Government Backs All 14 Bondi Attack Royal Commission Recommendations

The Albanese government has agreed to implement all 14 recommendations in the Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion’s interim report into the Bondi Beach terrorist attack that killed 15 people in December last year.

The report, released on April 30, found Australia’s existing legal and regulatory frameworks did not prevent agencies from responding to the attack and said no urgent legislative changes were required.

However, it said prevention, detection, and responses to antisemitism should be strengthened.

Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke and Attorney-General Michelle Rowland said the government would improve crisis coordination, information sharing, and operational readiness, while continuing to strengthen security support for Jewish schools, synagogues, and community centres and events.

Strategy for High-Risk Events

One recommendation, relating to police procedures for high-risk Jewish events, was identified as primarily a matter for state and territory governments.

Commissioner Virginia Bell found NSW police had not conducted a formal risk assessment before the Chanukah by the Sea event, despite warnings from private security providers of a potential terror threat.

The government said it would continue working with states and territories through the Australia-New Zealand Counter-Terrorism Committee to share operational lessons from the attack.

It has also committed to progressing an updated National Firearms Agreement and a proposed national gun buyback scheme.

In January, the federal government passed legislation allowing states and territories to access Commonwealth intelligence and background checks for firearms licensing decisions, and set up the cross-government Firearms Taskforce within the Department of Home Affairs.

While several state and territory governments have begun work on reforms, Queensland has rejected the proposal and the Northern Territory has asked called for the Commonwealth to fully fund it.

All federal ministers, including the prime minister, will also participate in a counter-terrorism exercise alongside National Cabinet members within nine months of each federal election.

The government has also agreed to make the Commonwealth Counter-Terrorism Coordinator a full-time position and will commission a review of state Joint Counter-Terrorism Teams.

It has also provided confidential responses to five classified recommendations contained in the report.

The commission said no government agency had identified any failure or gap in law enforcement, border control, or immigration frameworks following the attack.

However, it said evidence gathered during the inquiry identified areas where counter-terrorism capability could be improved at both Commonwealth and state level.

Further hearings examining anti-semitism in Australia and the lead-up to the attack are continuing.