Bondi attack: Live updates as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announces new measures to tackle anti-Semitism

The crime scene at Bondi Beach has been lifted following the conclusion of a police operation.

Archer Park and its surrounding areas were closed following the terrorist attack last Sunday at the Chanukah by the Sea event.

NSW Police says it has “extensively examined” the site.

Members of the public can now access the area to collect their vehicles from the location, however, the Queen Elizabeth Drive carpark will remain closed to the public.

Southbound lanes of Campbell Parade will also remain closed until further notice.

“Police would like to thank the community for their patience while the crime scene was in place,” a statement from NSW Police read.

They will remain in the Bondi area to support the community.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has defended himself amid criticism he hasn’t done enough and wasn’t invited to victims’ funerals. He says he’s reached out to families.

“I have just been down in Bondi on Monday morning, what is now a large memorial. Early on I met with police, members of the community. I have been to homes in Bondi,” he said.

“Just on Tuesday I visited the home of the rabbi and met with families grieving who are going through complete trauma and I understand that. I have met with the families and have spoken to them.

“I respect the wishes of families and I will continue to engage with the community. I met with the community leaders and members last night.

“On the night before I was with grieving families as well and community leaders at Admiralty House.

“Each and every day I have met face-to-face with people who are going through the worst of grieving processes as well and I will continue to engage with them.”

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has admitted “more could’ve been done” as he’s asked about the government’s part in failing to prevent a terrorist attack.

“Of course more could have always been done. Governments aren’t perfect. I’m not perfect,” he said.

“My heart goes out to what is a community that are suffering, that have been targeted.

“This is very different from Port Arthur or other atrocities - the murder of the police officers by so-called sovereign citizens in Queensland and Melbourne - because this was targeting based upon hate.

“I of course acknowledge that more could have been done, and I accept my responsibility for the part in that as Prime Minister of Australia. But what I also do is accept my responsibility to lead the nation and unite the nation. Because what people are looking for at this time isn’t more division. They are looking to come together.”

Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke says today’s announcement of new laws to tackle anti-Semitism, including hate speech shows “we have no time for organisations where their mission is to hate Australia”.

“There have been organisations which any Australian would look at and say their behaviour, their philosophy, and what they are trying to do is about division, and has no place in Australia. And yet, for a generation, no government has been able to successfully take action against them because they have fallen just below the legal threshold.”

“Today, we’re announcing that we’re shifting the threshold. We have no time for organisations where their mission is to hate Australia and to hate fellow Australians.

“Secondly, there have been individuals who have managed to exploit a nation that had different principles of freedom of speech and have gone right to the limits of language that is clearly dehumanising, unacceptable, having no place in Australia, but have not quite crossed the threshold to violence … we’re announcing that we’re working on the legislation now to lower those thresholds.

“Those who hate Australia will have no legal consequences that will change the sense of what it is to be safe in this country.”

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced disaster relief payments will be available for those affected by the Bondi terror attack.

“I can also announce today the disaster recovery funding arrangements will be triggered in response to the attack. So the Commonwealth and New South Wales will share the financial burden of the recovery. This is the first time that the DRFA has been used for a terrorist attack,” Mr Albanese said at a press conference in Canberra.

“This will provide support to victims, their families and small businesses impacted in the wake of the Bondi Beach terror attack.”

“Over the coming days, I’ll have more to say about the government’s response to Sunday’s atrocity, including on gun control. And I note that New South Wales is moving on that next week.”

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says “It’s clear we need to do more” after Sunday’s terror attack at Bondi, announcing a number of new measures to tackle anti-Semitism.

“Australians are shocked and angry. I am angry. It is clear we need to do more to combat this evil scourge much more,” he said.

“Firstly, the Attorney-General and Minister for Home Affairs will develop legislative reforms to crack down on those who spread hate, division and radicalisation.

“The National Security Committee has agreed that changes will include the following five points: Agreed changes will include - aggravated hate speech offence for preachers and leaders who promote violence.

“Secondly, increased penalties for hate speech promoting violence.

“Thirdly, making hate an aggravating factor in sentencing crimes for online threats and harassment.

“Fourthly, developing a regime for listing organisations whose leaders engage in hate speech promoting violence or racial hatred.

“And fifthly, developing a narrow federal offence for serious vilification based on race and/or advocating racial supremacy.

“The Minister for Home Affairs will also have new powers to cancel or reject visas for those who spread hate and division in this country, or would do so if they were allowed to come here.”

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is due to speak to the media in Canberra shortly following a national security commttee meeting.

It follows former treasurer Josh Frydenberg’s blaming Mr Albanese’s leadership for the Bondi terror attack.

“Our prime minister, our government, has allowed Australia to be radicalised on his watch,” he said in a 20 minute speech yesterday in Bondi.

Stay with us for all the latest updates.

A man has been charged with allegedly threatening violence against the Jewish community on a flight from Bali, just four days after the Bondi Beach terror attack targeting a Hanukkah celebration.

Australian Federal Police say the 19-year-old from Condell Park made anti-Semitic threats and hand gestures indicating violence towards the alleged victim, who the man knew to be affiliated with the Jewish community.

Read more

Sydney braces for another day of mourning with the youngest and oldest victims of the Bondi terror massacre to be farewelled in funerals.

The first of Thursday’s funerals was for 87-year-old Holocaust survivor Alex Kleytman at Woollahra Chevra Kadisha.

The youngest killed in the attack, 10-year-old Matilda, will be laid to rest at midday at the same venue.

Sussan Ley is expected to attend Matilda’s funeral in Sydney’s eastern suburbs.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is in Canberra for a meeting with the national security committee, and will not attend.

Former attorney-general Mark Dreyfus, who is Jewish, has urged his Labor colleagues to pick up the “whole lot of useful suggestions” from Jillian Segal’s report as a starting point for stronger action to tackle anti-Semitism.

Ms Segal, the Special Envoy to Combat Anti-Semitism, handed a plan to the Government in July with recommendations including screening visa applicants for anti-Semitic views, stronger education, and review hate speech laws.

“Many of those suggestions and recommendations that Gillian Segal made back in July have already been acted on. She herself has said that others still need to be acted on. We need to accelerate,” Mr Dreyfus told ABC radio.

But he said the calls for a Royal Commission – including from former Liberal minister Josh Frydenberg – were misplaced because setting up such an inquiry could delay action.

“That’s not what’s needed right now. What’s needed right now is more action,” he said.

“We’re going to make sure that whatever resources are needed are now put into making sure that Australia is again a place where Jews can feel safe, because it isn’t now.

“It might be more money is needed … in addition to the tens of millions of dollars that have already been put in for physical security of Jewish community, institutions, schools, synagogues. I wish this wasn’t needed, but it is, and that needs to be looked at too.

“But we need to strengthen respect and trust across our community. It’s something that we all, all Australians, have to work on.”