National Cabinet pledges tougher gun laws after Bondi Beach terror attack — as it happened

Lanyon passes over to NSW Premier Chris Minns, who says he has met with Jewish community leaders and spoken to several on the phone, offering the community's support.

"This is a shocking, shocking act of violence, as we've said, and it needs to be met with an overwhelming government, community and police response."

Minns says Operation Shelter will be "overwhelming" and while it may inconvenience people in the coming days, it was vital to send a clear message to affected communities that they had a right to safety, and to celebrate the Hanukkah period.

Operation Shelter was set up in 2023 in the wake of the October 7 attack. It has predominantly focused on preventing and investigating antisemitic hate crimes.

— Alex Gallagher

NSW Police commissioner Mal Lanyon reiterates that a 24-year-old male is in hospital, and that "based on his medical condition, it is likely that person may face criminal charges".

He also calls for calm, and says "retribution or acts against any part of any community will not be accepted".

"We will have a significant policing presence. This is a time for the community to come together. This is a time that police will take action to make sure the community feels safe."

Lanyon said earlier that more than 320 police officers had been deployed as part of Operation Shelter, and that number will increase.

— Alex Gallagher

A Sydney man of Pakistani background fears his life is in danger and is afraid to leave the house after being mistakenly accused of being one of the two gunmen allegedly behind the mass shooting at Bondi Beach.

NSW Police say the alleged perpetrators were a father and son aged 50 and 24. One of the alleged gunmen is reported by various media outlets to be Naveed Akram, a man from the city's south-west. NSW Police has not yet publicly identified the gunmen.

A migrant from Pakistan, also named Naveed Akram, who arrived in Australia in 2018, took to social media to issue a plea for help after his photos were linked to reports of the attack.

The Pakistani-born Akram, who runs his own business, condemned the attack in a social media video late on Sunday night.

He said "propaganda accounts" were circulating his social media pictures and were associating them with the report of one of the alleged gunmen.

"As per media reports, one of the shooters their name is Naveed Akram. My name is also Naveed Akram. Unfortunately our names are the same," he said in Urdu, in a video posted on X. "I just want you to know that that person is a different person," he added. "That is not me, and I have nothing to do with that incident or that person."

Read more on that story here:

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Pakistani man falsely identified as alleged Bondi Beach gunman says he is 'scared'

— Rashida Yosufzai

If you're feeling distressed after yesterday's attack, support is available.

You can access crisis support by calling Lifeline on 31 11 14 or texting 0477 13 11 14, the Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467 and Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800 (for young people aged up to 25).

More information and support with mental health is available at beyondblue.org.au and on 1300 22 4636. Young people can also access support via headspace and on 1800 650 890.

Embrace Multicultural Mental Health supports people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

Australia's peak body for psychologists, the Australian Association of Psychologists (AAPi), also has some guidance, acknowledging that "thousands of people" will have their mental health impacted by the attack.

AAPi president Sahra O'Doherty says, besides seeking support from professional mental health resources, it's important to connect with loved ones and support one another.

"In a tragedy that has tried to divide the community, connecting with the community is more important than ever," she said.

O'Doherty also said people were being "flooded with images from the attack" and that too much exposure could increase their sense of anxiety or threat.

— Alex Gallagher

Australian Association of Psychologists (AAPi) director Daniela McCann says it's natural for children to feel unsettled by incidents such as Sunday's attack.

"The best thing parents can do is to listen, answer questions honestly but gently, and reassure children about their safety. Keeping routines and limiting exposure to distressing news can help," McCann says.

"If parents notice ongoing distress, it's important to seek professional support."

When speaking to children about yesterday's attack, McCann says it's important to acknowledge their awareness and feelings and to recognise they may have questions or worries.

She encouraged parents to be open to conversations and to validate children's feelings — whether that's fear, sadness, confusion or anger — and to tailor conversations to their child's age and development:

• Young children: Give simple, honest explanations. Avoid graphic details. Reassure them about their safety and the actions adults take to protect them.
• Older children and teens: They may seek more detailed information and have complex emotions. Encourage discussion, correct misinformation, and talk about broader issues of safety and community response. This may include information on Australia's gun laws, extreme groups and religious persecution.

McCann recommends allowing children to ask questions, reassuring them of their safety, limiting media exposure, maintaining routines, watching for signs of distress, and encouraging positive action. She also says it's important for parents to take care of themselves and seek support if needed.

Readers seeking support with mental health can contact Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636. More information is available at beyondblue.org.au. Embrace Multicultural Mental Health supports people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

— Alex Gallagher

Calls for Australians to donate blood in the wake of the attack have been met with an "incredible response from the community", according to the Red Cross' blood donation service Lifeblood.

"We're so appreciative to people who have come forward, and of course, our thoughts are with the injured and their families, and those who have lost loved ones," spokesperson Jess Willet told SBS News this morning.

Willet said a lot of centres are full at the moment, and that Lifeblood is looking at opening up more appointments. If your local donor centre is full, consider nearby centres, and also consider future needs.

"We do need blood donors every day, so if you can't get in this week, Christmas is a particularly critical time of year, and we'd encourage people to look ahead and book maybe next week or the week after."

The Lifeblood website is also currently down because of the number of people trying to make an appointment. People are also able to make an appointment through Lifeblood's call centre on 13 14 95.

Willet says people should not simply show up at centres, as Lifeblood is seeing long queues.

— Alex Gallagher, Rania Yallop

A father and son were behind the mass shooting, police have revealed.

The father, a 50-year-old man, was killed at the scene, while the 24-year-old is in hospital in police custody.

Multiple media outlets have named one of the gunmen.

SBS News has not been able to independently confirm his identity, and police have not yet publicly identified him.

Here's everything we know so far about the pair, including how they were able to get their hands on the firearms.

— Rashida Yosufzai

Opposition leader Sussan Ley has just held a press conference in Sydney to talk about the Bondi attack.

She said Sunday's attack will be "burned into the nation's soul", calling it the darkest day since the Port Arthur massacre in 1996 that killed 35 people.

"Those who saw the murderous massacre first-hand and lost loved ones will be changed forever. Children who were there to celebrate their faith and their community have learnt too young what it means to feel unsafe," Ley said.

Bondi Beach is a "symbol of Australia" and the attack is a "desecration against us all", she said.

Ley said she spoke with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese last night and offered Coalition support for state and federal agencies, and she was told she would receive necessary security briefings from Australian agencies and police.

Opposition leader Sussan Ley said Sunday's attack at Bondi Beach would be "burned into the nation's soul". Source: AAP / Steven Markham

Ley said there was "palpable anger" among the community in Australia because antisemitism has been "left to fester" in recent years, citing attacks against synagogues and the vandalism of Jewish homes, and accusing universities of not doing enough to combat antisemitism.

"Everything must change from today in how governments respond," Ley said, adding the prime minister should commit to implementing all the recommendations of antisemitism envoy Jillian Segal's report in July this year.

That report contained several recommendations, such as consistently applying the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's definition of antisemitism, strengthening legislation to counter "hateful and intimidating conduct", and monitoring of media organisations to encourage fair and accurate reporting.

It also suggested increased funding for security at Jewish schools, synagogues and community centres, developing a 'report card' assessing how universities prevent and respond to acts of antisemitism, and stripping public funding from universities, arts institutions and public broadcasters perceived to not be sufficiently combating antisemitism.

At the time, Albanese welcomed the plan and said the government would review its recommendations, but it has not given a formal response yet.

— Alex Gallagher

In the immediate aftermath of the attack yesterday, misinformation and disinformation started spreading on social media and elsewhere online about details of the shooting.

Misinformation is false information that is spread without the intent of misleading others, and is often mistakenly shared by someone who believes the content to be accurate.

Disinformation is deliberately fabricated or misleading information shared by someone to deceive people or sway public opinion. That can become misinformation if widely distributed.

The eSafety Commissioner has advice on how to tell if information, images and videos posted online might be fake.

You should seek out information online from a trustworthy source, such as major national or state media services and government websites. Ask yourself if quotes make sense or if they appear to miss the wider context, if the content seems believable, and if there is enough evidence and reasoning provided to justify claims or conclusions. Does the information shared expressly promote a political agenda or worldview?

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You can't trust everything you read online. Here's how to spot misinformation

When it comes to visual content shared online, check if photos look real or could have been altered using an app or software. You can also do a reverse image search through a platform like Google Images or TinEye to see if a photo appears elsewhere online with a different name, description or context.

False footage may have blurring, cropped effects or pixelation, or contain glitches, sections of lower quality or changes in the lighting and background. It might have badly synced or mismatching sound, or irregular blinking and movement that seems unnatural.

SBS News' Code of Practice obliges us not to knowingly mislead audiences in the presentation of factual material, and to apply reasonable efforts to ensure factual material is gathered and presented with due accuracy.

As the aftermath of the attack develops and more information comes to light, SBS News will continue to verify details through official channels such as the police and government.

— Alex Gallagher

Cities around the world, including Berlin, London, and New York, have increased security at Hanukkah events following the attack.

Berlin police said they were ramping up measures around the Brandenburg Gate, where a large electric menorah is being lit to mark the first night of Hanukkah.

New York mayor Eric Adams said on X extra protection was being deployed for Hanukkah celebrations and synagogues in New York City.

Poland and France have also announced there will be a greater security presence at Jewish places of worship over Hanukkah.

— Reuters News Agency

Members of the community have gathered at Bondi Beach to mourn those lost in the attack, laying flowers, candles and other tributes.

Here are a few photos from this morning.

Mourners have gathered on Bondi Beach at first light after yesterday's shooting. Source: AAP / Dean Lewins

People have gathered at Bondi, where police are still investigating Sunday's attack. Source: AAP / Dean Lewins

Police are continuing to work at Bondi Beach as crowds gather. Source: Getty / Bloomberg

Mourners have left candles and other tributes near the site of the attack. Source: AAP / Dean Lewins

Flowers and other tributes have been placed at Bondi Pavilion. Source: Getty / George Chan

Flags will be flown at half-mast across the country. Source: AAP / Dean Lewins

There has been an outpouring of grief, shock and condolences from around the world in the wake of the attack.

Some of the responses include New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and United Kingdom Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

We brought you the news earlier that US President Donald Trump and King Charles have also expressed their sympathy to those affected.

"I am shocked by the distressing scenes at Bondi, a place that Kiwis visit every day," Luxon said.

"My thoughts, and the thoughts of all New Zealanders, are with those affected."

Zelenskyy wished for a quick recovery for those injured.

"We express condolences to the families and loved ones of those killed and wish a swift and full recovery to all those who were wounded.

"Terror and hatred must never prevail, they must be defeated everywhere and every time."

— Cameron Carr

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has met with police at Bondi police station this morning.

It is located roughly 400m from the scene, with officers from the station among the first responders.

Anthony Albanese visited the scene where he laid flowers at the Bondi Pavilion at Bondi Beach. Source: AAP / Dean Lewins

Albanese then walked parts of Bondi Beach, the scene of last night's attack. He stopped at the Bondi Pavilion to place pink flowers in front of its gate.

— Ewa Staszewska

It's a chilly night in Hammersmith, West London.

Fifty or so people are huddled together around a giant, illuminated menorah, waiting for it to be lit.

Around them are a dozen or so police officers in high-vis jackets. Several more are in plain clothes, blending into the crowds doing their Christmas shopping.

It's the first night of Hanukkah, normally a time for celebration. But news of the Bondi attack has members of the Jewish community feeling nervous.

Several police officers were present at the event in West London. Source: SBS / Ben Lewis

"It was a terribly shocking and awful thing to wake up to this morning,” says Laura Janes, a local councillor and member of a nearby synagogue.

"As soon as we thought about it and reflected on it, it seemed more important than ever that we go ahead, of course we take precautions, we think carefully about how to manage it, but at this time community, peace, hope and light are more important than ever."

This is billed as a community event; a chance for Jews, those of other faiths and those of none to celebrate the festive season.

Sef Townsend, a founding member of the Community of Jews and Muslims, spoke at the service. Source: SBS / Ben Lewis

At one point, a passerby yells 'Free Palestine!', prompting some of the police officers to investigate the source. None of those attending the service flinched.

Sef Townsend spoke at the service on behalf of his synagogue. He's a founding member of the Community of Jews and Muslims, which organises cross-cultural events.

"Both Jewish communities and Muslim communities are having problems at the moment because of this terrible conflict in the Middle East. We stand together with Jews and Muslims. We came tonight because we're standing with our cousins in Australia," he said.

With the menorah lit, doughnuts were handed out to children, while the men and women formed separate dance circles.

Determined, they said, not to let an act of hatred stop what's meant to be a day of celebration.

— Chief international correspondent Ben Lewis, reporting from London

The alleged perpetrators targeted people who had gathered for a Hanukkah celebration that was being held in a grassy area adjacent to the Bondi Beach shoreline.

Footage showed them firing from a footbridge above a car park a short distance north of the beach.

Source: SBS

NSW Premier Chris Minns has been asked whether he will make changes to gun laws in the state if necessary.

"The short answer is yes. We're looking at this right now. We're in the early stages of this investigation," he said.

"New South Wales police need to provide all the details of this inquiry to the government, but I made it clear last night that we'll take every step we possibly can to keep our community safe, and we'll be looking at law reform along that route."

Minns said everything must be done to ensure this never happens again, which will "almost certainly" include law reform alongside a comprehensive police response, but that it will also mean confronting racism and antisemitism in the community.

— Alex Gallagher

Anthony Albanese is asked for his response to comments made by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in which he accused Albanese and the federal government of not doing enough to combat antisemitism in Australia.

Albanese declines to directly respond, instead saying: "This is a moment for national unity. This is a moment for Australians to come together. That's precisely what we'll be doing."

— Alex Gallagher

NSW Police commissioner Mal Lanyon says police have increased the number of police involved in Operation Shelter, which was set up in 2023 in the wake of the October 7 attack.

The operation is designed to "provide comfort to the Jewish community", and has predominantly focused on preventing and investigating antisemitic hate crimes.

"We'll make sure we're highly visible at places of worship, places that are known to be frequented by the Jewish community, but very much in those suburbs we know we have a large Jewish population," Lanyon says.

Lanyon says 328 officers will be on the ground this morning as part of the operation, who will work closely with the Jewish community "to make sure that we both prevent but also respond to anything that may happen".

— Alex Gallagher

NSW Police commissioner Mal Lanyon says a joint counter-terrorism operation called Operation ARQUS has been launched to investigate the attack, with NSW Police "working closely with our Commonwealth partners".

Lanyon says there were two alleged perpetrators — a 50-year-old man and a 24-year-old who were father and son. The father is deceased and the son is in critical but stable condition in hospital. He says police are not looking for a third offender.

Lanyon says police conducted two search warrants last night, one at Bonnyrigg and a second at Campsie.

The 50-year-old male was a licensed firearms holder and had six registered firearms. Police have recovered six firearms from the scene and also through the search warrant at Campsie, and investigators will determine if those six firearms are the six that were licensed to the man and were used in the attack.

— Alex Gallagher