NSW Police to Carry Long-Arm Rifles at Final Ashes Test Amid Heightened Security Measures Following Bondi Attack
NSW police will be equipped with long-arm rifles as part of the security detail for the final Ashes Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG), which starts on Sunday. This deployment involves public order and riot squad officers and is intended to reassure the public rather than respond to any specific active threat. The match is expected to draw around 48,000 spectators.
Security arrangements at the SCG will mirror those implemented at the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne and New Year's Eve events in Sydney, featuring high-visibility uniformed and mounted patrols. Approximately 2,500 police officers were deployed across Sydney during New Year’s Eve, resulting in a largely incident-free period.
This increased vigilance follows the tragic Bondi beach terror attack on 14 December, which resulted in 15 deaths and led to heightened security measures across New South Wales (NSW). In Victoria, a similar approach was taken during the Boxing Day Test at the MCG with officers carrying semi-automatic rifles and the involvement of 120 additional personnel.
NSW Premier Chris Minns has indicated he is considering requests for Australian Defence Force troops to guard Jewish sites and may expand firearms access to the Community Security Group for public events in the future.
In response to the attack, Israel offered to provide training to Australian police. A letter relating to this offer, sent by Amichai Chikli to Tony Burke, was mentioned; however, Burke’s office declined to release the original letter. The government acknowledged they were taking action on hate-related issues but chose not to comment further on the Israeli offer.
Overall, the NSW police presence at the final Ashes Test will include uniformed and mounted officers to ensure public safety amid elevated security concerns following recent events in Sydney.
