PM pledges to adopt all recommendations from interim Commission report
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has pledged to adopt all recommendations from the Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion, saying Australia’s Jewish community is still “grieving, still hurting, still craving answers” five months after the Bondi terror attack.
The commission’s interim report, released on Thursday, sets out 14 recommendations aimed at improving security, tightening gun laws and strengthening coordination between counter-terror agencies. Five recommendations remain confidential for security reasons.
The December attack at Bondi Beach, during a Chanukah festival, claimed 15 lives and prompted the federal government to establish the inquiry.
Security arrangements at the event will now be a central focus of further investigation. The report reveals that four NSW Police officers and an area commander attended, despite prior warnings that the risk of a terrorist attack was “likely”.
A security plan prepared by the Jewish Community Security Group had identified elevated risks due to the visibility of “identifiably Jewish” attendees and the prominence of the festival. Police had planned a high-visibility presence, but internal notes indicated there was “no need to stay the entire duration”.
NSW Police told the commission that resourcing decisions were based on factors including event size, type and the presence of dignitaries. The adequacy of those decisions will be examined in upcoming hearings.
The report recommends that enhanced security measures used during major Jewish holidays such as Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur be extended to other high-risk community events.
Anthony Albanese visits the scene where he laid flowers at the Bondi Pavilion at Bondi Beach (Photo: Dean Lewins/AAP)
Commission chair Virginia Bell said that while improvements were needed, no issue had been identified that required urgent or immediate action.
On firearms, the commission calls for nationally consistent laws and urges governments to prioritise the National Firearms Agreement and a national buyback scheme targeting surplus, newly banned and illegal weapons. It found that inconsistencies between jurisdictions allowed firearms to move too easily across borders.
One of the attackers legally owned six firearms, a detail the report says highlights the risks associated with licensed weapons.
The report also recommends a review of Australia’s joint counter-terrorism network, including leadership structures, integration between agencies, and information-sharing systems. It calls for greater authority for the Australia-New Zealand Counter-Terrorism Committee, including the ability to provide direct advice to National Cabinet at least annually.
Mr Albanese rejected suggestions the government had been slow to respond to rising antisemitism, describing it as a global trend since October 2023 and insisting Australia was taking action.
David Ossip said the findings reflected what Jewish Australians had been experiencing.
“Jewish Australians have increasingly been targeted not just with words, but with violence,” he said. “The commission’s recommendations are practical and constructive steps that can enhance the safety of our community.”
Sajid Akram was among those killed in the attack. His son, Naveed Akram, remains before the courts on terrorism and multiple murder charges.
Public hearings will begin in Sydney from May 4 to 15, focusing on the lived experiences of Jewish Australians. The commission’s final report is due before the end of the year.
with Duncan Murray/AAP
