Key Takeaways:
- The NSW premier, Chris Minns, is considering deploying the army to Jewish areas to protect the community following the Bondi Beach terrorist attack.
- The premier has warned that Sydneysiders can expect to see more police officers carrying long-armed guns before and beyond New Year’s Eve.
- The government is planning to introduce tougher penalties and more onerous remedies to stop hate preachers from spreading racism.
- The NSW Police have increased their presence in the eastern suburbs, with a focus on antisemitic attacks, and have conducted over 2,600 proactive taskings since the attack.
- The premier has flagged that arming the Jewish Community Security Group NSW (CSG NSW) could be considered as part of the changed security protocols.
Introduction to the Situation
The NSW premier, Chris Minns, has not ruled out deploying the army to Jewish areas to protect the community following the Bondi Beach terrorist attack. In a press conference on Sunday, Minns warned that Sydneysiders could expect to see more police officers carrying long-armed guns before and beyond New Year’s Eve. The premier stated that "nothing was off the table" in response to a question about the deployment of troops, confirming that discussions about it were ongoing. This comes after a November 26 document produced by the Jewish Community Security Group NSW (CSG NSW) warned NSW Police of a heightened risk of violent antisemitism during the Chanukah by the Sea event.
Security Measures and Protocols
The premier says NSW’s security measures and protocols have to change. He flagged that arming CSG NSW would also be considered, stating that "clearly from media reports and my own enquiries, that CSG was in contact with NSW Police, and while there were police on site, clearly not enough to deal with the threat as history’s tragically shown." The changed protocols for police, described by Minns as "absolutely necessary" to restore community confidence, will see some officers holding long-fire arms. The premier wants to send a clear message that NSW Police will be out in massive numbers, and in some cases, carrying firearms and weapons that haven’t been seen before on the streets of Sydney.
Police Presence and Operations
The NSW Police have increased their presence in the eastern suburbs, with a focus on antisemitic attacks. Since the attack and December 24, police say officers have conducted "more than 2,600 proactive taskings across more than 3,200 police shifts", including increased static and mobile patrols. Snipers on roofs and heavily-armed officers could be seen with long-armed firearms at the Day of Reflection event, which was held to honour the 15 people killed and the dozens more injured in the mass shooting on December 14. The premier reiterated his commitment to safety, stating that "we want to make sure that they’re [NSW Police] in a position to send a message that security is the number one obligation of any government, and that’s what you’re going to see in the weeks ahead."
Hate Preachers and Legislation
The premier flagged that others could meet the same fate as the illegal prayer hall linked to notorious Islamic preacher Wisam Haddad, which was shut down earlier this week. He stressed the focus on "hate preachers" spreading racism would be unrelenting and the action to close it down would be immediate. The premier stated that "no organisation that preaches hate should have access to any government money under any circumstances." The government is planning to introduce tougher penalties and more onerous remedies to stop hate preachers from spreading racism, including legislation to shut down prayer halls that breach conditions.
Conclusion and Future Plans
In conclusion, the NSW premier, Chris Minns, is taking a strong stance on security and hate preachers following the Bondi Beach terrorist attack. The government is planning to introduce tougher penalties and more onerous remedies to stop hate preachers from spreading racism, and the NSW Police have increased their presence in the eastern suburbs. The premier has not ruled out deploying the army to Jewish areas to protect the community and has flagged that arming CSG NSW could be considered as part of the changed security protocols. As the situation continues to unfold, it is clear that the government is committed to taking a strong stance on security and hate preachers to protect the community.