STORY: Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Tuesday (December 16) visited Ahmed al Ahmed, the man who charged at one of the gunmen and seized his rifle, at a Sydney hospital.

Albanese told Ahmed, “Your courage is inspiring.” Speaking to reporters, Albanese said, “Ahmed Al Ahmed represents the best of our country. We will not allow this country to be divided.”

The attack by two gunmen on Sunday (December 14) was Australia's worst mass shooting in nearly 30 years, and is being investigated as an act of terrorism targeting the Jewish community.

The death toll stands at 16 including one of the alleged gunmen, aged 50, who was shot by police. The man's 24-year-old son and alleged accomplice was in critical condition in hospital, police said on Monday (December 15).

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

VIDEO SHOWS: AUSTRALIAN PRIME MINISTER, ANTHONY ALBANESE, MEETING WITH MAN WHO DISARMED BONDI GUNMAN, AHMED AL AHMED / SOUNDBITE FROM ALBANESE

RESENDING WITH COMPLETE SCRIPT

SHOWS: SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA (DECEMBER 16, 2025) (PMO - Access All)

1. (ORIGINALLY SHOT IN PORTRAIT) AUSTRALIAN PRIME MINISTER, ANTHONY ALBANESE, MEETING WITH MAN WHO DISARMED BONDI GUNMAN, AHMED AL AHMED

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA (DECEMBER 16, 2025) (AUSTRALIAN BROADCASTING CORPORATION – Broadcast: No use Australia Digital: No use Australia / .com.au internet sites / any internet site of any Australia based media organisations or mobile platforms / Australian NVO clients / smh.com.au / news.com.au)

2. (SOUNDBITE) (English) AUSTRALIAN PRIME MINISTER ANTHONY ALBANESE, SAYING:

"It was a great honour to meet Ahmed Al Ahmed. He is a true Australian hero. He's very humble. He went through his thought processes as he saw the atrocities unfold. He had gone to Bondi with friends and relatives. He was trying to get a cup of coffee, simple as that, and found himself at a moment where people were being shot in front of him. He decided to take action, and his bravery is an inspiration for all Australians. He is a very humble man. Tomorrow he will undergo further surgery. His mother and father are here visiting him from Syria, and I was able to meet them as well. They're very proud parents. He, at a moment where we have seen evil perpetrated, he shines out as an example of the strength of humanity. We are a brave country. Ahmed Al Ahmed represents the best of our country. We will not allow this country to be divided. That is what the terrorists seek. We will unite, we will embrace each other and we'll get through this. Thank you very much."

3. ALBANESE WALKING INTO HOSPITAL