Australia Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced the hero nicknamed "bollard man" would be welcomed as an Australian citizen after his act of bravery.
French national Damien Guerot was inside the Westfield Bondi Junction during the knife attack by 40-year-old Joel Cauchi, where six people were killed and dozens injured.
Footage from the incident shows Guerot seemingly blocking off the escalator while holding a bollard in the shopping centre as Cauchi was trying to climb up.
It was reported his act could have potentially saved many lives of others. It is also understood the area Guerot blocked off was where dozens of children were playing, according to News.com.au.
On social media, Guerot was hailed as a hero, and given the title "bollard man".
In the aftermath of the incident, Guerot expressed his love for Australia and how he would love to call the country home.
Speaking at a press conference today, Albanese thanked him for his "extraordinary bravery", and said he should become a citizen.
"I say this to Damien Guerot, who is dealing with his visa application, that you are welcome here," Albanese said, according to News.com.au.
"You are welcome to stay for as long as you like, this is someone who we would welcome becoming an Australian citizen."
Albanese added Guerot's actions show the "best of human character".
“It says a lot about the nature of humanity at a time when we are facing difficult issues, that someone who is not a citizen of this country stood bravely at the top of those escalators and stopped, this perpetrator from getting onto another floor and potentially inflicting further carnage on citizens,” he said.
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