Australian police allege that the suspects behind last week’s deadly mass shooting at Bondi Beach trained for the attack in rural areas before targeting a Hanukkah gathering, as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese pledged sweeping new laws to counter hate and extremism.
Court documents released on Monday state that father and son Sajid Akram and Naveed carried out firearms training in the countryside of New South Wales ahead of the attack. The shooting killed 15 people, making it Australia’s deadliest mass killing in nearly 30 years.
Police said the suspects practised with shotguns and moved in what investigators described as a tactical manner. Authorities also released images allegedly showing the pair during training sessions.
Investigators further allege that the two recorded a video in October in which they spoke against “Zionists” while seated in front of a flag linked to the Islamic State. Police said the video outlined their motivations for the attack. Court documents also revealed that the suspects conducted a nighttime reconnaissance visit to Bondi Beach days before the shooting.
Australia observed a minute’s silence on Sunday evening, exactly one week after the first reports of gunfire emerged.
The full case against the Bondi shooters can be revealed after police and the media advocated for the release of court documents which allege the father and son trained in Australia for their attacks.
Read more: https://t.co/HESFP7hyzT pic.twitter.com/FPqFaeuHqf
— The Age (@theage) December 22, 2025Government Vows Tougher Laws
Speaking to reporters on Monday, Albanese said his government would introduce stronger legislation to combat extremism and hate speech. He announced plans to create an aggravated criminal offence for hate preaching.
“We’re not going to let ISIS-inspired terrorists win,” Albanese said. “We won’t let them divide our society, and we will get through this together.”
Read: Indian Passport of Bondi Beach Attacker Emerges After Sydney Hanukkah Shooting
The prime minister also apologised to the Jewish community and the broader nation, saying he felt a deep responsibility for the attack that occurred during his term in office. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to protecting Jewish Australians and ensuring their right to practise their faith freely and safely.
Shooters scouted Bondi before attack, trained in Australia, threw bombs at crowd, police say.https://t.co/eQ0Xw2kOnJ
— The Age (@theage) December 22, 2025The federal government has flagged major reforms to gun ownership laws and a review of police and intelligence agencies. Albanese also announced a nationwide gun buyback scheme to remove firearms from circulation. Officials say it is the largest such programme since 1996, when Australia tightened gun laws after the Port Arthur massacre.
The New South Wales Government recalled its parliament on Monday to introduce what it described as the toughest firearm reforms in the country. Premier Chris Minns said the laws reflect a changed security reality.
Read: Albanese Orders Intelligence Review After Deadly Bondi Beach Attack
Under the proposed reforms, individuals will be limited to owning four firearms, or ten for exempted groups such as farmers. Officials said the state currently has more than 1.1 million registered firearms.
The legislation would also ban the public display of terrorist symbols, including the Islamic State flag, which police said they found in a vehicle linked to one of the suspects. Authorities would also gain powers to ban protests for up to three months following a terrorist incident.
Police shot and killed Sajid Akram, 50, during the attack. He was an Indian national who entered Australia on a visa in 1998. His son, Naveed, 24, an Australian-born citizen, was transferred from hospital to jail on Monday, according to police.
