Bondi Attack Shocks Australia as PM Orders Intelligence Review

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced a review of police and national intelligence agencies following the Bondi Beach attack in Sydney.

Using an acronym for the Islamic State group, Albanese said, "This brutality inspired by ISIS last Sunday has reinforced the rapidly changing security environment in our country." "Our security agencies must be in the best possible position to respond."

The shooting, in which 15 people were killed after two gunmen opened fire at a Jewish festival, has been declared a terrorist incident. Police say the attackers were inspired by "Islamic State ideology."

Sunday was observed as a national day of mourning.

A minute of silence was held at 18:47 (07:47 GMT) – the time the attack began.

Upon arriving at the event in Sydney, Albanese appeared taken aback as he was greeted with loud booing and jeers.

At least one person in the crowd shouted, "You have blood on your hands," while another man was apprehended by police as he approached the Prime Minister.

Albanese was escorted to the VIP seating area, and his wife, Jodie Haydon, held his hand in support.

The Prime Minister had earlier said the intelligence review, due by April 2026, would focus on ensuring officials are equipped to deal with extremism.

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He said: "The Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet will examine whether federal law enforcement and intelligence agencies have the right powers, structures, processes and sharing arrangements to keep Australians safe following the horrific antisemitic Bondi Beach terrorist attack.''

Following Australia's deadliest mass shooting in nearly three decades, the government has also announced plans to tighten gun control, while the Premier of New South Wales is pushing for a crackdown on hate speech. Suspected gunman Naveed Akram, 24, has been charged with 59 offenses, including 15 counts of murder and one count of committing a terrorist act. His father, Sajid, was killed during the attack.

Earlier on Sunday, Governor-General Samantha Mostyn addressed a memorial service held in Bondi, hosted by the National Council of Jewish Women Australia, where attendees wore white as a symbol of peace.

“The entire Jewish community, whether here in Bondi or across our nation, you are part of this country’s story of belonging and success,” she said. Australians across the country remain in shock and disbelief that something like this could happen.

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But this weekend, in some ways, things returned to normal. The Bondi promenade was once again filled with surfers, runners, and dog walkers, who had returned to their regular routines.

While a somber mood still lingered, children’s surf club activities – known locally as “Nippers” – resumed on Sunday, a sign of the community’s resilience.

Steve Larnach, president of North Bondi Surf Life Saving, said they had considered canceling the regular Nippers events.

“We were also mindful of being sensitive to our Jewish community,” Larnach said.

“We sought their opinion, they were very supportive of us going ahead, but they were also very grateful for what we did.”

Larnach added that lifeguard volunteers were among the first responders to the shooting last week and were providing first aid.

Some surf lifesavers have been hailed as heroes, including one man whose photo was taken running from a neighboring beach with a red first aid kit slung over his shoulder. Geraldine Nordfeldt, who had brought her daughter to the Nippers program, said, "It was so important to get back to this new normal as quickly as possible."

"You have to come back, you can't stay away, you can't let fear win. The beach is part of the Australian lifestyle, and we all love it."

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