Albanese announces wide-ranging review into intelligence handling of Bondi attack

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has released the full terms of reference for an independent review into the Bondi Beach terror attack.

He confirmed it will examine whether federal intelligence and law enforcement agencies could have done more to prevent the killings. The review, announced on 21 December 2025, will be led by businessman Dennis Richardson and is due to be completed by the end of April 2026.

 

Richardson has been asked to assess the actions of Australia’s federal intelligence and law enforcement agencies in the context of the attack, with a primary focus on the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation and the Australian Federal Police.

Under the terms of reference, the review will examine whether those agencies operated as effectively as possible, whether they had adequate powers, appropriate systems, processes and procedures, and whether the authorising environment for information sharing with Commonwealth, state and territory agencies was sufficient.

Richardson will also consider how the alleged offenders were assessed by agencies over time, to inform any changes needed in the way intelligence and law enforcement bodies interact across jurisdictions.

The review will examine what relevant Commonwealth agencies knew about the alleged offenders before the attack and when that information was known, how information was shared between federal agencies and with state and territory authorities, what judgements were made and actions taken, and whether additional steps could have been taken to prevent the attack.

It will also assess whether agencies were prevented from acting by current legislation or authorising arrangements, and what further measures may be required to prevent similar attacks in the future. This includes examining whether existing legislative powers are adequate, whether warrant and data access regimes are fit for purpose, and whether legislative amendments are required.

Richardson will engage with NSW agencies and, where necessary, agencies in other states and territories.

The review will build on the findings of the 2024 Independent Intelligence Review and the 2019 Comprehensive Review of the Legal Framework of the National Intelligence Community.

A secretariat will be established within the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet to support the review. Richardson will have full access to all material he considers relevant, with departments and agencies required to cooperate fully by providing documents, data and meetings as requested.

Albanese has again ruled out a royal commission, saying the independent review would deliver answers more quickly while still having access to classified material. Families of victims and survivors, and others, have continued to call for a royal commission, arguing the scale of the attack warrants a broader public enquiry. Opposition figures have echoed those concerns.

The Bondi attack occurred on 14 December during a Chanukah gathering and has been treated by authorities as a terrorist act motivated by hatred towards Jewish Australians. The review is expected to play a central role in determining whether warning signs were missed and whether Australia’s counter-terror systems are fit for purpose.