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Westfield has strengthened security in its centres across Australia and New Zealand days after the mass stabbing spree at one of its locations in Sydney.
Joel Cauchi, 40, killed six and injured a dozen more inside the Bondi Junction shopping centre on Saturday afternoon before he was shot dead by a police officer.
Bondi Junction Westfield has been shut since Saturday as police worked the active crime scene but it has now been handed back, Scentre Group chief executive Elliot Rusanow said.
READ MORE: Police close crime scene at Bondi shopping centre
He said Westfield has increased its security across all 42 locations as it undertakes a review into security measures and responses at Bondi Junction on Saturday.
"Security has been increased throughout the entire portfolio in Australia and New Zealand," he said outside the centre today.
Rusanow confirmed the centre is set to reopen later this week.
"We are devastated along with the entire community and nation (at) the loss of life, the serious injuries sustained," he said at a press conference today.
"As you can imagine, the process of reopening is one that is a challenging one … it was the centre of very tragic circumstances and we have to respect the loss of life, the victims, the victims' families."
One of the victims, Faraz Tahir, 30, was working his first shift as a security guard at the centre when he died protecting a member of the public.
Another security guard was also injured and rushed to hospital.
Rusanow said the company is facilitating Tahir's family overseas to come to Australia.
"We as an organisation will acknowledge and remember our colleague who lost his life protecting others," he said.
READ MORE: Hero shopper helped police officer track and confront rampaging stabber
The NSW government has green-lit $18 million to fund an independent coronial inquest into the stabbing but ruled out allowing security guards to carry stun guns or other firearms.
"We don't believe that more firearms in the community is a good decision, but we're looking at the current restrictions that are in place for equipment, for security guards, and the resulting training that would be required if there was to be a policy change," Premier Chris Minns said.
"We are ensuring they have what they need. I'm not announcing an immediate policy change but we're reviewing the restrictions in place. Except in relation to firearms."
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