PM Announces Sweeping Review of Intelligence Agencies After Bondi Terror Attack, But Critics Slam it as ‘Wholly Inadequate’
- Prime Minister Anthony Albanese orders review of federal intelligence and law enforcement agencies in wake of Bondi terror attack
- Former top bureaucrat Dennis Richardson to lead the review, which will examine powers and processes of agencies
- Critics, including NSW Premier Chris Minns and former Liberal treasurer Josh Frydenberg, call for a broader royal commission into antisemitism and other issues related to the attack
In a dramatic move, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced a review of Australia’s federal intelligence and law enforcement agencies in the wake of the devastating Bondi terror attack. The review, to be led by former top bureaucrat Dennis Richardson, will examine the powers and processes of agencies such as ASIO and the AFP. But critics have slammed the review as ‘wholly inadequate’, calling for a broader royal commission into antisemitism and other issues related to the attack.
The review comes as the nation prepares to mark one week since the attack, which targeted Jewish Australians attending a Hanukkah event at Bondi Beach and killed 15 people. Mr Albanese said the review would be completed in April and published, but critics argue it does not go far enough. “Your departmental review will not go to the heart of the issues and the radicalisation within our country, which has been allowed to explode on your watch,” said former Liberal treasurer Josh Frydenberg.
NSW Premier Chris Minns has also supported calls for a royal commission, saying it is necessary to examine the broader policy response to antisemitism and other issues related to the attack. The Coalition has consistently called for a royal commission, with Shadow Minister David Littleproud saying it should “look at the failings of decisions made at a political level [and] at intelligence levels”.
ASIO director-general Mike Burgess welcomed the review, saying his agency would “fully cooperate”. But he also defended his agency against some public criticism, saying claims of intelligence failure or mistakes were “unfounded”. “If ASIO is found to have made mistakes, we will own them and we will learn from them,” he said.
The review will examine the “powers, structures, processes and sharing arrangements in place to keep Australians safe”, and will report back in April. But with critics already slamming it as inadequate, it remains to be seen whether it will be enough to address the concerns of the Australian public.
The nation will come together on Sunday to mark one week since the attack, with a national Day of Reflection and a service at the site of the attack. Mr Albanese will attend the service, alongside NSW Premier Chris Minns and Opposition Leader Sussan Ley.