{"id":1723,"date":"2026-04-30T01:05:12","date_gmt":"2026-04-30T01:05:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/australia\/1723\/"},"modified":"2026-04-30T01:05:12","modified_gmt":"2026-04-30T01:05:12","slug":"royal-commission-on-antisemitism-and-social-cohesion-interim-report-delivers-14-recommendations","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/australia\/1723\/","title":{"rendered":"Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion interim report delivers 14 recommendations"},"content":{"rendered":"

All levels of government should prioritise efforts to implement nationally consistent firearms legislation, a royal commission into antisemitism in Australia has found.<\/p>\n

The Royal Commission into Antisemitism and Social Cohesion is examining the circumstances surrounding the Bondi terror attack, in which 15 people were killed during a Hanukkah celebration on December 14.<\/p>\n

Gunman Naveed Akram has been charged with murder and terrorism offences over the deaths, with his father and fellow shooter Sajid Akram shot dead at the scene.<\/p>\n

Royal commissioner Virginia Bell has now delivered her interim findings, with her report identifying 14 recommendations, including five which have not been made public.<\/p>\n

Commissioner Bell said classified intelligence information has been removed from the public report, as has any material that could prejudice pending criminal proceedings.<\/p>\n

The recommendations which have been published<\/a> include:<\/p>\n

A review of Joint Counter Terrorism teams around Australia, with an urgent report to be submitted to police commissioners;Commonwealth, state and territory governments must prioritise a consistent national firearms agreement, together with a national gun buyback scheme;NSW Police should increase security at high-risk Jewish events.\"a<\/p>\n

Fifteen were killed in the terrorist attack at Bondi Beach on Sunday, December 14, 2025, (ABC News)<\/p>\n

She said she could find no gaps in legal or regulatory frameworks which could have impeded the ability for authorities to prevent or respond to the Bondi shooting, or similar acts of terror.<\/p>\n

“In these respects, no issue requiring urgent or immediate action has been identified,” she said in her report.<\/p>\n

But Commissioner Bell said there was room for all levels of government to improve its counter-terrorism capability.<\/p>\n

Firearms reforms in focus<\/p>\n

One of the recommendations included in the confidential interim report outlined suggestions to improve access to the Australian Firearms Information Network (AFIN).<\/p>\n

“It is important that law enforcement and intelligence agencies have timely access to accurate firearms data, to improve the chances of detecting terrorist attacks before they occur,” Commissioner Bell said in the report.<\/p>\n

\"Virginia<\/p>\n

Virginia Bell has made 14 recommendations. (Supplied: Murray Harris Photography)<\/p>\n

The commissioner also reviewed the reforms to firearms regulation announced by National Cabinet in response to the Bondi attack.<\/p>\n

These included the announcement of a national gun buyback scheme to purchase surplus, newly banned and illegal guns.<\/p>\n

The NSW government also announced limits on the number of firearms <\/a>that could be held by any one person.<\/p>\n

Commissioner Bell’s report said Home Affairs, ASIO and the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC) found the reforms, if implemented, “would assist to manage the risk of individuals with violent extremist ideologies or involved in serious and organised crime obtaining lawful access to firearms”.<\/p>\n

What’s next?<\/p>\n

The inquiry’s first round of public hearings will begin next week, with people with lived experience of antisemitism in Australia expected to be called to give evidence.<\/p>\n

Commissioner Bell said some sessions would be closed to the public, with hearings to continue over the next five months.<\/p>\n

Further hearing dates have yet to be announced, with Commissioner Bell to deliver her final report before the first anniversary of the terror attack.<\/p>\n

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