Good afternoon. The alleged Bondi terror attack gunman Naveed Akram has been charged with 59 offences, including committing a terrorist act and 15 counts of murder. Meanwhile, political fallout is escalating, with the NSW parliament recalled to deal with “urgent legislation” on gun control, and the premier, Chris Minns, flagging changes to laws to restrict protests when there is a “terrorism designation” in the state.
Former Liberal MP and federal treasurer Josh Frydenberg has urged the prime minister to “accept personal responsibility” for the deaths of 15 victims in Sunday’s shooting. His successor, Jim Chalmers, responded that Labor would “take suggestions from him or from other members of the community very seriously”. The opposition leader, Sussan Ley, has suggested Australia “should screen people who come to this country for antisemitism”.
The niece of Boris Tetleroyd, the 13th victim named, today said his death “has left a void that words cannot express”.
As of early Wednesday afternoon, 21 people were still in hospital – including 22-year-old Jack Hibbert, a probationary constable on duty at the time of the attack who has lost sight in one eye after being shot.
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In pictures
Hundreds of swimmers formed circles on the beach and in the ocean at Bondi beach this morning. “We need to be here for the people who have been the victims of the attack,” one swim club organiser told reporter Penry Buckley, “and for our community who are in pain.”
What they said …
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“It’s unthinkable for me to have to say something to a crowd and not be able to come to him and say: ‘Eli, what do you think about these deaths?’” – Rabbi Yehoram Ulman
The father-in-law of Eli Schlanger spoke as mourners gathered at Sydney’s Chabad of Bondi Synagogue to grieve the rabbi, who was killed in the terror attack.
Full Story
A moment of reckoning for Australia’s gun laws
As the Jewish community continues to grieve, attention has also turned to how other violent acts can be prevented.
Investigations reporter Ariel Bogle and political editor Tom McIlroy speak to Reged Ahmad about the data showing Sydney has a “frightening concentration” of gun ownership and why the pressure is on Anthony Albanese to do more to make the Jewish community feel safe.
Before bed read
The Ruapehu region is emblematic of a question facing New Zealand: how to prevent rural regions – and the country at large – from hollowing out as residents pack up and seek new lives elsewhere. Eva Corlett finds out about what’s making people stay.
Daily word game
Today’s starter word is: TRIO. You have five goes to get the longest word including the starter word. Play Wordiply.
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