Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced plans for a national bravery award to honor civilians and first responders who faced "the worst of evil" during an antisemitic terror attack that resulted in 15 deaths and has cast a dark shadow over the country's holiday season.
Mr Albanese stated that he aims to create a special honours system to recognize those who put themselves in harm's way to assist during the attack on a Hanukkah celebration by the beach, including Ahmed al Ahmed, a Syrian-Australian Muslim who disarmed one of the attackers before being injured himself, reports Breaking News.
Sajid Akram, who was killed by police during the December 14 attack, and his 24-year-old son Naveed Akram are accused of carrying out Australia's worst massacre since 1996.
Speaking at a press conference after a Christmas lunch at a charitable foundation in Sydney, Mr Albanese remarked that this Christmas stood in sharp contrast between extremist violence and "the best of humanity."
"This Christmas is a different one because of the anti-terror and the terrorist attack motivated by Isis and antisemitism," Mr Albanese said. "But at the same time as we have seen the worst of humanity, we have seen the bravery and kindness and compassion... from those who rushed to danger," reports Breaking News.
The proposed honours would recognize individuals who are nominated for bravery or meritorious awards under Australia's current honours system for their actions during and after the attack.
Following the passing of the country's toughest firearm laws, New South Wales state leader Chris Minns made a heartfelt plea for national unity, urging Australians to support their Jewish communities during what he called a fortnight of "heartbreak and pain."
"Everybody in Australia needs to wrap their arms around them and lift them up," Mr Minns said at the press conference on Thursday. "I want them to know that Australians have got their back. We're in their corner and we're going to help them get through this," reports Breaking News.
The new gun laws, which were approved in the New South Wales state legislature on Christmas Eve, include limiting individual gun ownership to four and reclassifying high-risk weapons like pump-action firearms.
The legislation also tightens licensing rules, shortening permit terms to two years, restricting ownership to Australian citizens, and eliminating the review process for license denials.
"Gun reform alone will not solve hatred or extremism, but we can't fail to act on restricting access to weapons," Mr Minns said earlier when presenting the new laws.
Other laws will ban the public display of terrorist symbols and grant police broader authority to limit public gatherings in certain areas following terrorist incidents.
Mr Albanese has also indicated plans to further tighten Australia's already stringent gun laws, reports Breaking News.
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