Flags outside the ACT Legislative Assembly were flown at half-mast on Monday as a mark of respect for the victims of the terrorist attack at Bondi Beach in Sydney.

The gesture followed an emergency meeting of National Cabinet convened by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, at which the ACT Government endorsed a renewed national focus on countering terrorism, violent extremism and hate-based violence.

In a statement, Chief Minister Andrew Barr said National Cabinet had pledged to eradicate “anti-Semitism, hate, violence and terrorism,” with an emphasis on national coordination, social cohesion, sharing intelligence, and community safety.

The meeting also noted ongoing efforts to combat anti-Semitism, including the establishment of a National Hate Crimes and Incidents Database; increased security for Jewish community and cultural sites; and enhanced cooperation between intelligence and policing agencies.

The ACT Government confirmed it would progress reforms to firearms regulation, including reviewing registry systems, exploring new digital technologies, and assessing changes to ACT legislation. Proposed reforms include addressing privately manufactured and 3D-printed firearms, permit-to-acquire processes and licence suitability criteria. National Cabinet also agreed that Australian citizenship should become an additional condition for firearms licences.

Mr Barr said he had commissioned Attorney-General Tara Cheyne MLA and Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Services Dr Marisa Paterson MLA to advance the work.

“Yesterday’s horrific anti-Semitic terrorist attack has no place in Australia, and the evil scourge of anti-Semitism must be eradicated,” the Chief Minister said. “Our condolences and our thoughts are with those who have been impacted directly by this terrorist attack.”

Ms Cheyne said the past 24 hours had been “hard to fathom,” describing the attack as the deliberate targeting of the Jewish community during a time of light and celebration.

She said the beginning of Chanukah had been “scarred with indelible horror”, and condemned the attack as a desecration of human life and an assault on liberty and freedom of expression.

“Grief is not a debate,” Ms Cheyne said, stressing that heightened emotions must not undermine the right of every person to feel safe.

The Attorney-General said vilification based on race or religious belief was unlawful, and reiterated that there was no place in Australia for antisemitism, Islamophobia, or prejudice of any kind.

Dr Paterson said the attack on Sydney’s Jewish community was an attack on the Australian community as a whole, and condemned antisemitism, violence and terrorism “in the strongest possible terms”.

Dr Paterson and Multicultural Affairs minister Michael Pettersson MLA attended the National Jewish Memorial Centre in Forrest to express condolences.

“At times like this, borders do not matter,” she said. “Australians stand together in grief and compassion, against these acts of horror and violence.”

The National Jewish Memorial Centre in Forrest was temporarily evacuated on Sunday afternoon as a precautionary safety measure.

Police presence at Jewish community centres and places of worship would increase, as well as at events throughout summer.

The ACT Government has established an online condolence book to allow members of the community to express support for victims and for Jewish communities in Canberra and across Australia.

Assembly Speaker Jeremy Hanson MLA (Canberra Liberals) said his “deepest sympathy and condolences” were with all those killed or injured, and with familie who had lost loved ones.

“To our Jewish friends I express my utmost regret and sadness for all that you have suffered,” Mr Hanson said, adding that Australians must eradicate antisemitism from the community.

Political leaders across the Assembly also expressed solidarity with the Jewish community.

Canberra Liberals leader Mark Parton said the incident would cause “enormous distress and genuine fear”, particularly within Australia’s Jewish community.

“It is so completely wrong for anybody to be targeted simply for who they are or for celebrating their faith,” Mr Parton said.

ACT Greens leader Shane Rattenbury described the attack as “a dark day for our community”, calling it “an act of terror and antisemitism”.

“This kind of hatred directed at people who are part of the fabric of our community is intolerable and disgusting,” Mr Rattenbury said. “My heart is with the Jewish community in Sydney, and with Jewish Canberrans grieving today.”

Independent MLA Thomas Emerson described the attack as “a deeply evil act that should be unthinkable in Australia”, and thanked first responders and bystanders who intervened to protect others.

Independent ACT Senator David Pocock also expressed solidarity with Australia’s Jewish community, describing the attack as “truly despicable violence against families celebrating their faith.”

He encouraged people to reach out to family, friends and local Jewish communities, and urged Australians not to amplify misinformation or hateful content online by sharing unverified posts or speculation that could inflame division.

ACT Policing also issued a statement expressing condolences to the families of those killed and injured, including emergency service workers.

The Canberra Muslim Community also “strongly condemned” the attack, describing it as a “violent and inhumane act [that] wounded the conscience of every freedom-loving person and is in no way justifiable.”

“We extend our heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims, pray for eternal peace for those who lost their lives, and wish a speedy and full recovery to all those who were injured,” they said in a public statement.

The community also praised the actions of a 43-year-old Muslim man ‘Ahmad El Ahmad’, a fruit seller and father of two, who disarmed one of the attackers.

“This heroic act stands as a powerful symbol of humanity, responsibility, and social solidarity,” the statement said, adding that it demonstrated Islam’s commitment to the protection and preservation of human life.

The Canberra Muslim Community reaffirmed its commitment to peace, respect, and coexistence, and called on all Muslims in Australia to uphold multicultural values and policies, abide by the rule of law, and contribute to harmony, mutual understanding, and social cohesion.

“Together, we must stand united against violence and extremism in all its forms and work collectively to build a safe, inclusive and compassionate Australia for everyone.”