Independent Commonwealth Review into Australia’s federal law enforcement and intelligence agencies

On 21 December 2025, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced an independent review of Australia’s federal law enforcement and intelligence agencies, to be led by Mr Dennis Richardson AC.

The independent review will examine how relevant Commonwealth agencies—particularly the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation and the Australian Federal Police—operated in the context of the Bondi terrorist attack.

The review will assess whether these agencies:

1. operated as effectively as possible
2. had the necessary powers to do their work
3. had appropriate systems, processes and procedures
4. were able to share information effectively with Commonwealth, state and territory agencies.