In a significant shift in security policy, New South Wales Premier Chris Minns has announced his government is actively considering arming the Jewish Community Security Group (CSG) in the aftermath of the devastating Bondi terror attack. The premier also confirmed that police will, for the first time, carry long-arm rifles at Sydney's major New Year's Eve celebrations.
Security Review in Wake of Tragedy
The announcement follows reports that police may have failed to act on a specific warning from the CSG, which had identified the Bondi festival as a high-security risk requiring a greater police presence. The attack, which police allege was carried out by father-son duo Sajid and Naveed Akram in religiously motivated extremism aligned with Islamic State, resulted in 15 fatalities and 40 injuries.
Minns stated that while police were present at the event, their numbers were "clearly, clearly not enough to deal with the threat." He emphasised the need for a root-and-branch overhaul of security protocols, a process to be informed by a forthcoming NSW royal commission into the attack. "We need to have a longer, deeper look at arming CSG," Minns said. "That is a step that we haven't taken in the past."
Visible Police Presence for Public Reassurance
The premier defended the decision to deploy officers with long-arm rifles at Sydney's upcoming New Year's Eve event, acknowledging it would be "confronting for some people." However, he argued it was necessary to send a clear message that public safety is the government's paramount obligation. This follows a similar visible deployment during a vigil last Sunday, where police with long-arm guns and snipers were positioned on rooftops overlooking Bondi.
"My sense is... I have spoken to a lot of parents, and they would feel far more comfortable if there was a major police presence," Minns explained, adding that such firepower was required to confront "evil terrorists" should a similar threat emerge.
Broad Spectrum of Options Under Consideration
Minns indicated that no security measure is off the table, including the potential deployment of army troops to protect Jewish sites. While he stated discussions were ongoing and he would not "front-run" any decision, he explicitly refused to rule the option out. It is understood, however, that there are no current formal discussions with the federal government regarding troop deployment; the premier's comments refer to it as one of many options being evaluated.
The Community Security Group, described on its website as being led by security professionals and supported by trained volunteers, monitors threats and provides security for Jewish community events across Australia. The move to consider arming them marks a potential new chapter in community-led security measures in NSW.
