The hero lone cop who shot the Bondi Junction stabber before he could take any more victims has emerged in public for the first time to remember those who died.

Inspector Amy Scott put on a brave face as she joined the community at a candlelight vigil at Bondi Beach as night fell on Sunday.

Thousands gathered in the fading light to remember the six people who were killed in the terrifying rampage at the Westfield shopping centre on April 13.

Scott has been hailed as a hero by the prime minister for ending 40-year-old Joel Cauchi’s rampage when she chased down and shot him on level five of the complex as shoppers fled.

She has not been seen in public since that horrifying day. On Sunday she was joined by her police colleagues and was seen hugging mourners.

Meanwhile the youngest victim from the attack, a nine-month-old baby, was released from hospital and returned home to family more than a week after being wounded.

The baby is continuing to receive care from clinicians after being discharged from Sydney Children’s Hospital, NSW Health Minister Ryan Park said on Sunday.

Inspector Amy Scott was seen in public for the first time since the attack. Photo: Getty

In a sea of candles, Waverley Mayor Paula Masselos said hearts were heavy with grief and souls were burdened by sorrow after the unfathomable incident.

“We are all in mourning … But let me say this — our spirit must not and will not be diminished,” Masselos said.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the vigil was a chance to grieve, and for those left behind to begin coming to terms with the hole left in their lives where their loved ones should be.

“We keep this vigil for them – to honour all they were, to pay respect to all they meant,” he said.

A local brass band played as mourners filed in, while a choir sang Amazing Grace after a minute’s silence.

Candles are lit for the victims of the Bondi Junction stabbing. Photo: Getty

Up to $18 million in additional funding has been allocated for a coronial inquiry, with mental health funding and support to be examined.

The Bondi Junction shopping centre re-opened for trade on Friday following a day of community reflection on Thursday.

A temporary floral tribute remains in place at nearby Oxford St Mall.

A formal memorial service will be held at a later date, with plans for a permanent memorial to honour the victims.

A first-time mother defending her baby, the daughter of a millionaire advertising guru and an on-duty security guard were among the six people killed in the attack.

Five of the six killed were women – Ashlee Good, 38, Dawn Singleton, 25, Jade Young, 47,  Pikria Darchia, 55, and Yixuan Cheng, 27.

Faraz Tahir, a 30-year-old refugee who fled persecution in Pakistan, was also killed.

At least 12 others – including nine women – were taken to hospital after suffering stab wounds in the attack. Five remained in hospital on Sunday.

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton said there was a gender-based violence crisis in Australia following the Bondi stabbing, backing calls for a royal commission examining the issue.

“I would be happy to support anything at all that sees the incidence reduced, that sees women and children growing up in a safer environment,” he told ABC’s Insiders program.

“There are a number of factors, and I don’t think there is any one solution here, but again, I think social media has a role to play here.

“The computer games young boys are playing where violence is a very significant part of what’s being enforced into their minds on a regular basis.”

Agriculture Minister Murray Watt said tougher penalties for knife offences might be considered by states and territories. But he hosed down calls for security guards to be armed.

“We need to be careful not to overreact to these things, and we don’t want to see our shopping centres become sort of armed places where people feel on edge,” he told Sky News on Sunday.

“But you can’t have events like the last week occur and not rethink what might be needed.”

A temporary floral tribute remains at Oxford Street Mall in Bondi Junction.

A formal memorial service will be held at a later date and there are plans for a permanent memorial to honour the victims.

A major coronial inquiry will focus on NSW’s mental health funding and support adequacy.

Bolstered by up to $18 million in extra funding, the inquiry will examine the police response and Cauchi’s interactions with NSW and Queensland agencies.

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-with AAP