Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced Thursday that his government plans to introduce a national bravery award to recognize the civilians and first responders who risked their lives during a mass shooting earlier this month that left 15 people dead during a Hanukkah celebration.
The announcement came as Australia grapples with the aftermath of its deadliest massacre since 1996, which officials have described as an ISIS-inspired attack targeting the country’s Jewish community over the holidays.
Albanians said Christmas was marked by a sharp contrast between extremist violence and the “best of humanity.”
“This Christmas is different because of the anti-terror and terrorist attacks motivated by ISIS and anti-Semitism,” Albanese said at a press conference. “But at the same time, as we have seen the worst of humanity, we have seen the courage, the kindness and the compassion… of those who rushed into danger.”
AUSTRALIAN PM ALBANESE IS EXPOSED DURING BONDI BEACH AWAITS EARLIER HANUKKAH ATTACK VICTIMS
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese met Ahmed al Ahmed at St George Hospital in Sydney on December 16. (Australian Prime Minister’s Office via AP)
Albanese said his government plans to introduce a special awards system to recognize the heroism of those who faced what he called “the worst of evil” during the December 14 attack, including Ahmed al Ahmed, a Syrian-born Australian Muslim store owner who was captured on video tackling and disarming one of the gunmen before he was injured.
The award would reward those nominated for bravery or meritorious awards under Australia’s existing Honors and Awards system for their actions during and after the attack, The Associated Press said.
Two different bystanders, identified as Boris and Sofia Gurman, were seen on video confronting a gunman before the shooting began at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia.
Terror attack in Australia exposes ISIS resurgence as experts warn of global jihadist networks
Despite their efforts to disarm him, the gunman later overpowered and killed them, authorities said.
Australian authorities say a father and son charged with carrying out the attack – 50-year-old Sajid Akram and his 24-year-old son, Naveed Akram – filmed a video manifesto that included anti-Semitic language and expressions of support for the Islamic State.
The pair may have been planning the attack for several months, investigators said.
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Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and his wife Jodie Haydon attend a memorial service for the victims of a shooting at Bondi Beach in Sydney, December 21, 2025. (Saeed Khan/AFP via Getty Images)
Only the son survived the attack and is now charged with murder and terrorism.
