TRANSCRIPT:
- The death toll from the Bondi Beach mass shooting rises to 16
- Praise for the acts of heroism during the Bondi Beach attack
- Marc Leishman wins the Victorian PGA Championship
The death toll from the Bondi Beach mass shooting has increased to 16.
That number includes a child and also one of the two alleged gunmen.
The other alleged gunman is critically injured in hospital and under police supervision.
38 people are in hospital.
The incident has been declared an act of terrorism, a decision which activates more powers for police to conduct their investigation.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has condemned the shooting as a targeted attack on the Jewish community.
He says community members have every right to feel safe and this attack has damaged that.
"We will dedicate every resource required to making sure you are safe and protected. You are Australian - and all Australians are with you today and every day. There are nights that tear at our nation's soul. In this moment of darkness, we must be each other's light. Australia is stronger than the cowards who attacked innocent people. Australia is braver who seek to make us afraid."
**
Police are investigating the shooting attack at Bondi Beach as terrorist event.
New South Wales Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon says that declaration authorises the use of special police powers as authorities investigate the potential for a third offender.
"Our counter-terrorism command will lead this investigation with investigators from the state crime command. No stone will be left unturned. This type of disgraceful activity, this wanton use of violence, the taking of innocent lives is unacceptable to New South Wales. It is not our way of life. I have been very clear since I have been the Commissioner that as a police force, we won't stand for this type of violence. We will focus to ensure that there is no further threat to the public."
A meeting of National Security Committee has been held [[overnight]] and the decision has been made to keep the national terrorism threat level at probable.
The director-general of national security agency ASIO , Mike Burgess, says the threat level is constantly reviewed.
"So the national terrorism threat level of probable means there is a 50 per cent chance - so 1 in 2. Of course, that doesn't mean there is a connection to an immediate attack following this one. That is subject to our ongoing investigation. We have no indications that is the concern at this stage, but of course we will work 24 by 7 - along with our police colleagues - to make sure that is the case."
**
Australia's religious leaders have issued statements condemning the attack and expressing support for those affected.
The head of the Office of the Ayatollah for Australia and abroad, Mohammad Basim al-Ansari, says there is no place for violence against innocent civilians and the attack is rejected by faith, reason and basic human values.
The Grand Mufti of Australia, Dr Ibrahim Abu Mohamed, says the attack on innocent people during a time of prayer and celebration is "a crime against humanity that cannot be explained under any circumstances".
The National President of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community Australia, Imam Inam-ul-Haq Kauser, says the organisation stands in solidarity with our Jewish brothers and sisters during this time of deep grief and sorrow.
The Maronite Bishop of Australia, New Zealand and Oceania, Bishop Antoine Charbel Tarabay, says he prays for peace and condemns all acts of violence.
**
World leaders have responded to news of the Bondi Beach attack, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu saying all governments must do more to counter antisemitism.
He says he sent Prime Minister Anthony Albanese a letter four months ago warning him to be careful to ensure that Australian government policies do not encourage antisemitism in Australia.
Mr Netanyahu also praised the actions of a Muslim man - Ahmed al Ahmed, a 43-year-old fruit shop owner - who was filmed disarming one of the gunmen.
"We saw an action of a brave man, turns out a Muslim brave man, and I salute him that stopped one of these terrorists from killing innocent Jews. But it requires the action of your government, which you are not taking. And you have to, because history will not forgive hesitation and weakness. It will honour action and strength. That's what Israel expects of each of your governments in the West and elsewhere."
**
Investigators looking into the deadly shooting on Brown University campus in the United States say it is progressing extremely quickly.
A man in his twenties is in police custody, with authorities saying it is too early to release further details about the person or their connection - if any - to the university.
The shooting happened during final exams, with hundreds of police officers involved in the search for the shooter who opened fire in a classroom.
The Mayor of Providence, Brett Smiley, has visited the shooting victims who are receiving treatment in hospital.
He says while the recovery of those injured and investigation remain top priorities right now, he plans to advocate for change following the shooting.
"Any of us in leadership capacities have had to think about this. We have a generation of kids who have done active shooter trainings. That was not something I had to do when I was a kid... This is an incredibly upsetting and emotional time for Providence, for Brown, for all of us. I'm sorry to say we have thought about this. As we mentioned yesterday, we've all trained for this. This is not something we should have to train for, but we have."
**
In golf, Australian Marc Leishman has won the Victorian PGA Championship, his first title victory in Australia since 2008, when he won the same event.
In windy conditions at Moonah Links in Victoria, the 42-year-old teed off on the 18th hole and tied for the lead with fellow Victorian Josh Younger at four under par.
Leishman showed his wizardry with a birdie to set up victory, while Younger had to settle for a par and outright second place.
Leishman carded a four-over 76 on Sunday after earlier rounds of 71, 67 and 68, to finish at five under par.
