Sussan Ley urges PM to ‘immedately’ recall parliament, lists Coalition’s preferred responses
The opposition leader has been speaking in Sydney. She says the Coalition wants the prime minister to recall parliament before Christmas to “to pass legislation to eradicate antisemitism and to strengthen Australia’s counter-terrorism laws”.
Ley continues by listing the elements of the Coalition’s preferred program, which includes:
Making the antisemitism envoy a statutory office under its own legislation
Terminating Creative Australia funding agreements for artists who “support antisemitic activities”
Review educational curricula with reference to Jewish history, identity and culture
Combating antisemitism
Making “combating antisemitism a provider condition” for tertiary educational institutions
Legislating a “no funding trigger” for Australian Research Council grants where “the grant produces or supports antisemitic activity”
New electronic surveillance legislation
Powers to strip dual citizenship from and deport “extremists and radicals”
Preventing visas being granted “to any person coming from a terrorist enclave, for example, any Hamas controlled territory”
Elevated security and character assessment checks “beyond current processes and protocols through enhanced interrogation by authorities”
That’s not an exhaustive list. Ley also argued that there ought to be more funding provided for counter-terrorism policing.
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Updated at 05.34 CET
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Latest update on injured victims from NSW Health
There are now 16 people receiving care in Sydney hospitals for injuries sustained during the terror attack on Sunday, according to the latest update from NSW Health.
As of 4pm, Thursday 18 December:
One patient is in a stable condition at Prince of Wales hospital.
One patient is in a critical but stable condition and one patient is in a stable condition at St George hospital.
One patient is in a critical condition, two patients are in a critical but stable condition and one patient is in a stable condition at St Vincent’s hospital.
One patient is in a critical condition and four patients are stable at Royal Prince Alfred hospital.
Three patients are in a stable condition at Royal North Shore hospital.
One patient is in a stable condition at Liverpool hospital.
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Updated at 06.50 CET
Park and footbridge at centre of attack reopen to the public
Archer Park, the site of the attack on Sunday, and the footbridge the gunmen occupied was reopened to the public this afternoon.
Archer Park and the footbridge is reopened to the public at Bondi beach in Sydney. Photograph: Dan Himbrechts/AAPA bullet hole in the back windscreen of a car parked by Bondi beach as Archer Park and the footbridge are reopened to the public. Photograph: Dan Himbrechts/AAPShare
Updated at 06.44 CET
Caitlin Cassidy
School and university bodies welcome Gonski-led antisemitism taskforce
Education bodies have welcomed the prime minister’s announcement earlier today of an antisemitism education taskforce, with the peak body for independent schools calling it an “important step” to improve social cohesion.
The taskforce, to be led by David Gonski, will include representatives from Australia’s education system and the antisemitism envoy, Jillian Segal, to strengthen how schools prevent, address and respond to antisemitism.
Independent Schools Australia chief executive, Graham Catt, said education played a “critical role in confronting hatred early, building understanding, and strengthening social cohesion across our communities”:
Our national response must be thoughtful, evidence-based and focused on student wellbeing; and support practical, school-based approaches that help young Australians learn and thrive together.
The Group of Eight (Go8), which represents sandstone universities, including the University of Sydney and the University of Melbourne that faced backlash from some Jewish groups for its response to pro-Palestine encampments on campus, said the committee was a “direct response to the urgent need for decisive action”.
Earlier this week, the Go8’s board agreed on the need to establish the committee in light of the terror attack in Sydney.
Its chief executive, Vicki Thomson, said the Go8 would “work closely” with the government’s taskforce and commended the government on adopting a “whole of sector” approach.
All sectors of the Australian community must work hand in hand on these important initiatives to prevent and respond to antisemitism across society and on our university campuses.
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Updated at 06.08 CET
Flower memorial filled with cartoon and soft toy bees in tribute to 10-year-old Bondi attack victim
Caitlin Cassidy
The Bondi Pavilion flower memorial to the 15 victims of Sunday night’s terror attack has been filled with bees in tribute to 10-year-old Matilda, who was killed in the shooting.
At Matilda’s funeral earlier this afternoon, mourners were handed stickers bearing her name in her favourite colour, purple, with a picture of a cartoon bee.
When Matilda’s father spoke at the Bondi vigil on Tuesday night, he said Bee was Matilda’s middle name and he asked people to use the symbol to remember her.
A poster at Bondi Pavilion showing the Bee icon, which has been representing Matilda – the youngest victim of the Bondi terror attack. Photograph: Caitlin Cassidy/The Guardian
On Thursday afternoon, a poster reading “Matilda” with a bee had been stuck on to the walls of the pavilion, next to black and yellow balloons. There were many plush bees tucked beside flowers, while candles that had been burning were embellished with Matilda’s stickers.
One poster read “Waltzing Matilda”, a tribute to her family revealing they had named her Matilda as it was the most Australian name they could think of.
Soft toy bees lies among the tributes laid out for victims of the Bondi terror attack at Bondi Pavilion. Photograph: Caitlin Cassidy/The GuardianShare
Updated at 06.29 CET
Leeser says Coalition would terminate arts and university funding for ‘antisemitic activity’
The shadow minister for education and the arts, Julian Leeser, also spoke at the Coalition press conference. He described the last few days as having been “the most harrowing few days in the history of the life of the Australian Jewish community”.
Leeser said there was “white hot, palpable anger” in the Jewish community:
While there is sadness in the Jewish community, there is also white hot, palpable anger at a prime minister who has had so many opportunities to take action, so many opportunities to show leadership. But on every occasion, his work and his words missed the mark and it always comes too late.
Referring to antisemitism envoy Jillian Segal’s report, Leeser continued:
She talked about the way in which antisemitism had festered in education and the arts. She noted that antisemitism has been ingrained and normalised among in academia and in the cultural space, that dealing with those issues is urgent. And she particularly noted the problems with young Australians under 35 who, if they continue to hear a diet of antisemitism on campus and in the cultural space, will become fully fledged Jew haters.
Leeser then laid out the four key proposals the Coalition wants to enact regarding the arts and education sectors in particular. He said:
Firstly, we’re going to terminate arts, university and other grants where those grants are supporting antisemitic activity.
Secondly, we will ensure that current students and future students understand Jewish history, Jewish identity, the various manifestations of antisemitism not only limited to the Holocaust.
Thirdly, we will make combating antisemitism a condition to be a higher education provider because we know that it has festered on our university campuses for far too long.
And finally, we will continue to press the commission of inquiry into antisemitism on campus, a matter I raised two years ago.
Julian Leeser. Photograph: Steven Markham/EPAShare
Updated at 06.12 CET
Shadow home affairs minister suggests Coalition plan to prevent repatriation of Islamic State sympathisers
Among the positions Sussan Ley and the Coalition have laid out in this press conference is to prevent the repatriation of Australian citizens who are wives, widows and children of dead or jailed Islamic State fighters.
The shadow minister for home affairs, Jonathon Duniam (left), and the opposition leader, Sussan Ley visit a makeshift memorial at Bondi Pavilion. Photograph: Flavio Brancaleone/Reuters
The shadow home affairs minister, Jonathon Duniam, said at this press conference:
They’re sympathisers with Isis. Isis is the group that we understand and we know in fact inspired the acts that took away 15 innocent lives on Sunday. This government, the minister for home affairs, has been engaged in secret meetings with third parties to bring back these so-called Isis brides into Australia at a time when we have a terror threat level of probable. This is bad activity and bad faith actions by this government.
You can read some background to this issue here:
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Updated at 05.53 CET
Sussan Ley urges PM to ‘immedately’ recall parliament, lists Coalition’s preferred responses
The opposition leader has been speaking in Sydney. She says the Coalition wants the prime minister to recall parliament before Christmas to “to pass legislation to eradicate antisemitism and to strengthen Australia’s counter-terrorism laws”.
Ley continues by listing the elements of the Coalition’s preferred program, which includes:
Making the antisemitism envoy a statutory office under its own legislation
Terminating Creative Australia funding agreements for artists who “support antisemitic activities”
Review educational curricula with reference to Jewish history, identity and culture
Combating antisemitism
Making “combating antisemitism a provider condition” for tertiary educational institutions
Legislating a “no funding trigger” for Australian Research Council grants where “the grant produces or supports antisemitic activity”
New electronic surveillance legislation
Powers to strip dual citizenship from and deport “extremists and radicals”
Preventing visas being granted “to any person coming from a terrorist enclave, for example, any Hamas controlled territory”
Elevated security and character assessment checks “beyond current processes and protocols through enhanced interrogation by authorities”
That’s not an exhaustive list. Ley also argued that there ought to be more funding provided for counter-terrorism policing.
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Updated at 05.34 CET
Taskforce tackling antisemitism across education system to start ‘straight away’
The federal education minister, Jason Clare, has issued a statement after the announcement that business leader David Gonski would chair a taskforce to tackle antisemitism across the education system.
Clare says:
I want to thank David Gonski for agreeing to lead this work. He is a towering Australian, a leader in the Jewish community, and has dedicated his life to public service.
He knows our education system inside out and knows how powerful a force for good it can be.
We need to make sure our children are learning about the evils of antisemitism and the horrors of the Holocaust. And we need our universities to do better to stamp out antisemitism.
We are convening a meeting of the taskforce for tomorrow so they can get started straight away.
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Updated at 05.23 CET
If you missed the prime minister’s press conference and his announcement of new hate speech laws, you can catch up here:
Australian prime minister announces new laws to combat hate speech after Bondi shooting – videoShare
Updated at 04.45 CET
Anne Davies
NSW treasurer announces enhanced security measures for Christmas and NYE period
The NSW government is working on enhanced security measures for the Christmas period and New Year’s Eve, as Sydney prepares for some of its biggest events.
The NSW treasurer, Daniel Mookhey, said at a press conference today:
Public safety in the lead-up to Christmas and New Years’ Eve is something we are actively working on and we will have more to say about the security arrangements that will apply as people celebrate Christmas, participate in Boxing Day events and on New Year eve.
We do want to be clear, people need to feel safe as they travel around. And we will have more to say about the security arrangements in coming days.
He declined to elaborate on the police investigations stemming from the Bondi beach attack last Sunday, other than to point out that the police commissioner, Mal Lanyon, has said that the immediate threat has been resolved.
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Updated at 04.40 CET
‘Sudden and senseless loss’: family of Bondi shooting victims Boris and Sofia Gurman share statement
The family of Boris and Sofia Gurman, who were killed on Sunday after attempting to stop one of the gunmen, have shared this statement about their loved ones:
We are heartbroken by the sudden and senseless loss of our beloved Boris (69) and Sofia Gurman (61).
They had been married for 34 years, with their 35th wedding anniversary approaching in January. In just two days’ time, we were meant to celebrate Sofia’s birthday – a moment that now feels incredibly hard to comprehend.
Boris and Sofia Gurman, who were soon to celebrate their 35th wedding anniversary. Photograph: Gofundme
Boris and Sofia were deeply devoted to their family and were well known in their community for their kindness, warmth and willingness to help others. Boris was a retired mechanic, and Sofia was working at Australia Post for the past five years. They lived honest, hardworking lives and treated everyone with care and respect.
We are devastated by this loss and ask for privacy as we grieve. We are deeply grateful for the love and support shown to our family during this unimaginable time.
You can read more about the Gurmans and the extraordinary sacrifice they made trying to stop Sunday’s horror here:
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Updated at 04.34 CET
‘No words can describe the pain of our loss’: family of Adam Smyth release statement
Earlier we brought you the news that Adam Smyth, 50, had been identified as the 14th victim of the attack. His family have shared this message for the public:
Adam Smyth, the 14th confirmed victim of the Bondi beach terror attack. Photograph: Supplied by the family
We are devastated by the loss of our beloved Adam Smyth (50), father of four children and husband to Katrina.
Adam and Katrina were walking at Bondi Beach on Sunday evening when they found themselves in the middle of the horrific and devastating attack.
We are all trying to come to terms with the senseless shooting, of which Adam was a victim.
No words can describe the pain of our loss.
Adam and Katrina were living their best lives together. Their shared love of family and friends, travel and sport – if not always the same team – made their time together truly special.
Adam’s loves in life were his English Premier League football team Liverpool, his AFL team the Sydney Swans, the NRL’s Manly Sea Eagles and his beloved pets.
We will forever cherish the time we have had with him. Adam was a generous and kind person who will be dearly missed and is forever irreplaceable.
You’ll never walk alone (YNWA).
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Updated at 06.05 CET
Business NSW welcome ‘meaningful’ support package for business affected by Bondi shooting
Business NSW has welcomed the elements of the government’s support package for small businesses affected by the Bondi terror attack.
The package has been jointly funded by the state and federal government, mainly under disaster recovery funding arrangements. For businesses, it includes up to $25,000 for affected small businesses in the immediate vicinity of the attack, and those who can show exceptional circumstances.
Business NSW chief executive, Daniel Hunter, was consulted on the terms of the support package. He said in a statement this afternoon that the funding was “an important step” in the community’s recovery:
Our Jewish community has been attacked in the most heinous way and the pain and trauma from this act will be felt for a long time.
Local businesses are integral to Bondi’s social fabric. They are made up of people – workers, families and neighbours – who have been deeply affected by this tragedy.
This support is a meaningful step in helping businesses and the community recover.
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Updated at 04.15 CET
Family of Bondi terror attack victim Marika Pogany share touching statement
Family members of some of the victims of Sunday’s terror attack have shared statements with the media about their loved ones who have died.
The family of Marika Pogany write the following:
Marika, known lovingly to all as Omi, was a beautiful mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and steadfast friend, whose warmth and energy touched countless lives. Vibrant and full of life, she brought joy and energy into every room and found her greatest happiness surrounded by her adoring family. Her darling son Romy was her greatest achievement and her world.
Marika was fortunate to have the opportunity to come to Australia in 1968 from Czechoslovakia with Romy lovingly accompanied by her protector, her brother Ivan. She became an Australian citizen in 1972 where she embraced her life as an Aussie from that point on. She was very proud of her country.
Marika Pogany is a victim of the Bondi terror attack. Photograph: YWN
She had an extraordinary gift for connecting with people. Her kindness, laughter, and generosity left a lasting mark on everyone she met, and her incredible network of friends was a true reflection of the love and loyalty she inspired.
Deeply devoted to her community, she gave her time and heart in service to others, delivering meals and helping people in need, embodying love in action.
Though she is gone, her light will continue to shine brightly through the family and friends who were so blessed to have her in their lives. Forever our gorgeous Darlink.
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Updated at 04.10 CET
Caitlin Cassidy
NSW opposition leader arrives at funeral of Tibor Weitzen
Mourners are continuing to arrive at the funeral of Tibor Weitzen, 78, where around two dozen police are stationed in addition to private security.
Weitzen’s grandson, Mendy Amzalak, told The Australian his grandfather was a man full of “life, joy, smiles and laughter” who died shielding a family friend from bullets.
Among them is the NSW opposition leader, Kellie Sloane, who just arrived after attending the funeral of 10-year-old Matilda. She was also at the funeral of Rabbi Eli Schlanger on Wednesday.
Also in attendance is the state’s premier, Chris Minns, wearing a kippah, and NSW local government minister and leader of the house, Labor’s Ron Hoenig.
Sloane tells Guardian Australia she was invited to Weitzen’s funeral by his widow, who one of her staff members knows personally:
It’s a really difficult procession of grief in our community right now, this was a beautiful family … We just want to be here for this family, for every family that’s been touched.
The mood is sombre outside. Loved ones hug, some through tears, sunglasses hiding their grief.
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Updated at 05.10 CET
