Experts call for vigilance on security after New Orleans terror attacks

Experts are calling for a review of Sydney’s counter-terrorism measures in the wake of a horror week of bloodshed in the US, singling out a few hot spots they say need urgent attention.

Sydney’s Olympic Park and eastern beaches should be reviewed for terrorism risks as Australian experts seek to plug any gaps in the nation’s security after a horror week of terror in the US.

Local counter-terrorism experts say Australia is better prepared than the US, with major events including Christmas and New Year’s celebrations protected with large semi-trailers, buses and metal bollards for several years.

But the former minister in charge of rolling out security measures in Sydney CBD at the peak of global car ramming attacks in 2017 says it’s time to reassess the safety provisions.

Thousands of people regular flock to Sydney Olympic Park. Picture: Damian Shaw

Waverley Council, which covers beaches including Bondi and Bronte, has already started a security audit in the aftermath of this week’s New Orleans terrorist attack in which terrorist Shamsud Din Jabbar drove around a barrier and mounted a footpath to mow down and kill 14 people and injure at least 30.

“The safety of our community comes first. This is why council has already commenced a security audit of its infrastructure and assets,” Mayor Will Nemesh told The Saturday Telegraph.

“Council has previously implemented hostile vehicle mitigation measures and will continue to work with both state and federal agencies to keep the community safe.”

Former Liberal Minister David Elliott was the minister in charge of rolling out bollards in Martin Place and Macquarie St following vehicle-ramming attacks in London, Nice and Melbourne.

He said Sydney Olympic Park and Sydney’s popular eastern beaches should also be considered for more security because they host major events attracting large crowds.

“We have stalled but those vital areas that needed bollards in the CBD — Macquarie Street and Martin Place — are well protected,” Mr Elliott said.

Thousands of beachgoers at Bronte Beach on Christmas Day: Picture: Flavio Brancaleone

“I do worry and I did express a great deal of concern about Sydney Olympic Park (when leaving office),” he said. “It’s very much a case of mitigation as much as possible.

“You can’t have bollards everywhere. We do mitigate for the Anzac Day march, key locations always have buses, but Australia being such an outdoor and open social environment the reality is that this is the weapon of choice in Western society.”

Ex-terrorism detective and Nemesis Consultancy director Peter Moroney agreed, saying security experts should think outside the box because terrorism appeared to be making a resurgence post-Covid.

He cautioned that more needed to be done to protect footpaths because a car could still mount a footpath and bypass buses and trucks to reach civilians.

David Elliott was the minister in charge of counter-terrorism under the former Coalition government. Picture: Richard Dobson

People jump out of the way as IS terrorist Shamsud-Din Jabbar ploughs his car into a crowd in New Orleans.

“It’s still a threat, there is no mistaking that … If it’s not at the front of everyone’s planning they have failed to do their job,” he said.

“We have become complacent. Covid kicked in and no one thought of terrorism, but those that deal with this have to stay vigilant.”

Australian National University terror expert Professor Clive Williams warned about the risk of copycat attacks.

“There is a risk of copycat attacks. It happens in a number of different ways when something is publicised,” he said.

“Thirty years ago there was a burning of a synagogue and it led to a whole spate of those. Car rammings are the same sort of thing

“America has become complacent. I was surprised at the poor security at New Orleans.”

Prof Williams said similar attacks in Sydney had been carried out by mentally ill perpetrators which could be “just as likely” in the future.

Security experts are calling for a review of Sydney’s counter-terrorism measures. Picture: Supplied

A spokesman for the Sydney Olympic Park Authority said: “We prioritise the protection of crowded places, with comprehensive safety and security measures across the precinct especially during peak event periods.”

Counter-terrorism minister Yasmin Catley said the former government had rolled out “a number of proactive and ongoing measures to address threats from hostile vehicles” in 2017 following the Bourke St Mall car attack.

In 2023, NSW Police launched a new program to provide threat advice.

“This includes providing Terrorism Situational Awareness Reports fortnightly and real time notification of terrorism or like terrorism incidents to inform business,” she said.

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