, whether it's here in Bondi or across our nation, you are part of the belonging story and the success of this country."
Despite sorrow, life at Bondi partially returned to normal. Surfers, runners, and dog-walkers filled the promenade. Children’s surf club activities, known locally as "nippers," resumed, showing community strength.
North Bondi Surf Life Saving president Steve Larnach said they consulted the Jewish community before continuing the nippers events. "We did ask their opinion, they were very supportive of us going ahead but also extremely grateful for what we did," he told the BBC.
Lifeguard volunteers were among the first to provide aid during the shooting. Some have been called heroes, including one photographed running with a first aid kit from a nearby beach.
Geraldine Nordfelft, who brought her daughter to nippers, said, "it was really important to return to whatever this new normal is as soon as we could. You have to return, you can't stay away, you can't let fear win. The beach is the Australian way of life and we all love it."
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Tags:
Bondi Beach Attack
Australia
Terrorism
Intelligence Review
Anthony albanese
Isis
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