Australian Royal Commission probes security lapses in Bondi Beach terror attack

A second round of public hearings of the royal commission into the Bondi Beach mass shooting begins on Monday. The inquiry will examine what Australian security and intelligence agencies knew before the December 14 attack that killed 15 people, including the rise of anti‑Semitism and the security arrangements for the “Chanukah by the Sea” event.

The first witness will be ASIO director‑general Mike Burgess, followed by senior officers from the Australian Federal Police and NSW Police, and representatives of the Jewish security group CSG NSW. The commission will also consider the ongoing prosecution of surviving shooter Naveed Akram.

The interim report released in April warned that police were alerted to heightened anti‑Semitism and recommended tighter security at Jewish community gatherings, nationally consistent firearm laws, a gun‑buyback scheme, a full‑time Commonwealth counter‑terrorism coordinator and clearer Australia‑New Zealand counter‑terrorism committee arrangements. Five recommendations were redacted for national‑security reasons. Some proceedings will be closed to protect national security and the criminal case.

Commissioner Virginia Bell noted that testimony from Jewish Australians has advanced the inquiry, and the second hearing block will focus on counter‑terrorism resourcing and the effectiveness of current powers, systems and processes.