Good afternoon. Under rapid questioning over the NSW police response to Sunday’s terror attack at Bondi beach, Chris Minns offered a heated defence. “There are two officers in critical care,” he said. “They weren’t shot in the back as they were running away. They were shot in the front.”
At the same press conference this afternoon, the prime minister said the father and son duo allegedly behind the attack appeared to have been inspired by Islamic State, as police confirmed they were investigating why the pair recently visited the Philippines.
Earlier, Anthony Albanese visited Ahmed al-Ahmed, who tackled one of the shooters, and praised him as “the best of our country”. Ahmed was also thanked by the King and is likely to receive a bravery award.
NSW Health’s midday update said 24 patients were still in hospital, with three in critical condition and five critical but stable.
Gun control advocates have urged the PM to show the same determination and commitment as John Howard after Port Arthur, and abolish recreational hunting licences.
“At Bondi, every Jewish person’s worst nightmare came true,” Albanese’s former adviser Dean Sherr wrote for the Guardian. “Can we still have a safe future in Australia?”
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In pictures
At the same time beachgoers were fleeing the Bondi terror attack, a viral photo shows lifeguard Jackson Doolan sprinting “pedal to the metal” barefoot from Tamarama towards the scene.
What they said …
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“Everyone [who] knew him knew the incredible man that was just too big for this world. The light that he added, his absolute immense and endless generosity, his sense of humour.” – Sheina Gutnick
The daughter of victim Reuven Morrison identified her father as the man seen in footage hurling an object at gunman Sajid Akram after he was disarmed by Ahmed. “He went down fighting,” she said, “protecting the people he loved most.”
Full Story
Shock, grief and political reaction: Bondi terror attack aftermath
More than 24 hours since the Bondi attack, a clearer picture is emerging.
Senior reporter Ben Doherty speaks to Reged Ahmad about what we now know about the alleged gunmen, the grief and fear expressed by the Jewish community and the prime minister’s promise to examine Australia’s gun laws.
Before bed read
Cricket fans heading to Adelaide Oval for the start of the third Ashes Test have been reassured that there’s no increased threat level – but there will be extra security.
And if England’s 2-0 deficit becomes an Ashes-losing 3-0, writes Geoff Lemon, well, the home crowd won’t be mad. “Pin this to whatever part of the national psyche that you wish, but whatever the score, right to the last session of the summer, Australians en masse now want to see England taken apart piece by piece.”
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