Australia will introduce sweeping reforms to crack down on hate speech and extremist violence, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced on Thursday (Dec 18), as the nation continues to grieve after its deadliest mass shooting in nearly three decades. The reforms come days after a terrorist attack at Sydney’s iconic Bondi Beach, where 15 people were killed during a Jewish Hanukkah celebration in an assault that has shocked the country and reignited fears over rising antisemitism.
The attack unfolded on Sunday evening (Dec 14) as hundreds of people gathered along the promenade at Bondi Beach to mark the Jewish festival of lights. Police allege that a father and son, inspired by Islamic State ideology, opened fire on the crowd in what authorities have since designated a terrorist attack motivated by antisemitic hatred.
The alleged gunmen were identified as Sajid Akram, 50, and his 24-year-old son, Naveed Akram. Sajid was shot dead by police at the scene after officers confronted the attackers, while Naveed was critically wounded and placed in a medically induced coma. On Wednesday, after regaining consciousness, Naveed Akram was formally charged with 59 offences, including 15 counts of murder and multiple terrorism-related charges.
“This was an attack on innocent people, on a community, and on our shared Australian values,” Albanese said at a news conference in Canberra. “Australians are shocked and angry. I am angry. It is clear we need to do much more to combat this evil scourge.”
Under the proposed reforms, the federal government will seek to introduce legislation that makes it easier for authorities to charge individuals who promote hate speech or incite violence. Penalties for such offences would be increased, while a new regime would be developed to target organisations whose leaders engage in or encourage hate speech.
Albanese said the reforms are aimed at closing legal loopholes that allow extremist ideologies to spread, both online and offline, without swift consequences. “We will not tolerate those who use hate as a weapon,” he said. “Freedom of speech does not mean freedom to vilify, threaten or inspire violence.”
The announcement comes amid growing public pressure on the government to take stronger action against antisemitism, following a series of incidents in Sydney and Melbourne over the past year. While the centre-left Labor government has repeatedly denounced antisemitism, critics argue that enforcement and preventative measures have lagged behind the rhetoric.
The sense of anger was voiced poignantly by the parents of 10-year-old Matilda, the youngest victim of the Bondi Beach shooting. Speaking to Australian media on Wednesday, Matilda’s mother, Valentyna, criticised authorities for failing to respond decisively to what she described as a “rising tide” of antisemitic attacks.
“We have been saying for years… they didn’t do anything,” she said. The family has asked that their surname not be used.
Matilda’s funeral was held on Thursday, following earlier services for several other victims, including Rabbis Eli Schlanger, 41, and Yaakov Levitan, 39. Hundreds of mourners gathered in synagogues across Sydney, while candlelight vigils became a nightly ritual at Bondi, coinciding with the days of Hanukkah.
At the state level, New South Wales Premier Chris Minns announced on Wednesday that the state parliament would be recalled next week to pass urgent reforms to gun laws. While Australia already has some of the world’s strictest firearms regulations, authorities are examining how the alleged attackers obtained their weapons and whether further safeguards are needed.
Police have not publicly detailed the firearms used in the attack but confirmed that investigators are examining both domestic and international networks linked to extremist ideology.
The federal government, however, has ruled out holding a Royal Commission—a high-level inquiry with judicial powers—into the shootings for now. Treasurer Jim Chalmers said on Thursday that such an inquiry could distract security agencies at a critical time.
“Our priority must be supporting the investigation and ensuring our agencies are focused on preventing further harm,” Chalmers said.
In the days since the attack, police have stepped up security around Jewish institutions nationwide. Authorities are also investigating alleged Australia-based Islamic State networks and examining possible links between the gunmen and militants overseas.
Attention has focused in part on the Philippines, where Sajid Akram and his son reportedly spent a month in November. Islamic State-linked networks are known to operate in parts of the southern Philippines, raising questions about whether the pair may have received training or support there.
The Philippines National Security Council sought to dispel those concerns on Wednesday. National security adviser Eduardo Año said there was no evidence the two had engaged in any form of military training during their stay.
“There is no valid report or confirmation that the two received any form of military training while in the country, and no evidence supports such a claim at present,” Año said in a statement.
The Bondi attack has also heightened sensitivity to other incidents of alleged antisemitism. On Thursday, Australian Federal Police said a 19-year-old Sydney man had been charged after allegedly threatening violence toward a Jewish person on a flight from Bali to Sydney the previous day.
“Police will allege the man made antisemitic threats and hand gestures indicating violence towards the alleged victim, who the man knew to be affiliated with the Jewish community,” the AFP said. The man is due to face court later on Thursday.
For Australians, Bondi Beach is more than just a tourist attraction. It is one of the country’s most recognisable symbols—a stretch of golden sand woven deeply into the national psyche. In ordinary times, it is a place of diversity, energy and everyday rituals: early-morning swimmers, surfers chasing waves, families picnicking, and visitors from across the globe.
This week, however, Bondi has felt different.
On Wednesday, the beach was bathed in sunlight but subdued. Despite the summery weather, fewer people walked the promenade, and large sections remained cordoned off as an active crime scene. Police officers continued their investigations near the site where the gunfire erupted, while makeshift memorials grew day by day.
Flowers, candles and handwritten notes were laid at Bondi Pavilion and closer to the shoreline, where the sound of waves provided a haunting contrast to the grief on land.
Tourists continued to arrive, though many said they did so cautiously and with a sense of respect for a community in mourning.
“Bondi is iconic. We wanted to come,” said Suneeta Nagaraja, visiting with her family from California. “We had planned to come anyway, but after the last couple of days, we wanted to give some space to the community. We still wanted to be here and show our support.”
Sun Ho Ahn, visiting from Incheon in South Korea, echoed the sentiment. “We were hesitant about coming here because of all the dangerous aftermath, but we still wanted to see the beautiful scenery,” she said. “It was just like we imagined, and probably more.”
Local businesses have also felt the impact of the attack, with foot traffic down and uncertainty clouding what is usually a busy holiday season. Yet many residents say the sense of community has only grown stronger.
Near the site of the shooting, café owner Maxime Thuez described Bondi as a place defined by solidarity. “It’s always been a very welcoming place,” he said. “I feel like everybody knows each other. It’s like one family, very supportive.”
For residents like Lisa Owen-Burke, the tragedy has altered how they see their home. “Bondi is so visual—there’s always new energy coming into this place,” she said. “It’s just very sad.”
Her husband, Philip, said the coming months would be difficult but expressed hope that Bondi would eventually reclaim its spirit. “Hopefully it can be its warm, welcome and vibrant self again,” he said. “Obviously, there’s going to be a memory of what’s happened here.”
As Australia confronts the aftermath of the attack, the debate over hate speech, extremism and social cohesion has taken on new urgency. Albanese’s proposed reforms signal a tougher stance, but their success will depend on parliamentary support and effective enforcement.
For now, Bondi stands as a symbol of both loss and resilience. Amid grief and fear, the steady rhythm of the ocean continues—a reminder, many hope, that life will return, even as the scars of this tragedy endure.
“I hope it’ll rebuild,” said local resident Andrew Meagher. “That people will come back to appreciate all the good things about Bondi, and then we’ll get back to some kind of normality.”
