• Millions observe a minute of silence and light candles for the 15 victims of the Bondi Beach shooting.
• Prime Minister Albanese announced a review of national security agencies in response to the attack.
• The attack, deemed inspired by Islamic State ideology, has spurred discussions on rising antisemitism in Australia.

Australia observed a national day of reflection as millions paid tribute to the victims of the Bondi Beach shooting, which occurred a week prior during a Jewish festival, killing 15 individuals. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese emphasized the need for a thorough review of the nation's police and intelligence services, aimed at improving their capacity to keep Australians safe in the wake of this attack, one of the deadliest in Australian history, reportedly inspired by Islamic State ideology, according to Channel News Asia and Al Jazeera.

On December 21 at precisely 6:47 PM, the time the shooting began, Australians nationwide participated in a minute of silence, with flags at half-mast. This moment, described by Albanese as "sixty seconds carved out from the noise of daily life", was a call for unity against hatred, according to Channel News Asia and Reuters.

The Bondi Beach attack, which involved a father and son duo, ignited discussions surrounding antisemitism in Australia, particularly in light of recent antisemitic incidents since the conflict in Gaza intensified. Prime Minister Albanese faced public discontent during the memorial; he was booed by attendees expressing concerns over the rise in antisemitic attacks and potential governmental oversight failures, as reported by BBC and South China Morning Post.

Prime Minister Albanese confirmed that the upcoming review would look into the effectiveness of current structures and whether agencies had the necessary powers to prevent such violence. This review follows revelations that one of the attackers had previously been flagged by the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation but was not monitored closely enough, according to India Times and Channel News Asia.

In addition to the security review, Albanese announced a nationwide gun buyback initiative to reinforce Australia's already stringent gun laws, addressing gaps that allowed the gunmen to freely obtain firearms. This plan is part of a broader package of measures intended to enhance public safety and mitigate hate speech, with a focus on improving protections for the Jewish community in light of the attack, as detailed by Al Jazeera and BBC.

During the memorial, communities gathered to remember the victims, with many lighting candles in their homes as a symbol of solidarity. Among the honored was little Matilda, a ten-year-old girl who lost her life in the attack, with tributes highlighting the bravery of individuals who confronted the attackers during the chaotic events. Authorities believe the gunmen had been radicalized prior to the shooting, casting a shadow over public safety and community trust, according to Reuters and South China Morning Post.