Albanese government responds to Bondi royal commission interim report

The Albanese government says it prioritised support for victims and strengthened security for Jewish cultural events following the Bondi Beach terror attack in the first official response to the Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion.

Anthony Albanese earlier stated the government would accept all 14 recommendations of the interim report.

A final report by Commissioner Virginia Bell is due by the end of the year.

In an official reply, the Albanese government said it had provided support to victims and businesses after the attack, and introduced legislative reforms including around hate speech and the as-of-yet unestablished National Buy Back scheme.

“The government will continue to work with states and territories and affected communities to combat anti-Semitism, counter violent extremism, and strength social cohesion,” the government said.

The government said it had progressed initiatives following the attack aimed at combatting anti-Semitism and strengthening social cohesion, including establishing the first phase of the National Hate Crimes and Incidents database and the Antisemitism Education Taskforce, which will be led by David Gonski AC.

In total, the interim report made 14 recommendations.

Five of the recommendations are confidential and were not made public, while one urged state police to adopted procedures taken during Operation Jewish High Holy Days

to other “high risk Jewish festivals and events”. NSW Premier Chris Minns has also accepted the report’s recommendations.

In its response, the government said it would accept a recommendation that the Australia-New Zealand Counter-Terrorism Committee (ANZCTC) commission a review of the Joint Counter-Terrorism Teams, with a report to be submitted to Police Commissioners and the Director-General of Security within three months.

“Joint Counter-Terrorism Teams provide a critical operational capability, supporting integration of Commonwealth, state and territory agencies to jointly investigate and disrupt terrorist activity,” the government said.

“Given the evolving threat environment and emerging operational lessons from the Bondi terrorist attack, a review of arrangements for Joint Counter-Terrorism Teams will ensure that operational and information sharing procedures remain fit for purpose.

“Subject to state and territory agreement, the Government proposes that the ANZCTC immediately commission an independent review, with findings to be provided to relevant lead agencies within three months of commencement.”

The government also accepted that the ANZCTC at least annually brief National Cabinet and that if the body is to be used again that it be included in the Crisis Management Framework, noting it had agreed to to formalise arrangements to establish a limited attendance National Coordination Mechanism, rather than an ANZCTC meeting, “which can be convened rapidly at a classified level”.

“These arrangements will manage sensitive information through restricted participation and appropriate security clearance requirements,” the government said.

“The government will work with states and territories to test these arrangements by convening an exercise, in consultation with the ANZCTC.”

The government will also consider whether National Security Committee ministers, including Mr Albanese, should take part in a counter-terrorism exercise within nine months of each federal election, and that that consideration be given to making the Commonwealth Counter-Terrorism Coordinator role permanent.

A review of the Counter-Terrorism handbook is also due before the end of 2026, in line with the recommendations.