In a significant shift following the devastating Bondi terror attack, Australian authorities are actively considering deploying the Australian Defence Force to protect Jewish sites across New South Wales. Premier Chris Minns confirmed the discussions on Sunday 28 December 2025, stating he would not rule out military support as part of a sweeping security review.
Immediate Changes for New Year's Eve
Mr Minns confirmed an immediate, visible change to security for Sydney's upcoming New Year's Eve celebrations: police officers will be deployed carrying long-arm firearms. The premier acknowledged this would be "confronting for some people," but argued the visible presence was necessary to reassure the public after the attack at a Jewish festival earlier in December.
"We haven't normally seen on the streets of Sydney, long-armed firearms, but NSW Police will have them," Mr Minns said. He added that he had spoken to many parents who would feel more comfortable with a major police presence, including "the firepower that is required to confront some evil terrorists."
Royal Commission to Probe Security Failures
The premier underscored that existing security arrangements had failed to prevent the Bondi attack, which he described as a catalyst for a broader review. "While there were police on site, it was clearly not enough to deal with the threat, as history has tragically shown," he stated.
A New South Wales royal commission will examine several critical areas, including:
- Intelligence sharing failures prior to the attack.
- The adequacy of police resourcing and response.
- Whether warnings about security risks were properly assessed.
- Protections for vulnerable communities.
Armed Security for Community Groups Under Review
Another major consideration is whether to arm the Community Security Group, the organisation that provides security at Jewish events. "That's a step that we haven't taken in the past," Mr Minns said, confirming his government was "actively" reviewing the option. The aim is to ensure security is in place that can respond effectively to serious threats.
The Bondi attack, which occurred earlier in December, saw a father and son open fire on a crowd at a Jewish festival. The attack killed 15 people and injured at least 40. Police identified the act as religiously motivated extremism "aligned with Islamic State." The father was shot dead at the scene, while the son was arrested and later faced 59 charges, including committing a terrorist act.
Security was already heightened during a vigil held last Sunday to mark a week since the attack, which coincided with the final night of Hanukkah. Police deployed officers with long-arm firearms and positioned snipers on rooftops overlooking Bondi, setting a precedent for the increased measures now being planned for New Year's Eve and beyond.
