Particle.news
Download on the App Store
263 ARTICLES
·
23h ago

Australia Mourns Bondi Victims as PM Orders Security Review

A government-ordered review of security agencies aims to fix gaps exposed by the ISIS-inspired attack.

Image
Screenshots from videos allegedly show Naveed Akram practicing shooting in a rural location, suspected to be in New South Wales.
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 21: Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (C), his wife Jodie Haydon (2nd L), Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles (2nd R) arrive for a memorial for the victims of the mass shooting that took place last week at Bondi Beach on December 21, 2025 in Sydney, Australia. Life slowly returned to normal at Bondi Beach, with people from all walks of life still paying respects and tributes as raw grief and funerals gave way to commemorations. Police say at least 16 people, including one suspected gunman, were killed and more than 40 others injured when two attackers opened fire near a Hanukkah celebration at the world-famous Bondi Beach, in what authorities have declared a terrorist incident. The government is moving to tighten gun laws across the country. (Photo by Izhar Khan/Getty Images)
People attend a ceremony to mark the National Day of Reflection for victims and survivors, at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025, following the Bondi shooting on Dec. 14. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)

Overview

  • Australians observed a national Day of Reflection with a 6:47 p.m. minute of silence and a large Bondi Beach memorial guarded by rooftop snipers and police boats.
  • Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was booed at the vigil and did not speak, while community leaders voiced anger over rising antisemitism and NSW Premier Chris Minns drew applause.
  • Albanese commissioned a review of federal policing and intelligence led by a former spy chief, due by the end of April, to assess powers, structures, information-sharing and licensing gaps.
  • Policy responses include a proposed national gun buyback, with New South Wales set to rush laws banning terrorist symbols and tightening powers over face coverings and hateful slogans.
  • Investigators say the attack was ISIS-inspired; Islamic State flags were found in the suspects’ car, Sajid Akram was shot dead by police, and Naveed Akram remains in hospital custody charged with 59 offences including murder and terrorism.