Australian counter-terror work ‘could be improved’, royal commission report says

Josh Butler

The Bondi royal commission’s interim report says it has heard evidence that police and government agencies had not found “any gap” in legal frameworks that impeded the terror attack being prevented or responded to – but says there is room for improvement.

“No commonwealth or state intelligence or law enforcement agency has suggested that it was prevented from taking prohibitive actions before or on 14 December 2025 by the then current legislative and authorising framework. In these respects, no issue requiring urgent or immediate action has been identified,” the interim report states.

double quotation markNonetheless, the review of this considerable body of material by officers with relevant experience and expertise and by Counsel Assisting and me has revealed aspects in which counter-terrorism capability at Commonwealth and state levels could be improved.

Tributes to victims are seen at the pedestrian bridge used by two gunmen during the Bondi beach terrorist attack in December. Photograph: Dean Lewins/EPAShare

Updated at 20.40 EDT

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Multiple recommendations will be kept confidential as they could compromise national security

As we noted earlier, multiple recommendations in the interim report will not be made public. Albanese said in a statement:

double quotation markThe interim report contains a small number of classified recommendations which cannot be publicly released because they could compromise sensitive national security information. The government will respond swiftly to these recommendations and Australians will see practical outcomes through a range of policy, program and funding measures.

ShareJosh Butler

Higher security at Jewish festivals recommended

The top recommendation from the royal commission’s interim report is that the “procedures adopted by NSW Police in respect of Operation Jewish High Holy Days should apply to other high risk Jewish festivals and events, particularly those that have a public facing element”.

The report states that, since the 7 October 2023 massacre of Israelis by Hamas, an “increase in the occurrence and reporting of antisemitic incidents has led to a significant increase in contact between relevant NSW Police Commands” and the Jewish safety organisation, Community Security Group NSW – particularly cultural festivals including Purim, Passover, Shavuot, the High Holy Days (Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot and Shemini Atzeret), Chanukah and days of cultural significance.

The report notes there is already “substantial engagement” between CSG and police agencies, but that there “may be scope for exploring different modes of collaboration between all parties”.

It suggests potential benefit in working closer, including whether police could start “meeting together regularly with CSG NSW at the operational level, to discuss the threat environment faced by Jewish Australians, planning for upcoming events and receiving CSG assessments and threat information”.

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Updated at 21.07 EDT

‘We’re acting on it’, Albanese says of interim report recommendations

The prime minister was asked how long it will take to implement the recommendations in the interim report; weeks, months or years. He said the government only received the report this morning and had already convened the national security committee, showing the brisk pace of action:

double quotation markWe’re not sitting back and just reading this document. We’re acting on it.

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Updated at 21.03 EDT

PM calls for nationally consistent gun reform

Albanese was just asked about the pace of gun reform in the wake of the Bondi attack and resistance from some states and territories. He said:

double quotation markWe support the recommendations, all of them. It will be up to state and territories. Of course, we’ll have to give consideration to the very clear recommendations – there were two of the recommendations that make it clear – that we should progress with nationally consistent gun reform.

I certainly hope that that occurs, and would continue to engage constructively with state and territory governments to say that this is reform, which is necessary.

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Updated at 21.05 EDT

Nino Bucci

Too early to tell if there were intelligence failures before Bondi attack: royal commissioner

The interim royal commission report into the Bondi massacre says it has not yet reached any conclusions about intelligence failures or police resourcing before the attack.

In the interim report released on Thursday morning, commissioner Virginia Bell said:

double quotation markWhile systemic aspects of the effectiveness of Commonwealth and state intelligence and law enforcement … are addressed in this Interim Report, important issues arising from the Bondi attack, including whether there was any failure to identify and act upon intelligence in the lead up to it, or in the allocation of police resources to the Chanukah event, will be addressed in hearings.

No conclusion in these respects can be reached on a review of the agencies’ documents alone and in the absence of according procedural fairness to any person or agency at risk of an adverse finding.

Bell said it was possible these questions would have to be asked in private hearings:

double quotation markIn light of the nature of the evidence that I anticipate will be led, some hearings will need to be closed to the public (closed hearings).

To the extent that it is possible to adduce evidence touching on intelligence and security matters in public this will be done.

The commission also noted that a submission received just before the finalisation of the interim report proposed improvements to the National Criminal Intelligence System, and “will be investigated in the course of hearings”.

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Albanese says national security committee agreed to adopt all recommendations relevant to the commonwealth

The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, is speaking now in Sydney after the delivery of an interim report from the Bondi royal commission.

“Five months on from the attack, Australia’s Jewish community is still grieving. Still hurting, still craving answers,” he said.

He said the report will help the nation “understand what happened that day, to help us stamp out the hatred that drove the attackers and to ensure that nothing like this ever happens again”.

He said the report found no urgent changes are required to keep Australia safe. But the 14 recommendations included in the interim report would enhance the nation’s counter-terrorism arrangements and capabilities.

Albanese said the national security committee had met this morning and will adopt all of the recommendations that a relevant to the commonwealth.

Anthony Albanese. Photograph: Richard Wainwright/AAPShare

Updated at 20.58 EDT

Josh Butler

Bondi terror accused will not be called to give evidence to royal commission, Virginia Bell says

The accused shooter behind the Bondi terror massacre at a Jewish Hanukah festival will not be called to give evidence at the royal commission, commissioner Virginia Bell says, and has indicated that witnesses to the attack may also not feature in her inquiry.

It’s also unlikely the royal commission will – at least in its public hearings or reports – make any findings about the motivation behind the attack.

Her interim report gives some new ideas about her thinking about how the commission will be framed. In the report, Bell writes that her “general principle, … to guide the conduct of the Royal Commission in light of the current criminal proceedings” include not asking the accused to be interviewed or give evidence.

“Persons who are, or who are likely to be, witnesses in the criminal proceedings ought not be interviewed or called to give evidence about the Bondi attack,” Bell wrote.

double quotation markThe Royal Commission ought not, in its public hearings or publicly available report, make findings or comments about the intention and motivation of the shooters. To the extent that it is possible, the Royal Commission should avoid causing or contributing to further publicity that may occasion prejudice to the accused among potential jurors.

Virginia Bell and governor-general Sam Mostyn. Photograph: Lukas Coch/AAPShare

Australian counter-terror work ‘could be improved’, royal commission report says

Josh Butler

The Bondi royal commission’s interim report says it has heard evidence that police and government agencies had not found “any gap” in legal frameworks that impeded the terror attack being prevented or responded to – but says there is room for improvement.

“No commonwealth or state intelligence or law enforcement agency has suggested that it was prevented from taking prohibitive actions before or on 14 December 2025 by the then current legislative and authorising framework. In these respects, no issue requiring urgent or immediate action has been identified,” the interim report states.

double quotation markNonetheless, the review of this considerable body of material by officers with relevant experience and expertise and by Counsel Assisting and me has revealed aspects in which counter-terrorism capability at Commonwealth and state levels could be improved.

Tributes to victims are seen at the pedestrian bridge used by two gunmen during the Bondi beach terrorist attack in December. Photograph: Dean Lewins/EPAShare

Updated at 20.40 EDT

Bondi royal commission suggests ‘counter-terror exercise’ for PM, cabinet

Josh Butler

The Bondi royal commission’s interim report has been released. We’re reading now, but there are 14 recommendations – including six that are not included in the public version of the report, and kept to a confidential version.

Of the eight which are in the public version, they include recommendations that:

• The procedures adopted by NSW police in respect of Operation Jewish High Holy Days should apply to other high risk Jewish festivals and events, particularly those that have a public facing element.

• Consideration be given to making the counter-terrorism coordinator’s role full-time.

• 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.

There’s also other recommendations about updating procedures on crisis management, a review of joint counter-terror teams, and calls for state and federal governments to “prioritise efforts to finalise and implement an updated and nationally consistent National Firearms Agreement” and the “to implement the proposed National Gun Buyback Scheme”.

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Updated at 20.28 EDT

Instructor and student killed in small plane crash near Adelaide yesterday

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) said an instructor and a student were the two people killed in a small plane crash near Adelaide’s Parafield airport.

The four-seat airplane had just taken off from the airport when it crashed into a hangar where a large amount of fuel was stored. The ATSB said it is investigating the cause of the accident, which also injured 10 people on the ground.

ATSB chief commissioner, Angus Mitchell, told ABC News Breakfast this morning:

double quotation markWe know quite tragically the instructor and the student have lost their lives.

Equally, we know a number of personnel were inside the hangar it’s impacted, with varying degrees of injuries to quite significant burns to smoke inhalation.

They’re being treated in various Adelaide hospitals as we speak.

Officials will hold a press conference on the crash later this morning.

Smoke rises at Parafield airport after a small plane crashed into an airport hangar. Photograph: Joshua Lee Swannell/ReutersShare

Updated at 20.24 EDT

Josh Butler

Bondi royal commission report has 14 recommendations

We’re still awaiting the interim report of the Bondi royal commission to drop – we hope it will be publicly released before the prime minister gives a press conference later this morning – but one detail has so far been released.

On the royal commission’s website, it says:

double quotation markThe Interim Report examines the circumstances surrounding the antisemitic attack at Bondi Beach on 14 December 2025 (Term of Reference (c)).

It contains 14 recommendations.

We’ll bring you more of those recommendations when the report is published. The royal commission says its final report “will be submitted no later than 14 December 2026”.

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Updated at 20.00 EDT

Commissioner delivers interim report on antisemitism to governor general

The commissioner for the royal commission on antisemitism and social cohesion, Virginia Bell, has delivered her interim report to the governor general, Sam Mostyn, at Government House in Canberra.

We’re expecting the government’s response, and details of the report, soon.

Virginia Bell and governor general Sam Mostyn at Government House. Photograph: Lukas Coch/AAPShare

Updated at 20.05 EDT

Jonathan Barrett

Too early to predict impacts on profitability, Woolworths says

Woolworths says it is still too early to predict the impacts on its profitability from the conflict and how elevated living costs will impact shopping behaviours.

Consumer prices are now growing at their fastest pace in two-and-a-half years, according to inflation data released yesterday.

The overall Woolworths business, which includes Big W and its New Zealand operations, reported a 4.5% lift in quarterly sales to $18.1bn.

Separately, Woolworths is defending a court action taken by the consumer watchdog over allegations it broke consumer law by offering “illusory” discounts to shoppers.

Closing arguments are scheduled to start today in the federal court in Sydney.

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Updated at 19.41 EDT

Jonathan Barrett

Woolworths food sales up amid inflation warning

Woolworths has warned that high fuel costs stemming from the Middle East conflict will exert greater inflationary pressures later this year after reporting strong food sales across its Australian supermarkets.

The country’s biggest supermarket chain recorded a 5.9% lift in food sales from its flagship Australian division to $13.8bn, according to quarterly financial results released this morning.

Woolworths chief executive, Amanda Bardwell, says the conflict is “creating greater uncertainty for our customers, suppliers and team at a time when cost-of-living pressures are already acute”.

“While the impact on the group to date has been limited, higher fuel costs and secondary effects are likely to have an increasing inflationary impact as we move through the calendar year,” Bardwell says.

A customer checks prices at a Woolworths supermarket. Photograph: Ye Myo Khant/SOPA Images/ShutterstockShare

Updated at 19.24 EDT

Ima Caldwell

At an idyllic Sydney beach, a 25-tonne sperm whale slowly disintegrates

On a rock shelf at the southern end of Era beach, the estimated 25-tonne body of a sperm whale rests like a melted candle. Looking down at the rock pools, floating chunks of white fat bob in the water.

Since its discovery on Saturday morning, the rotting whale has lured sharks to the coastline, forcing the closure of several beaches in Sydney’s Royal national park.

Surf Life Saving New South Wales reported a shark sighting at Era beach at 9.28am on Saturday. By Sunday morning, SharkSmart confirmed all beaches within the national park – including Garie, North Era, South Era, Wattamolla and Burning Palms – were closed, and they remained so as of Wednesday.

A woman inspects the dead sperm whale that lies rotting in the midday sun. Photograph: Jessica Hromas/The GuardianWalkers cover their mouths and noses from the rotting stench. Photograph: Jessica Hromas/The GuardianA dead sperm whale lies dead halfway along the rock shelf at south Era beach. Photograph: Jessica Hromas/The GuardianShare

Updated at 19.13 EDT

Iran war could result in thousands fewer new homes

The Iran war could result in Australia building 33,000 fewer homes than planned, the government’s independent housing adviser has warned.

AAP reports Australia was making ground on its housing supply targets before the Middle East conflict broke out in late February, the National Housing Supply and Affordability Council found in its annual state of the housing system report on Thursday.

But the effective closure of the strait of Hormuz, which sent fuel prices skyrocketing and disrupted supply chains for building materials such as PVC pipe, has severely affected the housing sector.

Photograph: BeyondImages/Getty Images

Prior to the conflict, the council was estimating that Australia would build 980,000 new homes over the National Housing Accord period, which ends in June 2029.

But the council now expects 33,000 fewer homes will be built over the accord period than previously assumed if the crisis persists and the increase in construction costs peaks at 10%.

The impact could be even worse as the council’s modelling does not take into account consumer sentiment, reticence to borrow and broader economic conditions.

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Updated at 18.52 EDT

Caitlin Cassidy

Australia’s use of methamphetamine has doubled in a decade, wastewater monitoring reveals

Methamphetamine use in Australia has almost doubled in the past decade and stimulants are being taken at record highs, new wastewater monitoring reveals.

On Wednesday evening the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (Acic) released its latest annual report after testing wastewater samples from 64 treatment plants across the country between August 2024 and 2025.

It found that consumption of crystal meth, also known as ice, was at its highest recorded level since the program began in 2016.

Read more here:

Wastewater testing in 2024-25 found that crystal meth consumption was at its highest recorded level since the program began in 2016. Photograph: Tracey Nearmy/AAPShare

NSW minister says plan for new gas exploration about getting fuel to ‘local mums and dads’

Courtney Houssos, the NSW minister for finance and natural resources, spoke to RN Breakfast this morning after the state said it would open new areas for gas exploration for the first time in more than a decade.

Houssos said the plan was an “important step” to see the state have a “secure energy supply”, but said they would not be a short-term fix for any ongoing fuel issues as they could take at least 10 years to produce any usable gas. She said:

double quotation markWe are reading the same forecasts that you are from the Australian Energy Market Operator and others warning us of looming gas shortfalls. So we think that this is the responsible thing to do as a government.

Courtney Houssos. Photograph: Bianca de Marchi/AAP

She said she understood concerns about the plan, including slashing exploration licence fees from $50,000 to $1,000, but said the state had a robust system to take safety into account when it came to biosecurity and environmental concerns.

double quotation markWe’re certainly hearing those concerns, but we think this is an important step. We have to make sure that local mums and dads, local households have access to this. And that’s an important point to make.

This is gas that would be unlocked for local mums and dads, local households and local businesses.

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Updated at 18.53 EDT

Albanese ruled out a gas export tax on existing contracts yesterday, criticising a ‘populist’ campaign

Anthony Albanese confirmed yesterday next month’s federal budget will not include a new tax on existing gas export contracts as he criticised the “populist” campaign calling for a levy on producers.

In a speech to the Chamber of Minerals and Energy of Western Australia on Wednesday, the prime minister directly tied gas exports to Australia’s fuel security amid the global energy crisis. He said:

double quotation markThe middle of a global fuel crisis is the worst possible time to jeopardise these partnerships, or the investment that underpins them.

You can read more about his feelings here:

Photograph: Mick Tsikas/ReutersShare

Updated at 17.59 EDT