Albanese Government Sets Terms for Richardson Review Into Bondi Massacre, Rejects Royal Commission Calls
The Albanese government has released the terms of reference for an inquiry into the Bondi massacre. This inquiry will not be established as a royal commission but will take the form of Dennis Richardson’s review of ASIO and the AFP.
The Richardson review is tasked with assessing what ASIO and the AFP knew, and when, about Sajid and Naveed Akram prior to the attack. It will not investigate antisemitism. The review is expected to conclude by April and is designed to enable the rapid implementation of any urgent recommendations.
The work will be conducted largely in secret, with Richardson granted full access to materials. It may also involve the interrogation of ASIO chief Mike Burgess. Prime Minister Albanese has emphasized that proceeding with the Richardson review is in the national interest. Home Affairs Minister Burke stated that a royal commission could retraumatize the Jewish community.
This decision has drawn criticism from families of 11 of the 15 victims, who wrote an open letter pleading for a Commonwealth royal commission. Their appeal has framed much of the political debate. The Coalition and other groups have also demanded a royal commission, but Albanese insists that the scope of the inquiry is a matter for the government, not opposition leader Peter Dutton.
Following the attack, the government tightened gun laws nationwide and pledged stronger hate-speech laws, citing the precedent of the Port Arthur-era buyback. New South Wales has launched its own state-based inquiry, which differs in scope from the federal terms of reference.
