Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on the scene with police at Bondi following the terrorist attack in December 2025. Photo: PMO.
Government ministers with responsibilities for national security, including the Prime Minister, as well as state and territory leaders should take part in counter-terrorism exercises following each federal election, according to Royal Commissioner Virginia Bell.
The Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion has delivered its interim report to Governor-General Sam Mostyn, with the Federal Government immediately committing to adopt all 14 of its recommendations.
They include completing a national approach to gun control and firearms buyback; making the Commonwealth Counter-Terrorism Coordinator a full-time role; and adopting similar measures to those recently put in place by the NSW Police for tightened security around Jewish holy days.
It is also looking at making further recommendations for increased protection for Jewish leaders and places of worship.
The royal commission was instigated in the wake of the Bondi Beach terrorist attack that took place during Hanukkah celebrations on 14 December.
But Commissioner Bell highlighted other factors in her report that needed to be considered.
“The sharp rise in antisemitic incidents in Australia over the past two and a half years corresponds with events in the Middle East following the terrorist attacks on Israel carried out by Hamas on 7 October 2023,” she wrote.
“The outbreak of hostilities between the United States and Israel and Iran in February 2026 is likely to have increased the risk of attacks directed at the Australian Jewish community.
“The commission is investigating the improvement of protective security arrangements for Jewish places of worship, major sites, educational and cultural facilities, public events and community leaders.
“The currency of the commission should not prevent the taking of appropriate action to address any perceived shortcoming in security arrangements for any Jewish establishment, event or leader.”
Of the 14 recommendations in the interim report, however, five remain confidential so as not to compromise national security.
The cmmission has also decided not to call the surviving alleged shooter, or some witnesses to the event, to give evidence so as not to compromise legal proceedings.
Anthony Albanese said he agreed with all of the recommendations.
“The government welcomes the interim report, accepts all recommendations that relate to the Commonwealth and is committed to working with the states and territories to adopt a national approach to implementation of all 14 recommendations,” the Prime Minister said.
“While Commissioner Bell found Australia’s existing legal and regulatory frameworks did not hinder agencies’ ability to prevent or respond to the Bondi attack and that no urgent or immediate action is required, the recommendations go to enhancing our national counter-terrorism arrangements and capabilities.
“The interim report contains a small number of classified recommendations which cannot be publicly released because they could compromise sensitive national security information.
“The government will respond swiftly to these recommendations and Australians will see practical outcomes through a range of policy, program and funding measures.”
The recommendations contained in the interim report are that:
- The procedures adopted by NSW Police in respect of Operation Jewish High Holy Days should apply to other high risk Jewish festivals and events, particularly those that have a public facing element
- Having regard to the significance of the role of the Commonwealth Counter-Terrorism Coordinator in providing counter-terrorism leadership, the Commission recommends consideration be given to making the Counter-Terrorism Coordinator’s role full-time
- If the Australia-New Zealand Counter-Terrorism Committee (ANZCTC) is to be used again as a crisis committee, it should be included in the Australian Government Crisis Management Framework so its role is clear
- The Counter-Terrorism Handbook should be updated promptly and then at least every three years in coordination with updates to the Counter-Terrorism Plan and the ANZCTC triennial review
- The ANZCTC should provide direct advice in the form of a written and/or oral briefing, at least annually, to National Cabinet
- The ANZCTC should 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 of commencement
- The Australian Government should consider whether National Security Committee ministers, including the Prime Minister, should participate in a counter-terrorism exercise, along with all National Cabinet members, within nine months of each federal election
- Recommendation 8 to 12 – confidential
- The Commonwealth and states and territories should prioritise efforts to finalise and implement an updated and nationally consistent National Firearms Agreement and
- The Commonwealth, states and territories should prioritise efforts to implement the proposed National Gun Buyback Scheme.
More than 3500 submissions have already been made to the royal commission. It will conduct hearings over the next five months but some will be closed to the public.
Commissioner Bell must deliver her final report before the first anniversary of the Bondi attack.
Original Article published by Chris Johnson on Region Canberra.
