Commissioner the Hon Virginia Bell AC has today delivered the Interim Report of the Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion.
The Government welcomes the Interim Report, accepts all recommendations that relate to the Commonwealth, and is committed to working with the states and territories to adopt a national approach to implementation of all 14 recommendations.
While Commissioner Bell found Australia’s existing legal and regulatory frameworks did not hinder agencies’ ability to prevent or respond to the Bondi attack, and that no urgent or immediate action is required, the recommendations go to enhancing our national counter-terrorism arrangements and capabilities.
The 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.
The Government established the Royal Commission in the wake of the antisemitic terrorist attack at Bondi to examine antisemitism in Australia and strengthen social cohesion.
The Government thanks Commissioner Bell and her team for their professionalism and dedication in delivering the Interim Report. The Government also thanks Mr Dennis Richardson AC for his contribution in leading the independent review of Australia’s federal law enforcement and intelligence agencies, which became part of the Royal Commission.