Public assemblies have been banned for two weeks across Sydney after the NSW Police Commissioner activated powers prescribed after the terrorist attack at Bondi Beach.Â
Reforms to the state’s laws on gun ownership and public assemblies were passed by parliament after a marathon debate in the early hours of Christmas Eve in response to the mass shooting on December 14 that left 15 people dead.
Under the laws, the Commissioner has the power to temporarily designate public areas as “restricted” from assemblies following a declared terrorist incident, which was made on the day of the mass shooting.
The change to NSW protest laws were in response to the December, 14, terrorist attack at Bondi Beach. (ABC News: Che Chorley)
In a statement, Commissioner Mal Layon said any protest action at this time would “aggravate fear and divisiveness in the community”.
“The NSW Police is committed to exercising these new powers responsibly and transparently,” he said.
NSW gun and protest laws tighten after Bondi terror attack
“This is a time for community to come together and to show respect and courtesy. It’s not a time for large public assemblies and division.
“We will continue working closely with the government and community leaders to ensure these laws are implemented in a way that strengthens safety and cohesion across our state.”
Over the next fortnight, any gathering in the South West Metropolitan, North West Metropolitan and Central Metropolitan policing areas will be considered “unauthorised and participants will not have the protection of the Summary Offences Act”.
Any event approved prior to the declaration will now be “taken to be revoked”. Â
The declaration can be extended fortnightly for up to three months.
Bondi Beach ‘is our place’
At Bondi Surf Club, up to 300 people were expected to attend the annual community Christmas lunch, with queues already forming by late morning.
Started six years ago by long-term life saver Sebastian Cassie, serving the area’s rough sleepers as a way of acting on the message that “no-one should spend Christmas alone or hungry”, the event this year has an added significance.
“The community is hurting, I’m hurting,” Mr Cassie said.
Lifesaver Sebastian Cassie says the community is hurting. (ABC News)
He was among the first brave responders, who included police officers and a number of other lifesavers from local clubs.
There is footage of lifesavers running barefoot down Campbell Parade towards the scene after hearing the gunshots.
Mr Cassie said he had been fielding questions from the community, wondering if the event was still going ahead because they needed to come together.
“I actually met with some of the rabbis, and their message to me was the only way to conquer any darkness that tried to tarnish our home is to put on events like this, that shine a bright light that as a community that’s not who we are.
“That tragedy is not who we are, the hurt and the pain is not who we are, and we bounce back stronger and together.
“They’re just here to be together, to say ‘No, no matter what pain we go through, if as a community we stand together it’s still ours, it’s our place'”
Mona says the event is more important now than ever. (ABC News)
Mona has been volunteering since the initiative began. This year, she is in the kitchen and says for her it’s about giving back to other people, describing it as “the right thing to do” and even more so this time around.
“Even more than the other years, it’s important that we’re here lending our beautiful surf club to such an event,” she said.Subdued Christmas morning at Bondi Beach
This morning, Bondi Beach was subdued in what would traditionally have been a buzzing Christmas morning.
A beachgoer who has been going there for nearly 40 years acknowledged that the tragic events could be playing a part.
This beachgoer has been going to Bondi Beach on Christmas morning for nearly 40 years. (ABC News)
Possible showers forecast before lunch and temperatures in the mid-20s, which felt like 15 degrees Celsius, also contributed to keeping attendance low.
A local told the ABC that she could feel a greater sense of community.
“Because we walk here every day, twice a day, three times a day, people who you know casually just through walking all are supporting each other,” she said.
A family from England spending their first Christmas in Australia say they were expecting to see more people at Bondi Beach. (ABC News)
A family from London, spending their first Christmas in Australia, said they had been expecting bigger crowds, but “there was hardly anyone here”.
Two friends also at Bondi Beach for the first time blamed the “disappointing” weather.
“I was expecting some blue skies but, you know, I’m not going to let it ruin Christmas,” one woman said.
“I wouldn’t normally go the beach at home, so it still makes it feel different and special.”
Her friend added: “It’s still pretty iconic to be here on Christmas Day, I think it’s lovely.