Calls for greater Bondi police presence went unheeded

In the recalled parliament, Prime Minister Chris Minns introduced the legislative package he developed in response to the December 14 tragedy.

The omnibus bill criminalizes the display of terrorist symbols, such as the ISIS flag; imposes significant restrictions on the possession of firearms; and allows the police commissioner to prevent protests occurring for up to three months following a terrorist incident; This is a power that NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon exercised less than 24 hours after the bill was passed.

Restrictions on protests are controversial and will be subject to constitutional challenge. They came after Australia’s ambassador on antisemitism described a pro-Palestinian protest at the Harbor Bridge in August as a “warning” that a tragedy like December 14 could occur.

But whatever their ability to combat antisemitism, a crackdown on protests could not assuage the Jewish community’s concerns about police indifference at the Hanukkah Seaside event.

Aspect reporter‘s chief correspondent, Jordan Baker, wrote in the days after the attack that it was general duty police officers, who often deal with motor vehicle crashes, burglaries and pub brawls, who found themselves responsible for stopping the deadliest attack Australia has witnessed in 30 years.

It is crucial that planned investigations into the circumstances leading up to the tragedy at Bondi determine whether police should have been better prepared to deal with the incident, particularly given what is now known about concerns previously raised by the Jewish community.

It is unacceptable that these concerns are ignored. The Jewish community deserves to know the cause of this suffering.

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