The alleged gunmen behind the Bondi Beach terror attack were motivated by extremist Islamist ideology, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has confirmed. The remarks came after a deadly shooting at an iconic beachside Hanukkah event that 15 people dead and many more injured, shaking Jewish communities and the wider public.
Leaders link Bondi attack to ISIS
Albanese told reporters today at a joint press conference with NSW Premier Chris Minns, NSW Police Deputy Commissioner Mal Lanyon and AFP Commissioner Krissy Barrett that investigators now believe the attack was driven by extremist ideology rather than a random act of violence.
“It would appear that there is evidence that this was inspired by a terrorist organisation, by ISIS. Some of the evidence which is being procured, including the presence of Islamic State flags in the vehicle that has been seized, are part of that,” he said.
He stressed that the focus is on violent extremism, not a religion. “[The] radical perversion of Islam is absolutely a problem. It is something that has been identified globally as a problem as well. ISIS created an evil ideology that has been called out, not just by the Australian Government but globally right now.”
Earlier in the day, in an interview with ABC Sydney, he said: “It would appear that this was motivated by Islamic State ideology,” describing it as “the ideology that has been around for more than a decade that led to this ideology of hate, and in this case, a preparedness to engage in mass murder”.
Speaking for the first time on the terror attack after returning from overseas, AFP Commissioner Barrett used the opportunity to clarify the AFP’s position so there was no “confusion or ambiguity”.
“On Sunday, Jewish Australians were hunted down in broad daylight at an iconic Australian beach,” she said. “The suspected murderers — callous in how they allegedly coordinated their attack — appeared to have no regard for the age or ableness of their victims. It appears the alleged killers were interested only in a quest for a death tally.”
She said it is “understandable and right” that the community wants answers.
“Alleged evidence has provided investigators with a swathe of information that has enabled them to make this initial assessment about the alleged individuals involved and their motivations,” she said.
Barrett drew a clear line between extremist violence and people of faith, saying: “These are the alleged actions of those who have aligned themselves with a terrorist organisation not a religion.”
NSW Police Confirm ISIS Flags, IEDs and Philippines Trip
NSW Police Deputy Commissioner Lanyon outlined the parallel investigations now underway: one into the terror attack itself and one into police involvement in the deaths. He confirmed the crime scene will remain in place at Bondi until tomorrow afternoon, while specialist teams continue to collect and analyse evidence from the area and surrounding locations.
Lanyon confirmed that two homemade ISIS flags were found in the car of the 24-year-old shooter, Naveed Akram, alongside improvised explosive devices (IEDs). “We continue to work through the motive of this tragedy. And we’ll continue to do so. I think it’s really important that our investigators continue to be given time to do that,” Lanyon said.
He also said police are investigating why the two offenders travelled to the Philippines in November, as they try to establish whether that trip is connected to alleged planning or overseas links. The ABC earlier reported that the father-son gunmen Sajid and Naveed Akram went to the Philippines in recent weeks to receive “military-style training”.
Minns promises ‘toughest gun laws in Australia’
Gun laws will be “significantly tightened” in NSW, Minns confirmed, with the state government still working through details and timeframes. “I’m determined to bring in the toughest gun laws in Australia, and they’ll be significantly tightened in New South Wales,” he said.
In terms of how soon these changes will happen, Minns said they’ve still got work to do before NSW parliament is recalled.
“Logistically, we’re working with our MPs to get back into parliament as soon as possible. I haven’t had a detailed discussion with the Leader of the Opposition but in fairness to [Sussan Ley], we don’t have a draft bill,” Minns says.
“She has been incredible working with us over the last 24-48 hours.
“I don’t want to speak for the Coalition but I think we have to do all these things together.”
Albanese said he is working with states and territories to strengthen gun laws across Australia and thanked Minns for leading the charge in reforming gun laws. He said the reforms will include “limiting the number of firearms that one person can be licensed to hold”.
The prime minister has also been asked whether he would support a royal commission into the Bondi Beach terrorist attack. Anthony Albanese hasn’t ruled it out, but says the federal government’s immediate response is on the current investigation. “Our National Security Committee will meet again this afternoon. We will continue to monitor all of these issues,” Albanese said.
“My government is absolutely committed to working with New South Wales, as well as working with community organisations, particularly Jewish community organisations, at this time.”
Lead image: 9 News / AP
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