Australia observed a national day of mourning on Thursday in memory of the 15 people killed in last month’s mass shooting at Bondi Beach, as flags were lowered nationwide and the country prepared for a major memorial at the Sydney Opera House.
The December 14 attack, which targeted a Hanukkah celebration in Sydney’s Bondi area, was carried out by a father and son who opened fire on attendees, marking the deadliest mass shooting in Australia in decades. Authorities have said the pair were inspired by Islamic State and classified the assault as a terrorist attack against Jewish Australians.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the day was meant to honor the victims and show solidarity with Australia’s Jewish community.
“Today is an opportunity for us to remember and pay respect to the 15 lives lost,” Albanese told reporters. “It is also a moment for our nation to wrap our arms around the Jewish community, because people were targeted simply for being Jewish Australians.”
A nationwide minute of silence was scheduled just after 7 p.m. local time in Sydney, coinciding with the start of the main commemoration event at the Opera House.
“This is a chance to pause, reflect on what has happened, and pay our respects,” Albanese said, inviting Australians across the country to observe the moment.
At the Sydney Opera House, relatives of the victims and community leaders were set to light candles and attend a ceremony featuring speeches from lawmakers, Jewish prayers, and video tributes.
In parallel, prominent landmarks and public buildings — including cricket stadiums in Melbourne and Perth — were illuminated in tribute to those killed.
The Bondi attack sent shockwaves across the country and prompted renewed debate over antisemitism and gun control in Australia.
In the wake of the shooting, the Albanese government pledged tougher action on both hate crimes and firearms regulation.
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Australia’s lower house of parliament on Tuesday passed legislation to enable a national gun buyback scheme and tighten background checks for firearm licenses. The measures were approved despite opposition from conservative lawmakers.
Separately, parliament is also debating reforms that would lower the threshold for prosecuting hate speech offenses, aimed at strengthening protections against religious and ethnic targeting.
As Australia mourns the victims, political leaders say the legislative changes are intended to prevent similar tragedies and address rising concerns over extremist violence and antisemitism.
