Australia’s federal intelligence and law enforcement agencies will undergo a broad review following the deadly antisemitic terrorist attack at Bondi Beach, with the Prime Minister ordering an examination of whether national security bodies are properly equipped to keep Australians safe.
After meeting the National Security Committee in Canberra, the Prime Minister said the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet would lead the review, focusing on whether agencies have the right powers, structures and information-sharing arrangements in an increasingly complex security environment.
As per news.com.au, Albanese said the review was prompted by the “horrific antisemitic terrorist attack” at Bondi Beach, which he described as inspired by Islamic State, and stressed that Australia’s security agencies must be in the strongest possible position to respond to evolving threats.
The review will be led by Dennis Richardson, a former secretary of both the Department of Defence and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, as well as a former intelligence chief and ambassador to the United States. It will build on the findings of the Independent Intelligence Review conducted by Richard Maude and Heather Smith, with the final report to be delivered by the end of April 2026 and released publicly.
Mike Burgess, the head of Australia’s domestic intelligence agency ASIO, has expressed deep sorrow over the deaths and injuries caused by the Bondi terrorist attack, acknowledging the grief of families and the Jewish community affected while marking Hanukkah.
In a statement, Burgess welcomed the Commonwealth’s review into federal law enforcement and intelligence agencies, confirming ASIO would fully cooperate and saying the process would help reassure the public that the agency acts lawfully and proportionately to protect Australians.
He revealed ASIO had already launched its own internal review immediately after the attack, with findings to be shared with the Minister and the Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security and made public. Burgess said any mistakes would be openly acknowledged and learned from, while cautioning that ASIO is “not all seeing and all knowing”.
While expressing “grave regret” that the agency was not aware of the attack beforehand, he rejected claims of systemic failure, defending ASIO against allegations it had mishandled intelligence or weakened counter-terrorism efforts. “Tragically, in this case we did not know about the attack before it happened. That is a matter of grave regret for me and my officers,” Burgess said.
“But that does not necessarily mean there was an intelligence failure or that my officers made mistakes.”
The announcement has drawn sharp criticism from senior opposition figures. Former treasurer Josh Frydenberg labelled the move “wholly inadequate”, arguing that an internal departmental review would fail to address deeper issues of radicalisation and systemic failure.
He said a Commonwealth royal commission was needed, questioning why a state-based inquiry was considered sufficient when the attack involved federal offences and national security responsibilities. “The threat is national,” he said, adding that extremist violence and antisemitic intimidation posed a danger to all Australians, not just the Jewish community.
The debate comes amid growing scrutiny of Australia’s intelligence and policing agencies following the Bondi Beach attack, in which 15 people were killed and dozens injured during a Hanukkah festival. Questions have been raised about police resourcing at the event and how the suspects, Naveed and Sajid Akram, were able to avoid sustained attention from counter-terrorism authorities despite links to extremist preaching environments.
Sajid Akram, who was killed during the police response, had legally acquired six firearms after obtaining a gun licence in 2023. His son, Naveed, now faces 59 charges, including committing a terrorist act.
The Prime Minister has indicated he is open to supporting a royal commission, particularly after NSW Premier Chris Minns signalled backing for a state inquiry. However, he has also urged national unity, warning against rallies or activities that seek to inflame division in the wake of the attack.
“Terrorists seek to divide us,” he said, calling on Australians to stand together during the National Day of Reflection and rejecting any attempt to exploit the tragedy to spread hate or discord.
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