The New South Wales Police Commissioner says it's 'obvious' the Bondi attacker targeted women; Prime Minister Anthony Albanese joins world leaders in condemning Iran's attack on Israel; And in golf, Scottie Scheffler wins his second Masters in three years.
Listen to Australian and world news, and follow trending topics with SBS News Podcasts.
TRANSCRIPT
- The New South Wales Police Commissioner says it's 'obvious' the Bondi attacker targeted women;
- Prime Minister Anthony Albanese joins world leaders in condemning Iran's attack on Israel;
- And in golf, Scottie Scheffler wins his second Masters in three years.
Anthony Albanese has paid tribute to the victims of the Bondi Junction stabbing attack, saying Australia is a nation in mourning.
The Prime Minister highlighted what he called extraordinary acts of heroism, including the actions of lone police officer Inspector Amy Scott, who shot the attacker, and commended the bravery of a man who held a bollard at the top of an escalator to prevent the man from getting past.
Mr Albanese says going shopping on a Saturday afternoon should be without risk.
"But the innocent people who lost their lives, six lives, six people, others remain critically unwell. Four people were released from hospital overnight. There remain five in hospital, one critically injured. And our hearts go out to the families and friends of those who have lost their lives. I've spoken o family members yesterday and they're doing it tough."
Mr Albanese also stressed the importance of getting mental health support if needed and urged people to reach out to the appropriate channels.
Six people were killed after Queensland man Joel Cauchi went on a stabbing rampage at Westfield shopping centre.
Flags across Australia are to be flown at half mast today, to honour the victims.
The sails of the Sydney Opera House will also be lit with a black ribbon from 6pm this evening as floral tributes are being laid throughout Sydney's eastern suburbs.
If you or someone you know needs support, call Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636 or Lifeline on 13 11 14.
—
Police say a man who fatally stabbed six people at Westfield Bondi Junction on Saturday avoided men and deliberately targeted women and children.
Five of the six victims killed in the mass stabbing were women and one was a male security guard, prompting media to question New South Wales Police Commissioner Karen Webb on whether the offenders’ actions may have been targeted based on gender.
Commissioner Webb told the ABC it's 'obvious' to her that the offender focused on women.
"Well the videos speak for themselves don't they? And that's certainly a line of inquiry for us. It's obvious to me, it's obvious to detectives that seems to be an area of interest that the offender focused on women and avoided the men. As you know, and has been reported, five of the deceased are women. And the majority of victims in hospital are also women."
The Commissioner added police do not know what exactly was operating in the mind of the offender, but that detectives are spending a lot of time interviewing those close to him.
—
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has joined world leaders in condemning Iran's attack on Israel.
Overnight, Iran launched hundreds of bomb-carrying drones and missiles towards Israel, in what is thought to be a response to an attack on Iran's embassy compound in Syria earlier this month.
Twelve people were killed on April the 1st, including two senior generals, which Iran has blamed on Israel.
Israel has not claimed responsibility for that attack.
The country's President Isaac Herzog has said while they are not seeking a war with Iran, they do consider Iran's attack a declaration of war and will take the 'necessary steps' to defend their people.
Mr Albanese yesterday issued a statement condemning the attack on Israel, with the G7 leaders issuing a similar statement.
The Prime Minister told the ABC this escalation is a grave threat to the entire region.
"Not just of Israel but of the entire region. It risks greater instability and devastation across the Middle East. We continue to support regional security, including that of Israel. We want to see there be less conflict, not more. And this adds to an incredible risk here."
The federal government has also updated its travel advice for Australians in Israel.
Australian citizens are being urged not to travel outside greater Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and Ramallah, and to follow the advice of local authorities.
—
And in golf,
Scottie Scheffler has won his second Masters triumph in three years.
The world Number One fended off all challengers in closing with a four-under-par 68 to secure a four-stroke victory over young Swede Ludvig Aberg at Augusta National on Sunday.
He finished with an 11-under 277 total.
Scheffler’s third victory this year has elevated him to a level reminiscent of Tiger Woods.
The American is the first player since Woods, 23 years ago, to win the Arnold Palmer Invitational, Players Championship and the Masters in the same season.
This is Woods after the third round of golf on Saturday before his defeat the following day.
"The fact that I was not hitting it very good or putting well. I didn't have a very good warm-up session, and I kept it going all day today. Just hit the ball in all the places that I know I shouldn't hit it, and I missed a lot of putts, easy, makeable putts, I missed a lot of them."
