An interim report from the royal commission into the Bondi terror attack has found that New South Wales police failed to complete a comprehensive risk assessment for a Hanukah event despite being warned by the Jewish community of a high threat level. The attack, which occurred in December 2025, left 15 people dead and 40 injured after two alleged Islamic State-inspired gunmen opened fire at the Chanukah by the Sea festival at Bondi Beach.
The Community Security Group (CSG) NSW, a Jewish community security organisation, informed police on 28 November of the planned event and requested assistance. A follow-up email on 8 December reiterated the warning, stating that the security level alert for the NSW Jewish community was 'high' and that a terrorist attack was likely. However, the report found that no written risk assessment for the event was provided by NSW Police.
The report, released on Thursday by commissioner Virginia Bell, made 14 recommendations, including making the federal government's counter-terrorism coordinator a full-time position, finalising nationally consistent gun laws, and prioritising a gun buyback scheme similar to that implemented after the Port Arthur massacre. Five recommendations remain classified due to ongoing criminal proceedings against one of the alleged shooters, Naveed Akram.
The commission also warned that the current war between the United States and Israel against Iran 'is likely to have increased the risk of attacks directed at the Australian Jewish community'. Despite the findings, the report concluded that there was no gap in existing laws that could have prevented the attack from being detected in advance, and no agency reported being hindered by the current legislative framework.
NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon acknowledged the finding but insisted that a risk assessment had been carried out, stating that there was a policing presence on the night and that police had worked with CSG in the lead-up to the event. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed that the government would implement all relevant recommendations.
