'Horrific act of violence', PM says

The attack on Saturday has been described as "a horrific act of violence" by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.

Speaking from Canberra, Albanese stated:

"For all of us tonight, the devastating scenes at Bondi Junction are beyond words or understanding. Australians will be shocked this evening. This was a horrific act of violence, indiscriminately targeted at innocent people going about an ordinary Saturday, doing their shopping. Tonight, the first thoughts of all Australians are with the victims of these terrible acts and their loved ones. Our nation offers our deepest condolences and sympathies to all those who are grieving for someone they have lost. And we send our strength to those who have been injured. And all of us are thinking of the dedicated doctors, nurses and healthcare workers who will be working through the night to save lives and to care for their fellow Australians.”

Today, Bondi Junction was the scene of shocking violence. But it was also witness to the humanity and the heroism of our fellow Australians, our brave police, our first responders, and of course, everyday people who could never have imagined that they would face such a moment. And some of the footage is quite extraordinary. Staff for whom this should have been a normal shift, shoppers peacefully going about their lives, and yet for these Australians, their first instinct in the face of danger, was to help someone else. That is what we hold onto tonight as Australians. That's confirmation of who we are. Brave, strong, together. The work of the NSW Police and the Australian Federal Police is ongoing. But what we can say for sure tonight is this, to any Australian affected by this tragedy, every Australian is with you.

Meanwhile, Australian Federal Police Commissioner Reece Kershaw said Tonight, AFP is supporting NSW Police investigate a mass casualty event in Sydney. The AFP has deployed AFP members to the crime scene and we've offered our full specialist capability, such as digital forensics.

“The AFP has deployed AFP members to the crime scene and we've offered our full specialist capability, such as digital forensics. It is too early to determine a motive and it would be unhelpful to speculate. I want to reassure the community that the AFP is providing NSW Police with whatever support is required. And tonight, I've also spoken with the NSW Police Commissioner and the Director-General ASIO. And finally, I would like to give my condolences to the victims and families out there.”

When questioned about whether this attack had any terrorist motivation

“Having spoken with the NSW Police Commissioner at this stage, it's too early to give that assessment. However, all the agencies, the right agencies, are working together to make that assessment.” Commissioner Kershaw.

However, The PM said , “I think the AFP Commissioner has made it clear that speculation, certainly not from myself, would be unhelpful at this time. We should allow the investigators to go about their work, the police, I've also had a discussion tonight with the Director-General of ASIO. The motive at this stage is unknown. And we will, of course, continue to update the Australian public as more information is known.”

Commissioner Kershaw stated that considering how many people have been injured, the incident is extremely serious.

"It's very serious, given the amount of people that have been harmed. And, you know, it's something that we take seriously. We do, sadly, exercise for these kinds of events. And what I would say, the police and the emergency services on the ground there are doing an incredible job and also working with victims and trauma. Quite some incredible work from all the services.”

Mr. Anthony Albanese, has extended his sympathies to the victims.

“Look, it certainly is my view that we should allow this investigation to take place. It would appear that this person has acted alone. The motives are not known yet, and speculation on that would not be helpful at this time. But we have been clear and transparent, and I know that the NSW Police, as well as now the AFP, have made information available as a priority because we understand that the Australian public will be very shocked by this event. Our heart goes out to them.

And I think also, in conclusion, can I say, I spoke before about the bravery that has been exhibited here, the bravery of the police officer who, she entered the proceedings that were taking place, obviously very dangerous, by herself. She is certainly a hero. There is no doubt that she saved lives through her action. And it is a reminder that those people who wear uniform are people who rush to danger, not away from it. And I give thanks to every, every one of them for the actions that they've taken up to now, and the actions that they will take over the coming days, which will be a difficult period as well.”

The prime minister commended the police officer's bravery for shooting the attacker, stating that she went into the "obviously extremely dangerous, proceedings on her own."

She is certainly a hero. There is no doubt that she saved lives through her action. And it is a reminder that those people who wear uniform are people who rush to danger, not away from it. And I give thanks to every, every one of them, for the actions that they’ve taken up to now and the actions that they will take over the coming days, which will be a difficult period as well. Thank you.

Albanese commended the first responders, medical professionals, and courageous individuals involved in today's event.

“Completely extraordinary behaviour, and these people need to be identified and thanked. They are heroes. And the first thoughts of all Australians at this time will be with those who've been directly impacted and their loved ones. There’s five victims have been confirmed as losing their life today and many others injured. And at this time as well, it's time to give thanks to those who'll be caring for them in hospital. And we just wish a recovery for, there's been too much loss of life already, and we just hope that those people who've been injured come through.”

On the other hand, The police commissioner, Karen Webb, has asked about the welfare of the officer who shot and confronted the attacker while also praising his "enormous courage."

“She’s doing well, under the circumstances. She showed enormous courage and bravery,” said Webb. “So, we just talked about that she’s OK, her family is OK, she’s got everything she needs for the time being. She will be formally interviewed tomorrow, no doubt.”

While the community and the police may feel "very sad about what happened here... they should have no concerns, ongoing concerns," according to NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb. We think that this individual acted alone, and the community is not in danger at this time.

Following a stabbing spree at a Bondi Junction shopping centre on Saturday afternoon, eight people were hospitalised and seven people were pronounced dead.At approximately 3:40 p.m. on Saturday, emergency services were summoned to Westfield Bondi Junction.According to reports, one man had been shot and several people had been stabbed, a NSW Police spokesperson told AAP.Although the bus interchange was closed, trains were still operating to Bondi Junction train station, according to Transport for NSW.

Acting Premier Penny Sharpe expressed her surprise at the reports of numerous deaths.

“My thoughts and those of the NSW government are with the victims, their families and first responders at this time, as well as those who may have witnessed these horrific events,” Sharpe said.

Meanwhile, The premier of New South Wales, Chris Minns, will return to Sydney right away after the Bondi Junction incident. On Saturday, Minns had left Sydney and was replaced by an acting premier.

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Australia’s prime minister, Anthony Albanese, has extended his sympathies to the victims. He wrote on Twitter/X:

Anthony Cooke, assistant commissioner of police, is updating the press during a press conference.

Cooke confirms that a local police officer shot and killed the attacker.

“She confronted the offender who had moved by this stage to level five as she continued to walk quickly behind him to catch up with him. He turned faced her raised a knife. She discharged a firearm and that person is now deceased.”

He added: “I’m advised that there are five victims who are now deceased as a result of the actions of this offender.”

Cooke said: “From preliminary inquiries, it would appear that this person has acted alone I am content that there is no continuing threat.”

He stated that, at this moment, police do not have "further information" on several questions.

"Our hearts go out to all of [the victims], as they do to anyone touched by this terrible incident," he said.

"This is quite raw, enquiries are very new and we are continuing to make attempts to identify the offender."

The opposition leader of Australia, Peter Dutton, has expressed his condolences to the victims. On X and Twitter, he wrote:

Australians will be in shock this evening at the tragic and terrifying events which have taken place at Westfield Bondi Junction.

We grieve for the five people who have been killed. We pray for those who have been rushed to hospital with injuries. We are thinking of all those families whose loved ones have been caught up in this attack. In the horror of this afternoon, there was also heroism.

We thank the police officers and first responders who acted so quickly, put themselves in harm’s way, and saved others. In particular, the bravery of one female officer who neutralised the assailant. We thank the brave shop keepers and staff who helped shoppers shelter amidst the chaos. We thank everyday Australians who helped each other get to safety and those who provided comfort to others in distress.

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