“To comprehend why such an attack occurs in Australia, it’s crucial to recognize that the nation isn’t isolated. Australia is intricately linked to a worldwide network,” he explained.

He noted a notable increase in plots tied to the IS group in Western nations since 2023, with Europe witnessing approximately 20 successful assaults.

The accused Bondi shooters, 50-year-old Sajid Akram and his 24-year-old son, Naveed Akram, had visited the Philippines weeks before their attack, suggesting potential international ties.

Dr. Clarke Jones, a criminologist from the Australian National University with experience working with offenders in the Philippines, mentioned that militants from groups like the Islamic State of East Asia are still active in the southern part of the country. This raises the possibility that the duo might have attended a training camp.

Australian National University criminologist Dr Clarke Jones, who works with offenders in the Philippines, says active militants from terrorist groups such as the Islamic State of East Asia are still operating in the southern Philippines, so it’s possible the pair attended a training camp.

Naveed Akram came to the attention of Australia’s intelligence agency ASIO in 2019 after he was found to be an associate of members of a NSW-based IS group cell. He was later deemed not to be a threat to national security by the agency.

Attack likely planned for some time

“Generally, it’s something that they’ve been thinking about for a while and potentially contemplating in order to get themselves to that point where they can do it.”

He points to the Philippines trip, as well as the fact that authorities found an improvised explosive device (IED) and a number of firearms, as potential evidence that the attack had been planned for some time.

Did Australia’s recognition of Palestine make it more susceptible?

None of the experts SBS News has spoken with believe Australia’s recognition of Palestine is a relevant factor in the Bondi attack.

He says more should be done to combat legitimate hate speech, which can be “a kind of visible warning of more extreme views”.

Mourners at the funeral of Rabbi Eli Schlanger, who was shot dead during the terror attack at Sydney’s Bondi Beach. Source: AAP / Mick Tsikas

Barton points to Wissam Haddad, a Muslim cleric in Sydney, who has long been known for his extremist views and lectures quoting religious texts about the killing of Jews. A Four Corners investigation this year identified him as the spiritual leader of Australia’s pro-IS group network.

“Some protests involve language that is wrong [and these people should be held to account], but most of it’s peaceful.”

Were we blindsided?

“[The conflict] prompted protest, exacerbated tension, undermined social cohesion and elevated intolerance.”

ASIO director-general Mike Burgess speaks at a press conference flanked by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (left) and AFP acting deputy commissioner for national security Nigel Ryan. Source: AAP / Lukas Coch

He also noted that disruptive actions and inflammatory rhetoric had been normalised.

While Burgess’ comments indicate Australian authorities were alert to the possibility of an attack like the one at Bondi, Zammit says it’s also possible some red flags were missed.

“Intelligence is inherently about dealing with uncertainty and is never going to prevent all attacks or even most, and it’s always easy to see red flags retrospectively.”

‘Focusing on individual failures can be unhelpful’

Zammit says inquiries into past terror attacks, such as the 2014 Lindt Cafe siege, have tended to focus on individuals who may have “dropped the ball”, for example, whether a psychiatrist made the right call.

Zammit notes the attack was carried out by a father and son, and this may have made it more difficult to detect.

Barton notes this is why it’s important that Australians pay attention, and not dismiss someone saying something extreme and dangerous as “just crazy talk”, and instead let authorities know.

What can we do?

“The conversation’s moved on to China and Russia, but I think that still needs to be part of our focus.”

A memorial drawn on the wall of a bridge at Bondi Beach as a tribute following last Sunday’s shooting. Source: AAP / Steve Markham

Albanese this week announced a gun buyback scheme and more funding for Operation Avalite, the antisemitism taskforce run by the Australian Federal Police. Further actions are under consideration.

“So we’ve very rarely had attacks in Australia by people who’ve actually trained overseas, unlike Europe.”

‘We want to stand up together’

He also notes that an important part of dealing with terrorism is resilience and “a society not changing its way of life too much” in response.