The prime minister says the awards will be announced next year.
Albanese said he had written to Governor-General Sam Mostyn to request the creation of the new awards, which will be similar to those that were established after the Bali bombings and the MH17 plane crash.
“This would recognise those individuals nominated and recommended for a bravery or a meritorious award in response to the Bondi terrorist attack,” he said in a press conference in Canberra. “At the worst of times … we see the best of the Australian character. “We saw it with those who lost their lives tackling the terrorists as they embarked from the car. We saw it with those in police and emergency services rushing to assist people.” “We saw it with the medical staff and professionals stopping having dinner and rushing to St Vincent’s Hospital or Prince Alfred Hospital or other places to provide assistance, and we saw it in the days after as well, with people making extraordinary personal sacrifices in order to help their fellow Australians,” Albanese said. The awards would be announced next year, he said. Many stories of bravery and sacrifice have surfaced since the mass shooting, which targeted a Jewish Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach on 14 December and left 15 people dead . Boris and Sofia Gurman were likely among the first killed. Dash cam footage appears to show the couple trying to disarm one of the suspected shooters before they were gunned down by alleged accomplice Naveed Akram. Ahmed Al-Ahmed, a tobacco shop owner, was wounded after he confronted and disarmed one of the alleged gunmen. He’s undergone multiple surgeries, and has been visited by a string of top officials in hospital, including Albanese, NSW Premier Chris Minns and Opposition leader Sussan Ley. Albanese also highlighted stories of two police officers he had met: one who had driven from Newcastle to Bondi to help, and another who had worked all night. “That’s the sort of recognition that I want to see publicly recognised. That’s not why people do it, but it’s important that we as a nation celebrate our heroes and celebrate good deeds,” he said. After the 2002 Bali bombings, a list of people received special recognition for their roles in the response, with dozens commended for acts of bravery. The government also announced the Jewish Community Foundation, which has been raising funds for those affected by the Bondi attack, had been declared a community charity. Finance Minister Katy Gallagher said: “This is part of our ongoing work to support community organisations that are helping the victims of the Bondi Beach terrorist attack and their families, and bringing the community together in such difficult times.” She said the government was working urgently to approve the foundation’s deductible gift-recipient status with the Australian Taxation Office. Albanese said he had a “very constructive discussion” with Israeli President Isaac Herzog on Tuesday night. He described it as an opportunity for Herzog to express his condolences to the victims and to the country. Albanese said he had written to the governor-general to request a formal invitation to be issued to Herzog to have him visit Australia early next year to “honour and remember victims of the Bondi antisemitic terrorist attack and provide support for Jewish Australians and the Australian Jewish community at this time”. Albanese said he had not spoken to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu since the attack. His Israeli counterpart has been critical of his leadership. Albanese declined to comment on Netanyahu’s criticisms, telling reporters: “I don’t think this is a time for any partisan politics.” “We’ve invited President Herzog, which is entirely appropriate for the head of state to visit.” download our app subscribe to our newsletter
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