At least 15 people were killed and 27 injured, including 12 in critical condition, after a shooting at Sydney’s Bondi Beach. Police identified the suspects as a 50-year-old father, who was shot dead, and his 24-year-old son, now critically injured and facing charges. Officials called it a terrorist attack targeting Jewish people during a Hanukkah celebration.
#BondiBeach #SydneyShooting #AustraliaNews #BreakingNews #HanukkahAttack #Antisemitism #BondiTragedy #NSWPolic #AustraliaMourns #TerrorAttack #JewishCommunity #GlobalOutrage #MassShooting #Albanese #SydneyBreaking #BeachMassacre #JewsCommunity #AustraliaUnites
~HT.410~ED.194~
#BondiBeach #SydneyShooting #AustraliaNews #BreakingNews #HanukkahAttack #Antisemitism #BondiTragedy #NSWPolic #AustraliaMourns #TerrorAttack #JewishCommunity #GlobalOutrage #MassShooting #Albanese #SydneyBreaking #BeachMassacre #JewsCommunity #AustraliaUnites
~HT.410~ED.194~
Category
🗞
NewsTranscript
00:00well good afternoon ladies and gentlemen this morning I spoke about the recommencement of
00:16our operation to make sure that we support the Jewish community make sure that we have
00:20confidence in the Jewish community there are over 320 police being deployed today we will
00:25continue to increase that number to make sure that the Jewish community feels safe know that
00:31police are there to protect them and they can go about their life the type of atrocities we saw
00:36yesterday can't be tolerated and it's not fair that any section of the community cannot go around
00:42their usual way of life I understand and the New South Wales Police understand the fear that is
00:48currently within that community and I think it's really important that we show the resolute support
00:53for the community so that they can to can go around their way of life this morning I've had
00:58the opportunity to visit the families and the officers who were injured yesterday both sets
01:04of families are incredibly supportive of the support they are getting from the police family
01:08one of the important things about this is the way that the New South Wales Police Force has come
01:13together to make sure that we support each other and support those brave officers who went forward
01:18yesterday there are many many stories of bravery from members of the community as well I really
01:25want to acknowledge the work that was done yesterday we know that a number of people are alive now because
01:31the actions of innocent bystanders and I thank them for the work that they're doing our investigation
01:37under operation arcs is continuing I'll only provide limited updates on that what's really important
01:44is to say that we do have a 24 year old male in hospital at the moment based on his medical condition
01:51it is likely that that person may face criminal charges I'm very mindful of not prejudicing any
01:57prosecution of that person if they're put before the court very happy to take questions later on might
02:03hand over to the premier can I say I have reiterated this message several times in the past press conferences
02:09this is a time for calm retribution or acts against any part of any community will not be accepted we
02:20will have a significant policing presence this is a time for the community to come together this is a
02:27time that police will take action to make sure the community feels safe this is not what we expect in
02:34New South Wales these types of actions what we saw yesterday is abhorrent we have taken firm action we
02:41are keen to make sure the community now heals very happy to take questions later thank you thanks thanks
02:47commissioner thanks all for being here this afternoon obviously a very trying day in Sydney this morning
02:55with the treasurer and the minister for multiculturalism I met with Jewish community leaders spoke with
03:02several of them on the phone and reiterated the public's unswerving support of that community
03:09during this incredibly dark hour and to let them know that the people of Australia are behind them
03:14and are with them and are grieving with them today this is a shocking shocking act of violence as we've
03:19said and it needs to be met with an overwhelming government community and police response operation
03:26shelter will be overwhelming and it may be inconvenient for people in the coming days but we need
03:32to send a clear message to the people of this state and those in the affected community that
03:38have seen so much violence and damage that New South Wales police are there to protect them to keep them
03:44safe and that they've got every right to celebrate their faith and enjoy this festive period free from
03:50the profound worry and sadness associated with this horrible violence a few things I'll just get to
03:58before I hand over to the police minister a memorial site's been established at the rear of the Bondi
04:03pavilion I've noticed that people are already laying flowers at that site we'd encourage members of the
04:08community to do that it's encouraging to see record inquiries and massive lines at blood donation
04:15services across New South Wales please be patient if you'd like to make that act of civic duty but it is
04:21warmly welcomed and it will go to a good cause it's something practical that you can do in response to this
04:26terrible act the New South Wales crisis cabinet meeting committee I should say met last night
04:32it'll meet again this afternoon and daily after that national cabinets crisis committee meeting will
04:39meet as well this afternoon and myself and the police commissioner will be on that with national
04:46security officials will meet the National Security Committee this afternoon we're urging people if they have
04:53information or they'd like information to contact the public information and inquiry center it's open and
04:59is operating 24 7 on 1 800 227 228 the public information and inquiry center will answer general queries and
05:09also register for people who are forced to leave personal possessions in the immediate vicinity that may be
05:16still under police protection or a police block we know that there's cars wallets and phones that are
05:23in that area that's the best number to call to retrieve your personal belongings operation shelter as the police
05:31commissioner has said is up and operational but that will be beefed up in the coming days Bondi public
05:36Bondi Beach excuse me public school remains closed because of its proximity to the scene school counseling
05:42services have been arranged at nearby public schools and I understand that premier's department
05:48counselors are on site with the vest if people need immediate emergency mental health support or
05:55counseling they're working on setting up a static operation on site in Bondi if you need that help
06:01and support as no doubt the community will having spoken to Jewish community leaders today they're reeling and
06:06in crisis and obviously many of them are incredibly distressed at what they've seen latest information
06:12is 15 innocent people are dead one of the perpetrators is dead 16 in total 38 people remain in New South
06:21Wales hospitals being treated and that's all I'll say right now hand over to the police minister
06:27thanks so much premier as the premier just said the premier's counselors are out on site and I've just
06:35come back from Bondi and I can honestly say how valuable their contribution is stopping not
06:41only officers but just generally people who are out there and they really are having a big impact so
06:47important that we get that message out if you need to speak to someone we do actually have that
06:52operation out there we've got experts out there wanting to help also went out to see the police and to
06:59thank the police out there we have police from commands right across metropolitan Sydney out
07:05and Bondi at the moment around that area and again you know like only too often the police got a phone
07:14call this morning who were on today at quarter past four and were directed to go straight out there and
07:19not a hesitation no hesitation whatsoever the blue family is really all behind each other they're behind the
07:27community and they are only too happy to be of assistance in keeping our community safe I spoke with some
07:33Jewish leaders out there they were so thankful of the police and and the work that they've been
07:37doing as we well know the relationship between the Jewish community and the New South Wales Police is
07:43strong and they have been working hand in glove with CSG and our Jewish leaders for a couple of years now
07:52given the circumstances that we have been in in that community I also just wanted to advise you that last
07:59night the premier and I were over at Bondi we went to the police station and there were at least 50 60
08:07police officers there most of them weren't on duty they just heard the event put their uniform on got in
08:16their car and drove to Bondi police station because they knew they'd be needed we had them not just from
08:21the their pack that they're locals as far as Newcastle Sutherland Western Sydney you name it the police
08:30here in New South Wales do a great job and they're here to support each other they're here to support
08:34our community and we're very thankful for that we're all happy to take questions
08:39I certainly can't talk about what information the Commonwealth may have had but certainly in terms
09:07of a firearms license the firearms registry registry conduct a thorough examination of all applications
09:13to ensure a person is fit and proper to hold a firearms license it absolutely can depending on
09:23the nature of depending on the nature of the Association depending on the nature of the
09:28intelligence of there they have to weigh up all of those things in accordance with the Firearms Act
09:33yeah well look we're looking at that as we speak I think it's time that we have a change to the law
09:51in relation to the firearms legislation in New South Wales but I'm not ready to announce it today we want
09:57to make sure that prospective reform and change in New South Wales has a lasting impact but it's not the
10:03last time I'll be mentioning it and you can expect action soon I can't answer that question because he
10:14met the eligibility criteria for a firearms license so the firearms license was to be for a recreational
10:20hunting license there are two types of hunting license the ability to hunt on a property or also as
10:27part of a hunting club so a gun club he was a member of a gun club and was entitled by nature of the
10:34Firearms Act to have a firearms license issued sorry sorry just one at a time please pardon I don't have
10:43those details with me at the moment he had a category a B license which entitled him to have the long arms
10:57that he had as registered firearms depending on the nature of it and as I said this morning that's very much
11:12under investigation at the moment we want to understand whether the person was and certainly
11:16by criteria he was eligible to hold a firearms license we do take into account all intelligence
11:22that's available so yes we certainly do that we work very closely with all Commonwealth agencies
11:34as I said I'm not going to go into what information ASIO may have held we will work closely with the Commonwealth
11:41Premier do you have concerns that this might be a case of federal agencies not talking to New South Wales police
11:48and are you going to raise that concern this afternoon look I mean I think it's reasonable in the circumstances
11:55to allow a full investigation and inquiry to take place there's a there's a sequence here that's
12:01important firstly community safety secondly the investigation there's an offender in custody that
12:07prosecution is hugely important in terms of justice for the victims and of course a comprehensive
12:13investigation as to what went wrong what could we do better is there better lines of communication I'm
12:19not in a position now to criticize and I think it wouldn't be the right thing to do within 24 hours of
12:25this shocking violent attack to be pronouncing failures here without the aid of an independent
12:31investigation what I can promise is that's exactly what we will provide here in New South Wales it's
12:37important that we get all the information on the table and I want to make it clear we will act on
12:42those recommendations I don't know if that is the case happy to take that away and come back to you
12:59they would have to be appropriately licensed to have those fire up sorry
13:06please always take safety personally we're always mindful of community safety there were active taskings
13:24for the local police area commander be down there in fact the police area commander had been down
13:29there through the location so it's one of those ones we work closely with the security group the
13:34Jewish security group CSG and then make sure that we have a policing presence that is there I think
13:40what I can say and the reassurance I can give the community is the prompt response by police indicates
13:45very clearly that police take security can say no I can't give you that right at the moment that's
14:02obviously part of the investigation what I've said is that there were police at the scene at the time
14:06police responded promptly I have think we have seen very clearly on footage the bravery of officers and
14:12members of the public who took very prompt action to resolve this matter as I said it was taskings so
14:24police from the police area command and other police that we have within the metropolitan area will move
14:30around that event so it's an active tasking to be around there I don't have the exact number as I
14:40said they were tasking so officers are continually going through that location there were certainly
14:45officers there at the time when the incident occurred and responded very promptly look I think in terms
14:53of the risk assessment we certainly work closely with the Jewish community I've made it really clear
14:58that there was no specific no specific intelligence in relation to the incident itself we responded very
15:05promptly that's very much part of the investigation at this stage I'm not prepared to confirm any of
15:19that further information will be provided I think I've also made it quite clear with a person who is
15:24currently in hospital at the moment who may well face criminal charges it's important that I don't
15:29prejudice any prosecution I think that's been really clear I think anyone who has seen the footage will
15:39have seen police going forward to take positive action it would have been an incredibly chaotic and
15:46terrifying scene even for well-trained police officers the fact that two persons had long arms and
15:51were indiscriminately firing them says that the act of bravery about going forward is something we
15:56should all celebrate the police went forward took very positive action resolved the matter again with
16:03some outstanding bravery by members of the public there's several investigations on the way at the
16:13moment I spoke this morning the joint counterterrorism investigation will be led by our counterterrorism
16:19command with our Commonwealth agencies at the same time there is a critical incident investigation because
16:25we know that police fired a number of shots which resulted in the death of a person and also the
16:29injury to a second offender so there are a range of investigations on the way look I respect a
16:41person having an opinion but I've been really clear our police responded promptly our police respond very
16:47promptly we work closely with the Jewish community we are very attuned with providing support to the Jewish
16:53community
16:57what I can say to you is that's currently part of the investigation obviously that's
17:03something that will come through pathologist investigation but also
17:07forensics and blue sticks investigation that is part of an active investigation
17:10last night I declared a terrorist incident at 9 36 p.m. because I was satisfied based on the
17:28circumstances based on was located at the scene based on the fact that it was the first day of
17:33Hanukkah and what appeared to be a deliberate shooting towards members of the Jewish community
17:38that it was a terrorist act I'm not going to go into individual piece of evidence they are subject
17:43to the investigation I want to make sure that we do a very thorough and transparent investigation
17:48which is what our police are doing at the moment
17:49Commissioner were the gunmen Australian citizens and if not can you tell us how long they have been in Australia for?
17:55I'm not prepared to comment on that moment that's all part of the investigation
17:58Is there anything more you know about the two shooters that you can't divulge to us?
18:01I divulged this morning that they are both a father and a son
18:06They have obviously a connection for quite a period of time within Australia
18:11The father has held a firearms license since 2015
18:15We are very much working through the background of both persons
18:19At this stage we know very little about them
18:22Has anything come up on social media?
18:25Oh there's a lot of things on social media at the moment
18:28No that's part of the investigation so you can imagine we have significant evidence that we're going through at the moment
18:33Whether it's CCTV, whether it's social media
18:37We stood up Operation Shelter at the moment
18:39They will actually scrape through social media as well as the investigators
18:43We're keen to find out any evidence that may be available
18:46If people do have information or evidence
18:49We ask that they contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000
18:53We would like every bit of evidence
18:55Commissioner April of Disney, your predecessor
18:59Said that the relationship and information sharing between
19:03The Australian Federal Police and the New South Wales Police on counter terrorism
19:07Needed to be reviewed and improved
19:10Since that time, how has that relationship been improved, reviewed and improved?
19:15I think both organisations work very closely together and very well
19:19It is too premature in relation to this specific incident to talk about the information sharing
19:25The Australian Federal Police and the New South Wales Police obviously work within
19:29Joint Counter Terrorism arrangements
19:31We are committed as both agencies
19:33And I've spoken to the Federal Police Commissioner
19:35To make sure we work closely
19:37Together we keep the community safety
19:39Safe first, sorry
19:41So I'm very confident that both agencies are working together
19:43Premier, just a question for Premier
19:45Sorry Premier
19:47We've got this incident yesterday
19:49Where the shooter had a gun licence
19:52We've had John Edwards, Jack Alters and O'Neill Nazi
19:55Until recently had a gun licence
19:57Clearly New South Wales has a chequered recent history
20:00With people with gun licences committing criminal acts
20:04Doesn't our gun registry laws need to change?
20:08What can you do now to ensure this doesn't happen again?
20:12I mean the short answer is yes
20:14They need to change and they can change
20:17It does require legislation
20:19And it means introducing a bill to Parliament to
20:23I mean to be really blunt
20:25Make it more difficult to get these horrifying weapons
20:28That have no practical use in our community
20:32If you're not a farmer, if you're not involved in agriculture
20:35Why do you need these massive weapons that put the public in danger
20:40And make life dangerous and difficult for New South Wales Police
20:45So I understand, of course I understand
20:49The genuine desire to have information about how the law will change
20:53Where less than 24 hours into this horrifying crime
20:57I want to make sure that legislation and reform that we bring to Parliament
21:01Makes a big difference
21:02But that's exactly my intention
21:04And my colleagues feel exactly the same way
21:06Premier, what about an audit of current firearm licence holders
21:12To determine whether the people who currently have a licence
21:15Still need one
21:16Considering that we had a man in the suburban city of firearms
21:20Yeah, I mean that has been flagged by New South Wales Police as an issue
21:26Because the granting of a firearms licence in perpetuity
21:29Is clearly not fit for purpose when you consider
21:31That someone might have committed an offence
21:34Put themselves in a situation where they're considered by police
21:39Vulnerable to a criminal act
21:41We need to make sure the firearms legislation in New South Wales
21:44Is fit for purpose
21:45That does mean restricting firearms for the general public
21:49For the people of New South Wales
21:50But not everybody needs these weapons of mass destruction
21:53You don't need them on New South Wales streets
21:55So we will be looking at change
21:57But I understand you want details
22:00That's completely understandable
22:01You're going to have to give me some time
22:03To get the legislation drafted
22:05So that we can do it in an appropriate way
22:08In a way that will make a difference
22:10Will you consider recalling Parliament to make changes?
22:13Yes
22:14But Premier, can I ask
22:15Will the Opera House be lit up this week for other victims?
22:18We're working with the Jewish community
22:20About appropriate reflections and memorials
22:23And we'll have more to say about that soon
22:25Is that inappropriate for one?
22:26It may well be
22:27But I'm not ready to announce it at the moment
22:29Yes
22:30Will the Government consider changes
22:32For New Year's Eve celebrations
22:33And consider increased security
22:34Given threats that are circulating online
22:36About potential additional violent events
22:39And Commissioner, are you police aware
22:41Of those threats being made online?
22:43Look, of course that's a massive issue
22:45New South Wales Police, the Government
22:47Have turned our minds to those big celebrations
22:50Those iconic days in Sydney
22:52But at the moment
22:53Our immediate focus is on this investigation
22:55And keeping the community of Bondi
22:57Dover Heights safe
22:59Premier, are you aware
23:01Any of you aware about a social media post circulating
23:05About a violent rally in Cronulla on the 27th of December?
23:09Well, I'll answer and then throw it to Mal
23:11I mean, just say
23:12That will be met with the full force of the law
23:16There will be no tolerance
23:18No tolerance
23:19For any kind of retribution
23:23Or some kind of vindictive counter assault
23:27On anyone in our community
23:29We are not going to allow ever
23:31A situation where we descend into some kind of lawlessness
23:35And if you are considering participating in something like that
23:38You can expect a massive overwhelming police response
23:41It will not be tolerated
23:43We need to appeal for calm
23:45We need to be in a situation where we are saying to the people of New South Wales
23:49This is a horrible event
23:50You have to allow the communities in New South Wales to heal
23:55To have some moment of reflection
23:57Where they can mourn the loss of their loved ones
23:59The last thing we need is a descent into vindictive violence
24:03And we won't tolerate it in New South Wales
24:06Bill
24:08Yeah, thanks Premier
24:09I'm actually aware of that social media post
24:11One of the key roles of Operation Shelter
24:13Is to make sure that we scrape intelligence
24:16To make sure that we plan appropriate responses
24:18So this will be an ongoing process
24:20We will be looking for matters that we need to plan a police response about
24:25Our focus is clear
24:26To keep the community safe
24:28If people think that they're going to engage in violence
24:31They're wrong
24:32The police will be there
24:33The police will take appropriate action
24:34And I want to make that really clear
24:36Calm is what is required at the moment
24:38Retribution is inappropriate
24:40The community is in grief
24:42The community is mourning
24:44We need calm
24:45Thank you very much everyone
24:46Let's go
24:47Let's go
24:48Let's go
24:49Let's go
24:50Let's go
24:51Let's go
24:52Let's go
24:53Subscribe to One India
24:54And never miss an update
24:56Download the One India app now
Be the first to comment