French hero gains Australian residency for confronting killer in deadly Sydney shopping mall attack

SYDNEY — French construction worker Damien Guerot was made an Australian permanent resident on Thursday as a reward for his heroism during a knife attack in a Sydney shopping mall that left six victims dead and a dozen wounded. Guerot was nicknamed “Bollard Man” on social media after security camera footage showed the 31-year-old standing at the top of an escalator at the Westfield Bondi Junction mall on Saturday and warding off knife-wielding Joel Cauchi with a plastic barrier post. “Very great pride and recognition.” Albanese told Guerot through a news conference on Monday: “You are welcome to stay for as long as you like.” Guerot is someone Australia would welcome as a citizen, Albanese said, “although that would be a loss for France.” His lawyer, Belinda Robertson, said her client had been told the prime minister did not have the power to grant citizenship. Westfield Bondi Junction was opened to the public on Thursday for the first time since the mass stabbing, but shops remained closed for what is described as a “community reflection day.” Businesses in one of Australia’s largest shopping malls will reopen Friday with higher security.