Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will create a national bravery honour to recognise civilians and first responders who intervened in the Dec. 14 Bondi-area antisemitic attack that killed 15. He cited individuals such as Ahmed al Ahmed, who disarmed an attacker and was wounded. New South Wales has passed tougher gun laws and leaders have urged Australians to stand with Jewish communities during a difficult fortnight. The honours will be processed through an expedited pathway within the existing Australian Honours system.
Albanese To Create National Bravery Honour For Bondi Heroes After Deadly Antisemitic 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 Thursday to establish a national bravery honour to recognise civilians and first responders who intervened during an antisemitic terror attack in the Bondi area that left 15 people dead and cast a pall over the nation’s holiday season.
Honouring Acts of Courage
Albanese said the new honours pathway would fast-track recognition within the existing Australian Honours system for those who placed themselves in harm’s way at a beachside Hanukkah celebration on Dec. 14. He highlighted people such as Ahmed al Ahmed, a Syrian-Australian Muslim who disarmed one of the attackers and was wounded in the process.
“This Christmas is a different one because of the anti-terror and the terrorist attack motivated by ISIS and antisemitism,” 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.”
Suspected Attackers
Authorities say Sajid Akram, who was shot dead by police during the incident, and his 24-year-old son Naveed Akram are accused of carrying out what officials have described as among Australia’s worst massacres since 1996. Investigations and legal processes are ongoing.
Difficult Fortnight
Speaking at a Sydney press event after a Christmas Day lunch hosted by a charitable foundation, New South Wales Premier Chris Minns urged national solidarity with Jewish communities, calling the weeks since the attack a fortnight of "heartbreak and pain." He asked Australians to offer support and reassurance to neighbours affected by the violence.
Tougher Gun Laws And Public-Safety Measures
The New South Wales parliament this week passed sweeping gun reforms that include capping individual firearm ownership at four, reclassifying certain high-risk weapons such as pump-action firearms, shortening permit durations to two years, restricting some ownership to Australian citizens, and removing the review pathway for denied licences. The package also bans public displays of terrorist symbols and grants police expanded powers to limit gatherings in specific areas after terrorist incidents.
Albanese said national action on gun laws would follow, noting that while legislation alone cannot erase hatred or extremism, restricting access to lethal weapons is a necessary step to reduce the risk of future mass violence.
What Comes Next
The proposed honours pathway would recognise people nominated and recommended for bravery or meritorious awards for their actions during and immediately after the attack. Officials say the measure seeks to publicly acknowledge extraordinary acts of courage while investigations continue.
