Albanese booed at vigil for Bondi Beach attack victims

Australian PM receives cold reception as thousands gather in Sydney one week after 15 people were shot dead in rampage

- MARYAM ZAKIR-HUSSAIN

Australia's prime minister was booed at a ceremony mourning the victims of the Bondi Beach shooting in Sydney yesterday.

Two gunmen, a father and son, killed 15 people when they opened fire on a Hanukkah celebration on the first day of the eight-day Jewish holiday on 13 December.

The federal and New South Wales state governments declared yesterday a national Day of Reflection, with thousands of mourners gathered under tight police security at Sydney’s famous Bondi Beach.

Anthony Albanese was among the dignitaries at the commemoration that drew more than 10,000 people. The crowd booed Mr Albanese when his presence was acknowledged. Opposition leader Sussan Ley, who had said that a conservative government led by her would reverse a decision made by Mr Albanese’s centre-left Labour Party government this year to recognise a Palestinian state, was cheered.

Mr Albanese has ordered a review of the country’s law enforcement and intelligence agencies following the devastating attack. He said the review will examine whether federal law enforcement and intelligence agencies had the correct powers, structures, processes and sharing arrangements in place to keep Australians safe.