ByLARA SUKSTER MOSHEYOF

New South Wales Premier Chris Minns didn't rule out the possibility of deploying the army to Jewish areas to protect the community, he implied in a press conference on Sunday, ABC News reported.

During the press conference, the NSW Premier warned the public that Sydney residents could expect to face increased security on the streets.

He added that police officers carrying long-armed guns are expected to be placed in the Australian capital before and after New Year's Eve.

"I want to send a clear message that NSW Police will be out in massive numbers," he said.

"We haven't normally seen long-armed firearms on the streets of Sydney, but NSW Police will have them, and that will be confronting for some people," he added.

The Sydney Opera House is illuminated with candlelights in Sydney on December 21, 2025, as part of a national day of reflection honouring the victims of the Bondi Beach terrorist attack.
The Sydney Opera House is illuminated with candlelights in Sydney on December 21, 2025, as part of a national day of reflection honouring the victims of the Bondi Beach terrorist attack. (credit: Photo by GEORGE CHAN / AFP via Getty Images)

Minns declared that "nothing was off the table" regarding the possibility of deploying army troops to protect the Jewish community.

The NSW Premier explained that discussions on the matter are underway, but that he couldn't make this approach the first option because it would represent a significant change to Sydney's routine.

"We're going to look very closely at security programs and measures in the future. We have to do things completely differently," he said.

He added, "The situation as it currently stands, it can't continue … there's a big challenge ahead of us to rebuild Jewish life in Sydney. So I'm not going to take anything off the table."

Bondi Beach honors its heroes

Australia has created a special honors list to recognize the bravery and heroism of those who responded to the Bondi Beach Massacre, the Australian Governor General Sam Mostyn announced last week.

The public was invited to nominate those they believe worthy of being honored for their actions in response to the Hanukkah party terrorist attack that claimed the lives of 15 and wounded 40.

Mostyn said on Facebook that the approval of the honors list came following the advice of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who announced that he had written to the Governor General about the matter the same day.

Awards will be announced in 2026.

Michael Starr contributed to this report.