Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has ordered a review of police and intelligence services following a deadly shooting at a Jewish festival on Bondi Beach that left 15 people dead.
The attack took place on December 14 during a Hanukkah celebration at Sydney’s most famous beach. Authorities say a father and his son opened fire on families attending the event. Investigators believe the attack was inspired by Daesh ideology.
Albanese said the government would examine whether Australia’s police and intelligence agencies have the necessary powers, structures, and information-sharing arrangements to keep the public safe. He described the incident as a reminder of the rapidly changing security environment facing the country.
“The Daesh-inspired atrocity reinforces how complex the threat landscape has become,” Albanese said. “Our security agencies must be in the strongest position to respond.”
#BREAKING: Anthony Albanese has asked his department to lead a review into intelligence and law enforcement agencies following the Bondi terror attack. https://t.co/nhdfNEFYLA
— ABC News (@abcnews) December 21, 2025Suspects and Prior Intelligence Review
Police shot and killed alleged gunman Sajid Akram, 50, at the scene. Akram, an Indian national, entered Australia on a visa in 1998. His 24-year-old son, Naveed, who was born in Australia, remains in hospital under police guard. Authorities have charged him with terrorism and 15 counts of murder.
Australian officials confirmed that the son came under review by the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation in 2019 over possible radicalisation. At the time, the agency concluded that he did not pose a threat. His father was also questioned during that review.
Despite the earlier assessment, the father later obtained a firearms licence that allowed him to own six guns legally. Albanese said the government must closely examine how those decisions were made.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has launched a review into law enforcement and intelligence agencies due in April, to investigate whether agencies have adequate powers and information-sharing arrangements. @ijmullen pic.twitter.com/4g17YmnCuO
— 7NEWS Sydney (@7NewsSydney) December 21, 2025“We need to look back at what happened in 2019 and understand the assessment process,” he told national broadcaster Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
Philippines Trip Under Scrutiny
Investigators are also examining a four-week trip the pair made to the southern Philippines shortly before the attack. Both Australian and Philippine authorities are reviewing their movements during their stay.
Albanese said officials are investigating whether the trip contributed to the alleged radicalisation. He added that the suspects were not considered persons of interest before the attack, which made the incident particularly shocking.
Authorities in the Philippines said there is no evidence that the country is being used as a training base for extremists. However, security officials confirmed that the two men stayed at a hotel in Davao City and largely kept to themselves.
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Hotel staff told investigators that the pair spent most of their 28-day stay inside their room. They usually left for only a few hours at a time. Philippine police said the father visited a gun shop during the trip.
Experts Call Case Unusual
Criminologist Clarke Jones from the Australian National University described the case as highly unusual. He said attacks involving a father and son are rare in terrorism cases.
Jones said the pair could have travelled within the Philippines without raising alarms. He added that the alleged radicalisation appeared to go undetected for years after the initial intelligence review. He stressed the importance of early intervention. According to Jones, authorities should assess whether stronger support or monitoring in 2019 could have helped prevent the attack.
The government has not announced a timeline for the review but says it will examine intelligence processes, threat assessments, and interagency coordination to prevent future attacks.
*With additional information incorporated from AFP news reporting
