NSW police restrict public assemblies after Bondi terror attack

The NSW Police Commissioner has moved to temporarily restrict authorised public assemblies across large parts of Sydney under new emergency legislation passed by the NSW Parliament following the Bondi terror attack earlier this month.

The legislation is part of the Terrorism and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025, which was introduced by the NSW Government and passed on 24 December 2025. In addition to the assembly restrictions, the bill introduces tighter gun laws, including limits on the number of firearms an individual can own and enhanced registration requirements, in direct response to the attack.

On Wednesday, Commissioner Lanyon made a Public Assembly Restriction Declaration using powers contained in legislation passed earlier the same day. The new laws allow the police commissioner to temporarily declare public areas restricted from assemblies following a declared terrorist incident.

The declaration follows the Commissioner’s determination that the attack at Bondi Beach on Sunday, 14 December, was a terror-related incident. Authorities have confirmed the attack was antisemitic in nature and is being investigated as terrorism with links to ISIL (Islamic State).

Under the declaration, public assemblies are restricted for 14 days across the South West Metropolitan, North West Metropolitan and Central Metropolitan policing areas. Police will not approve or process applications for protests or rallies, and any assembly held during this period will be treated as unauthorised. Existing approvals granted before the declaration are automatically revoked, meaning participants no longer have legal protections relating to obstruction of traffic and pedestrians and may commit offences if they proceed.

The legislation allows the Commissioner to impose restrictions for up to 14 days at a time. Declarations must be reviewed every fortnight and can be extended for a maximum total period of three months.

The laws also expand police powers during a declared restriction period. While informal gatherings remain permitted, police may issue move-on directions where people are obstructing public places, behaving in an intimidatory or harassing manner, or acting in a way likely to cause fear. Police are also authorised to require the removal of face coverings where a person is suspected of committing an offence, for identification purposes.

As part of the broader federal and state response, a national hate-crime database has been launched to track and address incidents of vilification and threats, particularly those targeting religious or ethnic communities.

The declaration was made following consultation with the Police Executive Panel and consideration of public safety risks associated with further protest activity in the wake of the Bondi attack, which occurred during a Chanukah gathering and resulted in 15 deaths.

Commissioner Lanyon said the declaration was intended to support community safety during a period of heightened concern.

“The tragic events at Bondi Beach have left a profound impact on our community and reaffirmed the urgent need for stronger safeguards to reduce fear and increase safety,” he said.

“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. The community deserves to be safe and feel safe.”

He said further protest activity in the immediate aftermath of the attack risked aggravating fear and division within the community.

The measures have sparked political debate, with federal and state politicians from Labor and the Coalition clashing over the reforms. Some have raised concerns about potential overreach on free speech and assembly rights, and legal challenges to the protest bans are being discussed.

Additionally, Victoria is planning similar police powers for managing protests after terror events, indicating a potential broader rollout across states.

Police said they would continue working with the NSW Government and community leaders to ensure the new laws are applied responsibly and reviewed regularly.