Royal Commission schedules classified hearing on Bondi Beach attack security

The Royal Commission into Anti-semitism and Social Cohesion, which finished its final block of public hearings on social cohesion in August, issued a statement that it will convene a further, classified hearing later this month. This hearing is part of the commission’s second block that investigated the circumstances of the deadly Bondi Beach terror attack in December. Because the evidence is considered highly sensitive, the hearing will be closed to the public to avoid prejudicing national security and the related criminal cases.

Topics to be examined include the terrorism threat level leading up to the attack, the conduct of security, intelligence and law-enforcement agencies, what was known about the alleged gunmen, security arrangements for the Chanukah by the Sea event, and how intelligence on firearms applications was shared and resourced for counter-terrorism. The decision follows calls from the Coalition for the investigation to continue. No further details were released.