Australia announces bravery award for heroes of Bondi terror attack
In this photo released by the Prime Minister office, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese meets Ahmed al Ahmed at St George Hospital in Sydney, Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025. (Australian Prime Minister Office via AP)
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced plans for a national bravery award to recognise civilians and first responders who confronted “the worst of evil” during an antisemitic terror attack that left 15 dead and has cast a heavy shadow over the nation’s holiday season.
Mr Albanese said he plans to establish a special honours system for those who placed themselves in harm’s way to help during the attack on a beachside Hanukkah celebration, like Ahmed al Ahmed, a Syrian-Australian Muslim who disarmed one of the assailants before being wounded himself.
Sajid Akram, who was killed by police during the December 14 attack, and his 24-year-old son Naveed Akram are accused of perpetrating Australia’s worst massacre since 1996.
Speaking at a press conference after a Christmas lunch at a charitable foundation in Sydney, Mr Albanese described a Christmas defined by a sharp contrast between extremist violence and the “best of humanity”.
“This Christmas is a different one because of the anti-terror and the terrorist attack motivated by Isis and antisemitism,” Mr Albanese said.
“But at the same time as we have seen the worst of humanity, we have seen the bravery and kindness and compassion… from those who rushed to danger.”
The proposed honours would recognise those who are nominated and recommended for bravery or meritorious awards under the existing Australian Honours and Awards system for their actions during and after the attack.
Just a day after pushing through the country’s toughest firearm laws, New South Wales state leader Chris Minns issued a plea for national solidarity, urging Australians to support their Jewish neighbours during what he described as a fortnight of “heartbreak and pain”.
“Everybody in Australia needs to wrap their arms around them and lift them up,” Mr Minns said at the same press conference on Thursday.
At the worst of times, we see the best of Australians.
— Anthony Albanese (@AlboMP) December 24, 2025
We will recognise the heroes of the Bondi terrorist attack with new honours and awards. pic.twitter.com/eyJFX5QCwM
“I want them to know that Australians have got their back. We’re in their corner and we’re going to help them get through this.”
The gun reforms, which passed through the New South Wales state legislature on Christmas Eve, include capping individual gun ownership at four and reclassifying high-risk weapons like pump-action firearms.
The legislation also tightens licensing by reducing permit terms to two years, restricting ownership to Australian citizens, and removing the review pathway for license denials.
“Gun reform alone will not solve hatred or extremism, but we can’t fail to act on restricting access to weapons,” Mr Minns said earlier in the week when introducing the proposed laws.
Other new laws will ban the public display of terrorist symbols and grant police expanded powers to restrict public gatherings in specific areas following terrorist incidents.
Mr Albanese has also announced plans to tighten Australia’s already strict gun laws.
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