The disclosure follows ABC's documentation of extensive connections between 24-year-old Naveed Akram and Australia's pro-Islamic State network, including associations with extremist cleric Wisam Haddad and imprisoned youth recruiter Youssef Uweinat, according to ABC.

Legal counsel for Haddad stated he "vehemently denies any knowledge of or involvement in the shootings that took place at Bondi Beach," ABC reported. Authorities are examining the Akrams' links to international jihadist networks after establishing their early November arrival in Manila, case-briefed officials disclosed to ABC.

The duo subsequently journeyed to the southern Philippines for terrorist training, a senior counter-terrorism official confirmed anonymously to ABC. Late November marked their return to Australia – mere weeks before Sunday's beachfront slaughter, officials told ABC.

Since the early 1990s, the Philippines has functioned as a terrorist hub, hosting training facilities relocated from the Pakistan-Afghanistan border to southern Mindanao, ABC reported. Security sources have withheld specific location and movement details regarding the pair's time in the southern Philippines, according to ABC.

ASIO, the nation's intelligence service, investigated Naveed Akram in 2019 over his Sydney-based IS terrorist cell associations, ABC revealed Monday.

Ahmed, you are an Australian hero.

You put yourself at risk to save others, running towards danger on Bondi Beach and disarming a terrorist.

In the worst of times, we see the best of Australians. And that's exactly what we saw on Sunday night.

On behalf of every Australian, I… pic.twitter.com/mAoObU3TZD

— Anthony Albanese (@AlboMP) December 16, 2025

The then-18-year-old displayed "indications of intent" and concerning connections prompting ASIO's 2019 investigation, though additional scrutiny was deemed unwarranted then, a senior security source told ABC. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese informed the 7.30 program Monday evening that ASIO's six-month probe uncovered "no evidence" of radicalization in either father or son, ABC reported.

Neither man appeared on terrorism watchlists before the assault, and licensed gun owner Sajid Akram encountered no legal barriers to firearm possession, according to ABC.

Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke, questioned on Radio National today about whether the Philippines travel alerted national security agencies, provided no direct answer, ABC reported. Burke observed that following ASIO's 2019 inquiry, "there was a radical change in the risk profile of that individual," according to ABC.

Two Islamic State flags discovered in the Akrams' Bondi Beach vehicle led investigators to conclude the pair had pledged allegiance to the terrorist group, ABC disclosed Monday.

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Three registered diplomatic personnel residing within Israeli territory face immediate expulsion, with their authorized status terminating without delay. "We're talking about days, not weeks," a senior Israeli official emphasized regarding the departure timeline, accounting only for essential logistical arrangements. The Australian ambassador received official notification of this decision, while Israel's Canberra embassy received instructions to scrutinize every official Australian entry request.

Australia's Home Affairs Department had cancelled MK Simcha Rothman's visa mere hours before his scheduled departure, undermining his planned solidarity mission with Australia's Jewish community confronting unprecedented antisemitic violence. Rothman intended visiting the Adass Israel synagogue in Melbourne following its destruction in a targeted antisemitic arson attack.

I decided to revoke the visas of Australian representatives to the Palestinian Authority. The Australian Ambassador to Israel was just notified on the matter.

I also instructed the Israeli Embassy in Canberra to carefully examine any official Australian visa application for…

— Gideon Sa'ar | גדעון סער (@gidonsaar) August 18, 2025

Australian Interior Minister Tony Burke defended the visa cancellation, arguing Rothman's presence would create "serious implications for peace and law enforcement in Australia" - effectively acknowledging that Islamist demonstrators demanding Israel's destruction would resort to violence upon encountering an Israeli official. Rothman condemned the decision as "clear and blatant antisemitism giving tailwind to terror."

This diplomatic crisis erupted weeks after revelations that Australia approved entry for Hamas supporter Mona Zahed, who celebrated the October 7 massacre while publishing inflammatory content glorifying the terrorist attack against Israeli civilians.

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Australia has rejected a visa application from US conservative commentator Candace Owens for her planned November speaking tour, with Immigration Minister Tony Burke expressing concerns about her potential to "incite discord" in the country, according to the Guardian. The decision, announced on Sunday, comes after scrutiny of Owens' past controversial statements, including comments about the Holocaust and various minority groups.

"From downplaying the impact of the Holocaust with comments about [notorious Nazi doctor Josef] Mengele through to claims that Muslims started slavery, Candace Owens has the capacity to incite discord in almost every direction," Burke said in a statement. "Australia's national interest is best served when Candace Owens is somewhere else."

BREAKING: The Australian government just denied Hitler fan and Holocaust denier Candace Owens a visa

LMAOOOOOOOOOO Owned pic.twitter.com/0O3HQdSf8d

— Drew Pavlou (@DrewPavlou) October 27, 2024

 The US media personality had scheduled a five-city speaking tour across Australia, with events planned in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, and Adelaide. Ticket prices ranged from $95 for general admission to $295 for VIP meet-and-greet sessions, with exclusive private dinner options priced at $1,500.

The speaking tour's website had promoted the events as appealing to "audiences seeking alternative viewpoints and in-depth discussions on pressing political and social topics," noting that "Owens' provocative approach often sparks debate, making the event a must-see for those who enjoy candid conversations about controversial issues."

The US Anti-Defamation League has previously criticized Owens for promoting antisemitic rhetoric, while LGBTQ+ advocacy group GLAAD has highlighted her statements regarding transgender issues. During a July broadcast, Owens questioned documented Nazi medical experiments on prisoners, describing such accounts as "completely absurd" and "bizarre propaganda."

Opposition home affairs spokesman James Paterson supported the visa denial, having previously described Owens as "a dangerous antisemite and a conspiracy theorist" during an interview with Sky News.

Zionist Federation of Australia Chief Executive Alon Cassuto welcomed the government's decision. "Bigotry and antisemitism are unacceptable in any form, regardless of whether they originate from the far left or right," Cassuto said. "For the sake of our nation's social cohesion, there is no place in Australia for Candace Owens."

The tour promoter, Rocksman, and Owens' management team did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Owens has not addressed the visa rejection on her social media platforms.

During Australia's COVID-19 pandemic restrictions, Owens had suggested that the US military should invade Australia to "free its people suffering under a totalitarian regime," while drawing comparisons to Hitler, Stalin, and the Taliban.

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