NSW Premier Defends Police Actions After Deadly Bondi Attack Amid Public Scrutiny

The New South Wales premier has firmly defended the police response to the deadly attack at a Jewish festival at Bondi Beach, pushing back against criticism that officers were slow to confront the gunmen. Chris Minns said claims questioning police conduct failed to reflect the reality faced by officers on the ground and overlooked acts of courage that left some police fighting for their lives.

The attack, which unfolded on Sunday at one of Australia’s most iconic beaches, left 15 people dead and dozens more injured. Two gunmen opened fire during the festival, triggering panic and chaos as crowds fled for safety. The shooting spree lasted about ten minutes before police confronted the attackers, killing one and critically injuring the other.

In the aftermath, some witnesses suggested officers hesitated or froze during the attack. One witness described seeing the gunmen repeatedly fire and reload, expressing frustration that police did not intervene sooner. These accounts quickly gained attention, fueling questions about the speed and preparedness of the response, as well as whether adequate security had been in place ahead of the event.

Minns addressed these criticisms directly, urging the public to avoid what he described as a rush to judgment. He emphasized that two police officers were left in critical condition after the confrontation, underscoring the risks they faced. According to the premier, the officers were shot while advancing toward the attackers, not while retreating. He said they were shot in the front, highlighting that they moved toward danger rather than away from it.

The premier explained that officers engaged the gunmen on a footbridge armed only with handguns, while the attackers were carrying long range rifles. He described the encounter as an extremely dangerous situation in which police took decisive action despite being outgunned. Minns said the suggestion that police failed to meet their responsibilities was unfair and not supported by the facts as they are currently known.

Questions have also been raised about security arrangements before the attack, particularly given the size and nature of the event. Minns acknowledged that all aspects of the incident would be examined, but cautioned against assigning blame before formal reviews are completed. He stressed that investigations would look at planning, response times, and coordination, but said this process should not diminish recognition of officers’ bravery.

The premier said criticism directed at police in the immediate aftermath risked being disrespectful to those injured and to families of officers who put themselves in harm’s way. He described the response as one marked by integrity and commitment, arguing that officers acted to stop further loss of life under extraordinary pressure.

As the state mourns the victims, authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the attack. Minns said transparency would be maintained throughout the review process and that lessons would be learned where necessary. However, he remained resolute that the actions of NSW Police during the Bondi attack should be understood in context and judged with care.

The incident has reignited national conversations about public safety, event security, and emergency response. For now, the premier’s message is clear: the officers who ran toward gunfire did so with courage, and their actions should not be reduced to assumptions made in the heat of grief and shock.