Security arrangements for a Jewish festival where 15 people were shot dead will be under scrutiny in a probe into anti-Semitism.
The Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion’s interim report delivered 14 recommendations on Thursday, including increasing security at Jewish events, tighter gun laws, and a review of how counter-terror agencies work together.
Five of the report’s recommendations were kept confidential for security reasons.
Anthony Albanese said the Commonwealth would adopt all recommendations amid a global rise in antisemitism.
“Five months on from the attack, Australia’s Jewish community is still grieving, still hurting, still craving answers,” the prime minister said.
The attack killed 15 people attending a Chanukah festival at Sydney’s popular Bondi Beach in December, prompting the government to launch the wide-ranging inquiry.
Four NSW Police officers and one area commander attended the event, despite warnings the Jewish community was experiencing heightened levels of vilification and the risk of a terrorist attack was “likely”, according to a Jewish security protection plan handed to police.
The Jewish Community Security Group identified the likelihood of violent or antisemitic incidents as elevated due to the visibility of “identifiably Jewish” people and prominence of the festival.
Police planned internally to provide a high-visibility presence, but noted there was “no need to stay the entire duration” in the report.
NSW Police told the commission decisions on the allocation of resources took into account a range of factors including the size and type of event and attendance of dignitaries.
Tighter security arrangements, such as for Jewish holidays Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, should apply to other high-risk community gatherings, the report recommended.
The adequacy of security arrangements on the day will be the subject of further exploration by the commission.
Despite identifying room for improvement in Australia’s response to antisemitism, former High Court judge and commission head Virginia Bell said there were no areas “requiring urgent or immediate action”.
The report recommended prioritising efforts to implement the National Firearms Agreement and National Gun Buyback Scheme to purchase and destroy surplus, newly-banned, and illegal firearms.
Without nationally consistent regulation, firearms flowed across state and territory jurisdictions with relative ease, the report found.
One of the gunmen shot dead in the attack was the legal owner of six firearms, and the report stated his use of licensed firearms highlighted inherent risks in their availability.
A review of Australia’s joint counter-terrorism network was also recommended, including leadership structures, team integration, systems access and information-sharing arrangements.
It recommended giving the Australia-New Zealand Counter-Terrorism Committee more power to advise the government on terror threats, including providing direct advice to national cabinet at least annually.
Mr Albanese said the National Security Committee had met and would implement all recommendations relevant to the Commonwealth, urging states and territories to also engage in reform.
He pushed back on suggestions the government had not done enough to combat anti-Semitism.
“There has been a rise in antisemitism that is a global phenomenon that has occurred since the October (2023) actions of Hamas,” Mr Albanese said.
“Governments need to respond to it. We are responding to it.”
NSW Jewish Board of Deputies president David Ossip said the findings confirmed the community’s belief that antisemitism in Australia had increased in both frequency and severity.
“Jewish Australians have increasingly been targeted not just with words, but with violence,” Mr Ossip said.
“The commission’s recommendations … are practical and constructive steps that can enhance the safety of our community.”
Sajid Akram was shot dead during the Bondi massacre while his son, Naveed Akram, remains before the courts on terrorism and multiple murder charges.
The commission will hold an initial block of public hearings in Sydney from May 4 to 15, addressing Jewish-Australian lived experiences of antisemitism.
A final report by the commission will be handed down before the end of the year.
If you find this story upsetting, please seek assistance:
- Lifeline on 13 11 14
- 13YARN on 13 92 76
- Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636
- Jewish House 1300 544 357
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