Minns confirms 'contact' with police ahead of Bondi attack

Sunday, 28 December 2025 13:19

The premier also suggested members of a volunteer community group could be "armed" to improve security.

New South Wales Premier Chris Minns has confirmed that a Jewish community group had been "in contact" with police ahead of the devastating Bondi Beach terror attack, after it was revealed extra officers had been sought for the Hanukkah event that became a terrorist target.

Nine newspapers reported that the volunteer-led organisation, Community Security Group (CSG), deemed the event high risk and asked for multiple officers to be stationed there for its duration.

A source shared that instead, "junior officers roaming Bondi Beach on a broad patrol had been instructed to monitor the event intermittently".

Today, Minns said there had been contact between police and the group, while not disclosing the specifics.

"Clearly form media reports and my own inquiries, CSG was in contact with NSW police," he said.

And he said the police that were at the event were "clearly not enough".

Minns said there needed to be a "root and branch change" to the state's security protocols, even suggesting that CSG members could be "armed" by the state.

NSW Police declined a request for comment as the terror attack is "subject to a critical incident investigation; a criminal investigation; and a coronial inquest".

Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon has said that police base their response on the "threat that exists at the time".

Shortly after the December 14 attack, the NSW government was forced to defend the actions of the officers who responded and were on scene.

Premier Chris Minns on December 16 said, "The NSW Police acted with bravery and integrity. They didn't take a backward step".

Police increased their security at Cronulla Beach yesterday, after a social media post emerged in the wake of the attack calling for a "bashing day" 20 years on from the site of the race-fuelled riots.

Police, with help from the riot squad, mounted unit and water police, patrolled the beach.

But it was peaceful, and no "bashing" occurred.

Sutherland Shire Mayor Jack Boyd said police have been monitoring threats closely since the attack at Bondi.

"They're collaborating to ensure that we can respond if anything did happen. But if you look around, everybody's just enjoying a day at the beach," he said.

The man accused of creating that social media post, 20-year-old Ryder Roy Shaw, was charged and has been denied bail at Gosford Court this week.

He will remain behind bars until his next hearing.

Police alleged his post publicly threatened violence on the grounds of race or religion.

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