Overview
- The Royal Commission into Anti‑Semitism and Social Cohesion has added a classified hearing to its inquiry to examine the security environment and agencies’ conduct in the lead‑up to the December Bondi Beach attack.
- The closed session will probe how intelligence was used and shared, what agencies knew about the alleged shooters, Chanukah by the Sea event security, firearms‑licence information flows and counter‑terrorism resourcing and powers.
- The extra hearing is part of the commission’s second block of work on the Bondi attack after earlier public hearings on anti‑Semitism and social cohesion concluded in August.
- Some politicians have pushed for a broader remit, with One Nation leader Pauline Hanson urging the commission to call religious figures to examine alleged ideological drivers of violence.
- The alleged shooter has been moved to Supermax custody and the commission says the classified format is needed to protect sensitive evidence while avoiding prejudice to ongoing criminal proceedings, a step that may limit public access to some findings but could allow frank agency testimony that informs future security reforms.