MEDIA STATEMENT 12 March 2026
Last night Australians learned that former ASIO Director-General Dennis Richardson has resigned from his role assisting the Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion, which includes an examination of the circumstances surrounding the Bondi Beach terrorist attack.
Dennis Richardson is one of the most respected intelligence and national security figures this country has ever produced. Few people in Australia have the experience, credibility, and expertise that he brings to issues of intelligence and law enforcement.
This morning Mr Richardson confirmed that he felt he had become “surplus to requirements” under the current structure of the inquiry. He also indicated that the level of work he was being asked to perform was not consistent with what he was being paid.
That revelation should concern all Australians, particularly the Australian Jewish community and the families of those who lost loved ones in the horrific attack at Bondi. It should also raise serious questions about the structure and effectiveness of this inquiry.
Mr Richardson was originally appointed by the Prime Minister to examine whether there were failures between our intelligence agencies and law enforcement that contributed to the deaths of 15 innocent Australians at the hands of two Islamic extremist terrorists. However, from the outset, his review was not given the powers necessary to properly conduct that task, including the ability to compel documents or witnesses.
It was only after sustained pressure from the Coalition, community leaders, business groups, former defence chiefs and many others across Australia that the Government finally relented and established a Royal Commission.
Now the departure of the very person the Prime Minister himself described as the best placed in the country to conduct this work leaves a significant void in the process.
The Prime Minister and the Attorney-General must urgently explain what has occurred and why one of Australia’s most respected national security experts felt he had no option but to step aside.
The Federal Government must also explain whether this development will impact on the date for the completion of the Royal Commission, due 14 December 2026.
Australians deserve answers about what led to this resignation, and more importantly, what the Government will now do to ensure the Royal Commission has the expertise required to properly examine the potential intelligence and law enforcement failures surrounding the Bondi attack.
This inquiry is too important for confusion, delay or structural shortcomings.
The families of the victims and the Australian Jewish community deserve nothing less than a process that delivers real accountability and real answers.
[ENDS]
Media Contact: Brendan West – 0402 556 646 – Brendan.west@aph.gov.au
