Albanese Announces Special Honours List to Recognize Bondi Heroes

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Heroes, first responders, medical staff and others who stepped up to help amid the Bondi terror attack will be recognised in a special honours list next year, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced.

Albanese said he had written to Governor-General Sam Mostyn to request the creation of the new awards, which will be similar to those that were established after the Bali bombings and the MH17 plane crash.

“This would recognise those individuals nominated and recommended for a bravery or a meritorious award in response to the Bondi terrorist attack,” he said in a press conference in Canberra.

“At the worst of times … we see the best of the Australian character.

“We witnessed it in the bravery of those who sacrificed their lives confronting the terrorists as they emerged from the vehicle. We also saw it in the swift response of police and emergency services who rushed to help those in need,” he remarked.

“We saw it with the medical staff and professionals stopping having dinner and rushing to St Vincent’s Hospital or Prince Alfred Hospital or other places to provide assistance, and we saw it in the days after as well, with people making extraordinary personal sacrifices in order to help their fellow Australians,” Albanese said.

He announced that the awards would be revealed in the coming year.

Ahmed Al-Ahmed, a tobacco shop owner, sustained injuries while bravely confronting and disarming one of the suspected shooters. He is currently recovering from several surgeries and has received hospital visits from prominent figures, including Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, New South Wales Premier Chris Minns, and Opposition Leader Sussan Ley.

Many stories of bravery and sacrifice have surfaced since the mass shooting, which targeted a Jewish Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach on 14 December and left 15 people dead.

Boris and Sofia Gurman were likely among the first killed. Dash cam footage appears to show the couple trying to disarm one of the suspected shooters before they were gunned down by alleged accomplice Naveed Akram.

Following the 2002 Bali bombings, numerous individuals were honored for their courageous actions during the crisis, with many receiving commendations for their bravery.

Albanese also highlighted stories of two police officers he had met: one who had driven from Newcastle to Bondi to help, and another who had worked all night.

“That’s the sort of recognition that I want to see publicly recognised. That’s not why people do it, but it’s important that we as a nation celebrate our heroes and celebrate good deeds,” he said.

She mentioned that the government is working swiftly to secure deductible gift-recipient status for the foundation through the Australian Taxation Office.

He noted that it served as an occasion for Herzog to convey his sympathies to the victims and the nation.

The government also announced the Jewish Community Foundation, which has been raising funds for those affected by the Bondi attack, had been declared a community charity.

Finance Minister Katy Gallagher said: “This is part of our ongoing work to support community organisations that are helping the victims of the Bondi Beach terrorist attack and their families, and bringing the community together in such difficult times.”

She said the government was working urgently to approve the foundation’s deductible gift-recipient status with the Australian Taxation Office.

Israeli president invited to visit

Albanese said he had a “very constructive discussion” with Israeli President Isaac Herzog on Tuesday night.

He described it as an opportunity for Herzog to express his condolences to the victims and to the country.

Albanese said he had written to the governor-general to request a formal invitation to be issued to Herzog to have him visit Australia early next year to “honour and remember victims of the Bondi antisemitic terrorist attack and provide support for Jewish Australians and the Australian Jewish community at this time”.

Albanese said he had not spoken to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu since the attack.

His Israeli counterpart has been critical of his leadership. Albanese declined to comment on Netanyahu’s criticisms, telling reporters: “I don’t think this is a time for any partisan politics.”

“We’ve invited President Herzog, which is entirely appropriate for the head of state to visit.”