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NSW Premier Chris Minns said the state government was supporting “all action to clamp down on those inciting hate”, and praised the actions of the council and Canterbury-Bankstown Mayor Bilal El-Hayek in closing the facility.
“We are ready to make significant changes to prevent hate preachers or anyone else inciting violence in our communities,” he added.
Minns said the government would use planning law or hate speech reforms to send a message to those “putting hate in people’s heart” that they will be met with the full force of the law.
“[El-Hayek] obviously decided this can’t go on, it’s not being used for the purposes in which the permit had been released – you can expect more of this, not less of it, in the weeks to come.”
In response to the council shut down, Al Madina Group, the centre’s new organisational committee, distanced themselves from Haddad. It said he holds “no management role, has no operational authority and is not involved in the administration or decision-making of the current organisation”.
Naveed Akram has been charged with almost 60 offences, including 15 murders.
Despite that, the centre last week shared on its social media pages a statement from Haddad, in which he sought to distance himself from the Bondi attack and to deny any involvement.
Haddad said in the statement that there was “no verified photos” of him and Akram together, but he did not address whether he knew the alleged shooter. He added it was “misleading” to call Akram one of his followers and denied any prior knowledge of the attack.
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Al Madina Group on Tuesday said it believed the centre had all the requisite council approvals, considering “the former organisation … had operated at the same location for nearly four years without issue”.
“This raises legitimate questions regarding the basis, timing and motivation behind Bankstown Council’s sudden order to cease operations,” it said.
“Al Madina Group rejects any attempt to conflate administrative or planning matters with allegations of extremism, national security or criminal conduct.”
It is not the first time the council has issued Haddad a “cease use” order for one of his premises.
In 2023, Haddad was issued a warning about a centre in Georges Hall which was only approved to operate as a gym. After further inquiries and surveillance by the council, a second notice was issued and complied with.
Non-compliance with the council’s notice could result in a penalty infringement notice of $3000 for an individual or $6000 for a corporation.
Naveed and Sajid Akram allegedly training in Australia for the Bondi terror attack.
As the police investigation continues into the shooting, counter-terror police are exploring why the car used by Naveed and his father Sajid Akram recorded more than 200,000 kilometres in just one year.
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The silver Hyundai Elantra was recorded as having 140,900 kilometres on the odometer in August 2024, official vehicle records from the NSW government show. But in August 2025, that number had jumped to 350,968 kilometres.
Police are investigating whether it reveals anything about the pair’s trips to remote NSW to practice using their weapons, as alleged in police fact sheets.
It may also be an error entered into the government database which tracks car records.
The police fact sheet said the car, registered in Naveed’s name, was driven to Bondi Beach for the alleged attack on a group of Jewish people celebrating Hanukkah, and had both Islamic State flags and improvised explosives placed inside.
Naveed, 24, survived the attack and faces 15 murder charges. His father, 50, was shot dead by police.
Bondi Beach incident helplines:Bondi Beach Victim Services on 1800 411 822Bondi Beach Public Information & Enquiry Centre on 1800 227 228NSW Mental Health Line on 1800 011 511 or Lifeline on 13 11 14Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800 or chat online at kidshelpline.com.au
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