Bondi Beach terror attack: Australian PM apologizes to Jewish community

December 22, 2025

Canberra: Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese apologized to the country’s Jewish community on Monday following the Bondi Beach mass shooting and announced new laws targeting hate speech.

At a press conference in Canberra on Monday afternoon, Albanese said he felt a “burden of responsibility” for the December 14 incident at Sydney’s Bondi Beach during a celebration of the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah, which claimed the lives of 15 people.

“I regret what the Jewish community and the entire country have suffered,” he said, as reported by Xinhua news agency.

New laws against hate speech

He said his government would work “every day” to protect Jewish Australians and ensure Islamic State-inspired terrorists do not succeed in dividing Australian society.

Albanese said his cabinet met on Monday, its second meeting since the attack, and agreed to advance a legislative package to address hate speech and its consequences.

These new laws, to be introduced in Parliament in 2026, will increase existing criminal penalties for hate speech, make hateful intent a factor in sentencing, and empower the Home Affairs Minister to revoke visas for individuals found to be promoting violence or displaying hate symbols.

Concerns over radicalization of youth

In addition, a new serious criminal offense will be added for adults who attempt to influence and radicalize children.

Attorney-General Michelle Rowland said that 10 of the 120 people convicted of terrorism offenses in Australia since 2001 were children, while 17 of the 33 people currently facing terrorism charges are minors.

He said, “This unprecedented radicalization of our youth must stop. We will not allow extremists to brainwash and turn our children toward hatred or terrorism.”

Albanese said the government would consult with all parties in the federal parliament to ensure swift action and national unity on these new laws.