{"id":251858,"date":"2025-12-26T05:28:11","date_gmt":"2025-12-26T05:28:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/251858\/"},"modified":"2025-12-26T05:28:11","modified_gmt":"2025-12-26T05:28:11","slug":"australia-announces-bravery-award-for-heroes-of-bondi-terror-attack","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/251858\/","title":{"rendered":"Australia announces bravery award for heroes of Bondi terror attack"},"content":{"rendered":"

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced plans for a national bravery award to recognise civilians and first responders who confronted \u201cthe worst of evil\u201d during an antisemitic terror attack that left 15 dead and has cast a heavy shadow over the nation\u2019s holiday season.<\/p>\n

Mr Albanese said he plans to establish a special honours system for those who placed themselves in harm\u2019s way to help during the attack on a beachside Hanukkah celebration, like Ahmed al Ahmed, a Syrian-Australian Muslim who disarmed one of the assailants before being wounded himself.<\/p>\n

Sajid Akram, who was killed by police during the December 14 attack, and his 24-year-old son Naveed Akram are accused of perpetrating Australia\u2019s worst massacre since 1996.<\/p>\n

\"AustraliaAustralia\u2019s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese participates in a ceremony to mark the National Day of Reflection at Bondi Beach in Sydney (Mark Baker\/AP)\n<\/p>\n

Speaking at a press conference after a Christmas lunch at a charitable foundation in Sydney, Mr Albanese described a Christmas defined by a sharp contrast between extremist violence and the \u201cbest of humanity\u201d.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis Christmas is a different one because of the anti-terror and the terrorist attack motivated by Isis and antisemitism,\u201d Mr Albanese said.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut at the same time as we have seen the worst of humanity, we have seen the bravery and kindness and compassion\u2026 from those who rushed to danger.\u201d<\/p>\n

The proposed honours would recognise those who are nominated and recommended for bravery or meritorious awards under the existing Australian Honours and Awards system for their actions during and after the attack.<\/p>\n

Just a day after pushing through the country\u2019s toughest firearm laws, New South Wales state leader Chris Minns issued a plea for national solidarity, urging Australians to support their Jewish neighbours during what he described as a fortnight of \u201cheartbreak and pain\u201d.<\/p>\n

\u201cEverybody in Australia needs to wrap their arms around them and lift them up,\u201d Mr Minns said at the same press conference on Thursday.<\/p>\n

\n

At the worst of times, we see the best of Australians. <\/p>\n

We will recognise the heroes of the Bondi terrorist attack with new honours and awards. pic.twitter.com\/eyJFX5QCwM<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Anthony Albanese (@AlboMP) December 24, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

\u201cI want them to know that Australians have got their back. We\u2019re in their corner and we\u2019re going to help them get through this.\u201d<\/p>\n

The gun reforms, which passed through the New South Wales state legislature on Christmas Eve, include capping individual gun ownership at four and reclassifying high-risk weapons like pump-action firearms.<\/p>\n

The legislation also tightens licensing by reducing permit terms to two years, restricting ownership to Australian citizens, and removing the review pathway for license denials.<\/p>\n

\u201cGun reform alone will not solve hatred or extremism, but we can\u2019t fail to act on restricting access to weapons,\u201d Mr Minns said earlier in the week when introducing the proposed laws.<\/p>\n

Other new laws will ban the public display of terrorist symbols and grant police expanded powers to restrict public gatherings in specific areas following terrorist incidents.<\/p>\n

Mr Albanese has also announced plans to tighten Australia\u2019s already strict gun laws.<\/p>\n