The New South Wales government has announced a major security operation for New Year's Eve in Sydney, with more than 2,500 police deployed across the metropolitan area. Officers will carry long-arm weapons, a move described by Premier Chris Minns as a deliberate message that safety is the top priority.
Speaking ahead of the celebrations, Minns urged residents to show defiance by attending the festivities. “We need to show defiance in the face of this evil and the best way of doing that is to spend some time with your friends and your family on New Year’s Eve on Sydney Harbour,” he said.
Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon confirmed he had sought authorisation for the use of long-arm firearms by general duties officers, who will be supported by specialist units including the public order and riot squad, mounted and dog command, and PolAir. Minns stressed that the high-visibility policing was not in response to a specific threat but aimed at ensuring public safety.
The police minister, Yasmin Catley, said officers had volunteered for extra shifts following Operation Shelter, a recent high-profile policing initiative in Sydney’s eastern suburbs that involved 400 police. However, Commissioner Lanyon acknowledged a shortfall of 2,000 officers, noting that recruitment and retention remain key challenges.
Minns also confirmed that talks are under way with Commonwealth officials about possible deployments of defence personnel and Australian Federal Police in Sydney, similar to arrangements during the 2019 bushfires. He condemned a reported attack on a young Muslim woman wearing a headscarf, calling it “disgusting” to blame her for the actions of two people in Bondi Junction weeks ago.
