Deputy Opposition Leader Jane Hume has strongly criticised the Albanese government's response to the Bondi terror attack, following the release of interim findings from the royal commission into antisemitism.
Hume's condemnation
Speaking on Sunrise on Friday, Hume described the findings as a "damning indictment on the preparedness of the Albanese government in a time of threat and crisis."
The report, which examined the December 14 attack at Sydney's Bondi Beach, made 14 recommendations after two gunmen allegedly opened fire on a Hanukkah celebration, leaving 15 victims dead and 40 injured.
Key findings of the report
The royal commissioner found that while funding to intelligence agencies has increased in recent years, counter-terrorism funding had actually declined in the lead-up to the attack. This has raised serious questions about resource allocation during an increasingly unstable security environment.
Critically, the report concluded that Jewish Australians are now at greater risk than before the Bondi attack. It also found the National Security Committee was "not match fit," criticising the government's initial coordination of the response.
Political reactions
Hume said the findings were a "terrible indictment on the Labor government and Anthony Albanese himself." She added, "The prime minister couldn't even hold a meeting correctly; he called the wrong group of people around a table twice before he got the right group of people to deal in response to the Bondi tragedy."
Health Minister Mark Butler noted that the report's core finding examined whether urgent or immediate action was needed to change how counter-terrorism agencies were set up and operated. The commissioner concluded there was no need for immediate structural changes but provided recommendations to enhance their function.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed the Commonwealth has accepted all 14 recommendations, with New South Wales Premier Chris Minns also committing to implement them following the attack in his state.
