Australia’s secret services under scrutiny after attack

Terror attack in Sydney

Australia’s secret services under scrutiny after attack

Australia’s Prime Minister Albanese admitted failures in the fight against anti-Semitism after the deadly attack on a Jewish festival. Now he is having the work of his authorities checked.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is reviewing the work of the secret services and law enforcement agencies in response to the terrorist attack on a Jewish festival in Sydney a week ago. It should be examined whether they have appropriate powers, structures and procedures to protect the population, he explained. The attack, inspired by the terrorist organization Islamic State (IS), highlights “the rapidly changing security situation” in Australia.

“Our security authorities must be as prepared as possible for such events,” said the head of government. The review will be completed and published in April. Albanese had been accused by representatives of the Jewish community and the opposition of not having done enough to protect Jews in the wake of increasing anti-Semitism in the country. Albanese had admitted failures in the fight against anti-Semitism. There are now calls for a commission of inquiry.

Albanese’s government announced stricter laws against hate preachers and incitement. In addition, the strict gun laws are to be further tightened and hundreds of thousands of firearms are to be confiscated as part of a national buyback program. Albanese will attend a crime scene memorial ceremony on Sydney’s famous Bondi Beach this evening (local time).

Last Sunday, two assassins – a father and his son – shot at a crowd on the beach during the Jewish festival of lights, Hanukkah. 15 people died and dozens were injured. The father was shot by the police and the son was taken to the hospital with life-threatening gunshot wounds, where he is being guarded. The investigative authorities assume that he and his father had connections to the Islamic State terrorist militia or were at least ideologically influenced by it.