Key Takeaways
- A terrorist attack occurred at Bondi Beach on Sunday, December 14, resulting in a chaotic and confusing situation for police and bystanders.
- The police response to the attack has been questioned, with some criticizing the time it took for officers to arrive at the scene.
- The NSW Premier, Chris Minns, has defended the police response, stating that officers acted quickly and bravely in the face of danger.
- An investigation into the attack is ongoing, with a critical incident investigation and joint counter-terrorism investigation currently underway.
- The possibility of providing frontline police officers with long arm firearms is being considered, but some experts have raised concerns about the potential risks and benefits of this approach.
Introduction to the Incident
A long boulevard wraps around Bondi, a crescent-shaped beach that on normal days throngs with crowds and traffic. However, on Sunday, December 14, the sultry weather probably brought out more than usual, and the area was bustling with people. It was on this day that a terrorist attack occurred, leaving a trail of destruction and chaos in its wake. The first police officers to respond to reports of mass murder on that sunny day faced a confusing and chaotic situation, with many people running away from danger and trying to protect their loved ones.
The Police Response
According to former Bondi detective superintendent, Brett Henderson, working out where the gunfire was coming from may have been difficult in that location, which is surrounded by multi-story blocks. Police would have to decide whether it’s safe to shoot their own gun, and before discharging a firearm, they want to be pretty sure that they can do that justifiably and legally, without harming another person. The Bondi Beach police station may be 600 meters from the attack site at Archer Park, an eight-minute walk, but getting there quickly in an emergency is a different matter. Henderson noted that as a police officer trying to get to the scene, it’s not always easy to get through the crowds, even with lights and sirens.
The Premier’s Response
On Tuesday, questions about the police response incensed NSW Premier Chris Minns, who shielded NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon during a heated media conference. Minns stated that two officers were in critical care in NSW hospitals, and they weren’t shot in the back as they were running away, they were shot in the front. He rejected any suggestion that NSW Police did not live up to their responsibilities, stating that it’s not consistent with the facts. Minns later told The Australian that at least three officers were at the park at the time, and the two wounded police officers were there and moved towards the first shots.
The Jewish Community’s Response
The peak body for the Jewish community has told 7.30 that they received no warning of any attack prior to the Hanukkah festival in Archer Park. President of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, Daniel Aghion, stated that there was no advance warning that the Hanukkah Festival by the Sea at Bondi Beach carried greater risk than any other event that they’ve recently held. Former Commander of the NSW Organised Crime Squad, Rob Critchlow, noted that the event would have had a risk assessment done by NSW Police and the organizers based on the available evidence. The community-run service, Community Security Group (CSG), would have also been involved, and their leadership are often ex-Israeli military and have great working relationships with both the counter-terrorism command and the frontline commanders.
The Alleged Terrorist
Nine newspapers have reported that NSW Police interviewed alleged terrorist Naveed Akram after an earlier ASIO assessment, and he was reportedly placed on a known entity management list. Critchlow stated that the list becomes relevant when there’s new information, and it’s not a legal instrument, but rather an intelligence bucket where names come in, and information comes in, it’s always live. Akram’s background and motivations are still being investigated, and it’s unclear at this stage what led him to carry out the attack.
The Investigation and Aftermath
The critical incident investigation and joint counter-terrorism investigation into the terrorism incident are only just beginning, and there won’t be any quick answers. An inquest could follow, and there’s talk of a Royal Commission from the federal opposition. Commissioner Lanyon is now considering long arm firearms for frontline police officers in addition to their existing pistols, but some experts have raised concerns about the potential risks and benefits of this approach. Henderson noted that long arms have their place for a number of events, but perhaps not in this case, and carrying long arm firearms in police vehicles on a regular basis probably wouldn’t have reduced any of the risk on this occasion.
Conclusion
The terrorist attack at Bondi Beach has left many questions unanswered, and the investigation is ongoing. The police response to the attack has been questioned, but the NSW Premier has defended the actions of the officers involved. The Jewish community has stated that they received no warning of the attack, and the alleged terrorist’s background and motivations are still being investigated. As the investigation continues, it’s likely that more information will come to light, and the community will be able to better understand what happened on that fateful day.