In the context of the Bondi terrorist attack Mr Dennis Richardson AC has been asked to undertake an Independent Review into Australia’s federal law enforcement and intelligence agencies, to be completed by the end of April 2026.
Mr Richardson will assess whether relevant Commonwealth intelligence and law enforcement agencies - predominantly the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation and the Australian Federal Police - in the context of the Bondi terrorist attack performed to maximum effectiveness; have adequate powers; the right systems, processes and procedures; and an appropriate authorising environment for information sharing with other federal, state and territory agencies.
In doing so, Mr Richardson will consider the circumstances in which the alleged offenders were assessed by agencies over time, to inform any adjustments that are necessary to the way that Commonwealth and state and territory law enforcement and intelligence agencies all interact with each other.
In particular, Mr Richardson will examine the following matters in relation to the Bondi terrorist attack:
- what relevant Commonwealth agencies knew about the alleged offenders before the attack, and when
- the interaction and information sharing between Commonwealth agencies, and between Commonwealth and state and territory agencies
- what judgements were made and actions taken by relevant agencies
- whether there were any additional measures that relevant Commonwealth agencies could have taken to prevent the terrorist attack
- whether relevant Commonwealth agencies were prevented from taking prohibitive actions by the current legislative framework and authorising environment
- what additional measures, if any, should be taken by relevant Commonwealth agencies to prevent similar attacks occurring in the future:
- whether they have adequate legislative powers, the right systems, processes and procedures, and an appropriate authorising environment for information sharing with other federal and state and territory agencies
- whether warrant and data access regimes and powers are adequate
- whether any legislative amendments are required.
Mr Richardson will engage with NSW agencies and, to the extent necessary, agencies in other states and territories.
The review will build on the findings of the 2024 Independent Intelligence Review and also the 2019 Comprehensive Review of the Legal Framework of the National Intelligence Community.
The Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet will establish a secretariat for the review and provide logistics support to the review as required.
Mr Richardson will have full access to all material he considers may be relevant to his inquiry. Relevant departments and agencies are to cooperate fully with the review and provide assistance in the form of documents, data, materials and meetings as requested.