Key events
Poll shows Australians looking for reassurance, not point-scoring
A leading pollster says Australians are looking for reassurance from political leaders after the Bondi Beach attack and not partisan point-scoring, Australian Associated Press is reporting.
Hopes of a bipartisan response to the alleged killing of 15 people by two gunmen at a Jewish festival in Sydney have evaporated with the federal opposition taking aim at the government for failing to stamp out antisemitism.
Having also been roundly criticised by the Jewish community, the prime minister, Anthony Albanese’s net performance rating dropped 15 points to negative nine in the wake of the massacre, according to a Resolve poll published in Nine newspapers.
His net likeability fell 14 points to negative five.
Opposition Leader Sussan Ley’s performance rating dropped seven points to negative four, while her likeability dropped from eight to one, following her politically charged statements against Labor and Albanese.
“Australians don’t want a partisan political debate on this, they want a response that’s unified, that reassures them they’re going to be safe,” said pollster Kos Samaras.
Australia experiences deadliest year on roads in more than a decade
Annual road safety data from the National Road Safety Hub shows 1332 people have died on Australian roads in the 12 months to November, a three per cent increase on last year, Australian Associated Press has reported.
The figure exceeds the 1300 people killed on the roads for all of 2024 and is the worst since 2010 when 1353 deaths were recorded.
Australia’s road toll peak remains 1970 with 3798 fatalities, prompting a national rethink on road safety and the introduction of mandatory seat belts and child restraints.
NSW had the most deaths to the end of November with 361, an increase of 10.7 per cent, while fatalities also increased in Queensland, Western Australia and Tasmania.
Victoria, South Australia, the Northern Territory and the ACT all managed to cut the number of deaths.
Liberal senator pays tribute to former colleague’s ‘joy of life’
Fedearal Liberal Senator James McGrath has also paid tribute to former Liberal MP Katie Allen, who has died aged 59.
He tells ABC Radio National that “to know Katie was to love Katie and to love life.”
She was one of those people who just brought in a spirit of deep thought and a spirit of just the joy of life.
But to underestimate Katie, you did so at your own risk. She had a very strong – she had an iron fist hidden by a velvet glove, and Australia is poorer with her loss, and parliament was poorer when, sadly, she lost her seat in 2022 and didn’t win earlier this year.
She’ll be missed, and we all loved her.
Burke is also asked to respond to Coalition criticism following the news the prime minister has written to the remuneration tribunal to review changes to wind back travel entitlements for the families of parliamentarians.
The Coalition has said changes to rules do not remove the need for a full investigation into whether Labor ministers who claimed of thousands of dollars in taxpayer-funded travel entitlements breached the ministerial code.
Burke says:
I do not want a world where politicians make their own decision about what budgets they’re given and what so-called entitlements they have. These decisions must be made independently, and that’s the exact process that’s been followed.
Burke is followed by Liberal senator James McGrath. Challenged on Coalition travel spending, McGrath reiterates calls for an independent inquiry.
I think there is a difference between, say, Annika Wells going to a birthday party in Adelaide on taxpayer dime, compared to any issues that may be raised against Coalition members. But what we have consistently said from the beginning: let’s sit down, do this in a bipartisan manner. Let’s make sure that the taxpayers can see that their money is being spent with respect. We haven’t seen that from the government.
Burke defends decision not to launch federal royal commission on Bondi attack
Burke has also discussed the government’s plans to accelerate the rollout of the National Firearms Register, which the Albanese government committed to establishing in 2023. He says drafting instructions for some gun laws have been issued to states and territories today.
Burke is also played a clip from the former home affairs department secretary Mike Pezzullo, who has called for a federal royal commission into the Bondi attack, saying it could be done at speed.
Burke, defending the prime minister’s decision to appoint former Asio boss Dennis Richardson to lead a review of the intelligence agencies instead, says:
I’m not sure if there’s been a royal commission in history that has gone at the pace that he’s (Pezzullo) just described. The experience that we’ve had with every royal commission is they take years, they always ask for extensions of time, and the best way to act with absolute urgency is not to have something chaired by a retired judge – is to have something chaired by a national security expert. Now, Dennis Richardson has the complete respect across the national security community in Australia.
Tony Burke says government ‘moving as quickly as we can’ on hate crimes
The home affairs minister, Tony Burke, is speaking to ABC Radio National about the National Hate Crimes and Incidents Database, which has been launched today after the Bondi shooting.
The national database will collate information on charges for offences under hate crimes legislation across all Australian jurisdictions.
Asked if this information is not already shared, Burke says:
Not in this sort of way. So this came as a recommendation out of National Cabinet. And some states and jurisdictions had a formal process of making information available. But to be able to go to one place and to be able to start to see what’s happening across the country, that’s something that is only possible because of this new work that’s been done.
Asked if the government should have been quicker to implemented the database, which state and territory leaders committed to in January, Burke says:
Everything that we are doing in this area, I wish it had been in place 20 years ago. Everything. And so we are moving as quickly as we can. With anything where there’s an IT build, there are some movable parts where there are limits on how fast you can go.
Sabra Lane signs off as host of AM after eight years
The ABC journalist Sabra Lane has signed off as the host of flagship radio current affairs program AM after more than eight years in the role.
In her final broadcast as host a few moments ago on ABC Radio National, Lane said it was “time to turn off the early morning alarm”.
“Today’s program is my last hosting AM. I’m taking a long break over summer and I’ll be back next year in a different role.”
Lane took over as the host of AM in January 2017 and leaves a year shy of the program’s 60th anniversary.
Former federal MP Katie Allen dies aged 59
Former federal Liberal MP Katie Allen has died aged 59, her family has announced.
Allen served as the member for the former seat of Higgins in Victoria from 2019 to 2022.
Allen, who worked as a paediatric allergist and gastroenterologist at the Royal Melbourne hospital before her career in politics, revealed she had a rare form of cancer known as cholangiocarcinoma earlier this year.
In a statement posted to Allen’s Facebook account yesterday, her family announced the passing of “our beloved Katie (Mum)“
She spent her life caring for others as a mother, doctor, professor, MP and friend. She is deeply loved.
She passed in peace surrounded by family and lived a full, beautiful life, all the way to the end.
We love you so much.
Israel’s president to make state visit to Australia in the new year
The Israeli president, Issac Herzog, will visit Australia early in the new year as a formal state visit.
In a post on X last night, the office of the Australian prime minister said Anthony Albanese had called Herzog earlier that day and “expressed his profound shock and dismay over the terror attack against the Australian Jewish community in Sydney last week, and conveyed his deep sorrow to the families of the victims”.
Prime Minister Albanese advised President Herzog that, upon the recommendation of the Australian government, the Governor-General of Australia will issue an invitation in accordance with protocol to President Herzog to visit Australia as soon as possible. President Herzog said that he would accept the invitation and mentioned that the President of the Zionist Federation of Australia also sent him an official invitation expressing their wish for him to visit, and he intends to do so.
The Zionist Federation of Australia (ZFA) welcomed the news, which its president, Jeremy Leibler, said was an important moment of solidarity and healing:
In the days after Bondi, our community reached out directly to President Herzog because this was not only an attack on individuals – it struck at the deepest sense of safety Jewish Australians have carried for generations.
We are grateful that the Australian government has now taken up that call and, in accordance with protocol, will extend the formal invitation for a state visit. That matters – because it shows, at the highest national level, that Australia stands with its Jewish citizens, and Australia stands with Israel, against terrorism and hatred.
President Herzog’s presence will bring comfort to those who are grieving and reassurance to a community living with fear. It will also honour the victims and the courage shown on the day – including Gefen Bitton, who remains critically ill – and reaffirm the shared resolve of two democracies to confront antisemitism, hate and violence with clarity and strength.
Krishani Dhanji
Sussan Ley says this Christmas a time of ‘deep sorrow and reflection’
Christmas comes at a moment of “deep sorrow and reflection”, says the opposition leader, Sussan Ley, as the Jewish and Australian community mourns the death of those killed in the Bondi terror attack.
In her Christmas message to the nation, the opposition leader says it is moments like this that “test us”.
“They ask who we are as a people and what we choose to stand for. Hatred and extremism have no place in Australia. Antisemitism has no place in Australia. Our strength as a nation lies in our decency, our courage and our willingness to stand together, especially when it is hard.”
Ley says it has already been a difficult time for many families struggling with the cost of living.
She also thanks all those who will be working through the holiday period – nurses, doctors, paramedics, police, firefighters, defence personnel, aged care and disability workers.
The cost of living has placed real strain on families and, for some, this Christmas will feel heavier than it should. If you are doing it tough, please know that you are not alone. Your community matters, and you deserve leadership that listens and acts.
This Christmas, we remember those we have lost. We stand with those who are hurting. And we hold fast to the values that bind us together as Australians.
Penry Buckley
Good morning
Good morning everyone, I’m Penry Buckley and I will be here with you for our live coverage this morning.
Albanese says Australia grieves Bondi terror attack victims in Christmas message
Anthony Albanese says Christmas “will feel different this year” after the Bondi terror shooting, paying tribute to victims and heroes of the antisemitic attack in a holiday message to Australians.
The prime minister said:
After the terror inflicted on Jewish Australians celebrating Chanukah at Bondi Beach, we feel the weight of sorrow in our hearts. As Christmas brings its message of love and compassion, we grieve those whose lives were stolen – and those whose lives were changed forever.
Together, we give thanks for the extraordinary courage that shone so brightly through the darkness. A powerful reminder that, in the worst of times, we see the very best of the Australian character. It is in that spirit that Christmas brings Australians together to celebrate all that we have and all that we share.
Albanese said also paid tribute to “everyone who gives up their Christmas for the sake of others”.
We give thanks to our emergency personnel, our medical workers, our hospitality and charity workers – and so many more. Likewise the volunteers who spend the season of giving devoting their time and energy to serving those in need, exemplifying the Australian spirit of kindness, generosity and compassion.
We also thank our Defence Force personnel, who forgo the comforts of home and family to defend our nation. To each and every Australian, I wish you a Christmas of peace, safety and love. A Christmas where we stand together, united. A Christmas of healing and one of hope.
Twelve victims of Bondi terror attack still in hospital
Twelve victims of the Bondi mass shooting remained in hospitals in Sydney as of 8pm last night.
Seven are in a stable condition, across the Prince of Wales, St George, Royal Prince Alfred and Royal North Shore hospitals. Five are in a critical but stable condition, in St George and St Vincent’s hospitals.
That’s a worsening in the condition of one patient, from the 8am update yesterday when there were only four people listed as being in a critical but stable condition and eight in a stable condition.
Database launched to log everyone charged with hate crimes
Sarah Basford Canales
A national database of individuals charged with offences under hate crimes legislation across all Australian jurisdictions has been launched today after the Bondi shooting.
The National Hate Crimes and Incidents Database will register the hate crime offences across the country that target race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, intersex status, disability, nationality, ethnic origin, or political opinion.
The initiative was first agreed upon at a national cabinet in January 2025 and will be available on the Australian Institute of Criminology’s website. The federal government said it was an important step toward strengthening its ability to monitor, analyse and respond to hate crimes.
Marking its launch on Christmas Eve, the home affairs minister, Tony Burke, said:
The appalling attack on the Jewish community at Bondi Beach must never be allowed to happen again.
Every Australian has the right to be safe and feel safe, no matter your heritage, what you believe or who you love.
I urge every Australian: if you witness or experience a hate crime, report it. Accurate reporting is essential to ensure these crimes are investigated and captured in the database, to enable evidence-based action.
NSW parliament passes new gun and protest laws
The New South Wales Minns Labor government has passed controversial changes to gun laws and new powers for police to ban street protests for up to three months, after a marathon debate in the upper house.
The laws, which were drafted in response to the 14 December massacre at Sydney’s Bondi beach in which two gunmen fired on a Hanukah event, killing 15 people, were voted through at 2.51am on Wednesday.
The omnibus bill passed with 18 votes in favour and eight against. The Liberals joined the Labor government members in voting for the bill, while the Nationals and Shooters voted against. The Greens members abstained.
Read our full story here:
Welcome
Good morning and welcome to our live news blog. I’m Martin Farrer with the top overnight stories and then it will be Penry Buckley with the main action.
After a marathon debate, the upper house of the New South Wales parliament voted at 2.51am to pass the controversial omnibus bill bringing in tougher laws to limit gun ownership and to restrict the right to protest after terror attacks. The reforms, drafted in response to the Bondi terror attacks, passed by 18 votes to eight. More coming up.
A national database of individuals charged with offences under hate crimes legislation across all Australian jurisdictions has been launched today after the Bondi shooting.
