Bondi Royal Commission Interim Report Comes Down

The Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion has made 14 recommendations in its Interim Report, which was today presented to the Governor-General Her Excellency the Honourable Sam Mostyn AC, and all State Governors.

Commissioner Virginia Bell AC SC said that the Royal Commission’s preparation of the Interim Report had been informed by a thorough analysis of material obtained by the Commission, including from national security, intelligence and law enforcement agencies.

“Our inquiry revealed some respects in which counter-terrorism capability at Commonwealth and state levels might be improved,” said Commissioner Bell.

The full Interim Report will be provided on a confidential basis to the Australian Government and state governments. An edited version will be made available to the public. Some parts of the confidential report cannot be disclosed publicly, for reasons that include national security and the need to avoid prejudice to current criminal proceedings.

Interim Report key recommendations include:

The procedures adopted by NSW Police in respect to Operation Jewish High Holy Days should apply to other high risk Jewish festivals and events, particularly those that have a public facing element.
The Commonwealth and states and territories should prioritise efforts to finalise and implement an updated and nationally consistent National Firearms Agreement and National Gun Buyback Scheme.
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.
Consideration given to making the Counter-Terrorism Coordinator’s role full-time.
The Australia-New Zealand Counter-Terrorism Committee should provide direct advice in the form of a written and/or oral briefing, at least annually, to National Cabinet.

A number of issues identified in the Interim Report will be further explored in hearings. Hearing block 2 will commence on 25 May 2026 in Sydney to examine these issues.

The Interim Report is available on the Commission’s website.

By Michael Barker, Editor, Fremantle Shipping News.

You will find more FSN coverage of the Bondi Royal Commission right here. Fremantle Shipping News will continue to cover the proceedings of the Royal Commission.

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