Sydney could see army patrols after Bondi attack, New South Wales Premier says
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Police officers patrolling Bondi Beach in Sydney on Dec 25.
PHOTO: AFP
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SYDNEY – Australia’s most populous state will tighten security across its capital Sydney following a deadly attack at Bondi Beach in December
New South Wales Premier Chris Minns said on Dec 28 that residents should expect to see more police officers carrying long-arm firearms through New Year’s Eve and beyond as officials review security arrangements.
The remarks come two weeks after the Bondi terrorist attack, in which two ISIS-inspired gunmen
Officials have called the Dec 14 massacre, carried out by a father and son, Australia’s worst terrorist attack. The father was killed in an ensuing shoot-out, while the son – identified as 24-year-old Naveed Akram – has been charged with 59 offences
Mr Minns said the government was considering measures that include the potential deployment of troops, and confirmed that discussions on additional security options were ongoing. “We’re going to look very closely at security programmes and measures in the future,” Mr Minns said. “There’s a big challenge ahead of us to rebuild Jewish life in Sydney. So I’m not going to take anything off the table.”
Both the state and federal governments have rolled out a series of responses, pledging stronger action against extremism, including coordination with intelligence agencies and community leaders in the wake of the attack.
Last week, the Minns government convened an emergency session of Parliament to approve measures such as limiting the number of firearms an individual can own. The state is also banning the public display of extremist symbols such as an ISIS, Hamas or Hezbollah flag.
At the federal level, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced tougher hate speech laws
