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Australia Holds Day of Reflection After Bondi Beach Attack as PM Orders Security Review

New South Wales will fast‑track bans on extremist symbols with expanded police powers.

Overview

  • Australians observed a minute’s silence at 6:47 p.m. and lit candles nationwide, with flags at half‑mast and a heavily policed memorial at Bondi Beach.
  • Prime Minister Anthony Albanese launched a review of federal police and intelligence agencies, due by the end of April, alongside plans for a national gun buyback and tougher hate‑speech laws.
  • Police say the attack was inspired by Islamic State ideology; Sajid Akram was shot dead at the scene and his son Naveed remains in hospital under guard facing 59 charges including terrorism and murder.
  • NSW will move legislation to ban extremist flags and certain slogans, empower police to require removal of face coverings at protests, and increase penalties, as other states assess similar steps.
  • Public mourning continues with funerals and community tributes; the vast floral memorial at Bondi Pavilion is set to be cleared on Monday as pressure grows for a royal commission into the attack.