Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced a review into the police and national intelligence agencies after the Bondi Beach attack in Sydney.
“The ISIS-inspired atrocity last Sunday reinforces the rapidly changing security environment in our nation,” Albanese said, using an acronym for the Islamic State group. “Our security agencies must be in the best 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”.
A national day of reflection is being held on Sunday.
A minute’s silence was observed at 18:47 (07:47 GMT) – the time when the attack began.
Albanese looked startled as he arrived at the event in Sydney as he was met with a loud chorus of boos and jeers.
At least one member of the crowd shouted “blood on your hands” while another was tackled by police after moving towards the prime minister.
Albanese was steered towards the VIP seating area and his wife Jodie Haydon grasped his arm in support.
The prime minister earlier said the intelligence review, due by April 2026, would focus on ensuring authorities were equipped to tackle extremism.
He 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 the wake of Australia’s deadliest mass shooting in almost three decades, the government has also announced plans to tighten gun controls, while the New South Wales premier is pushing to crack down on hate speech.
Suspected gunman Naveed Akram, 24, has been charged with 59 offences, including 15 counts of murder and one of committing a terrorist act. His father Sajid was killed during the attack.
