Antisemitism royal commission interim report recommends review of Joint Counter Terrorism teams

An interim report form, which is made by the Royal Commission into Antisemitism and Social Cohesion, has made 14 recommendations to strengthen counter-terrorism responses.

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. The commission has also found there were no legal or regulatory gaps that stopped authorities from preventing or responding to the Bondi terror attack in December 2025.

The recommendations which have been published include 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; The Australian Government should consider whether National Security Committee ministers, including the prime minister, should participate in a counter-terrorism exercise, along with all National Cabinet members, within nine months of each federal election; and NSW Police should increase security at high-risk Jewish events.

One of the recommendations also included in the confidential interim report outlined suggestions to improve access to the Australian Firearms Information Network (AFIN). These included the announcement of a national gun buyback scheme to purchase surplus, newly banned and illegal guns. If implemented, the reforms would assist to manage the risk of individuals with violent extremist ideologies or involved in serious and organised crime obtaining lawful access to firearms.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said all recommendations relevant to the Commonwealth would be implemented, saying that “I can confirm that the National Security Committee has met this morning, and we have adopted and will implement all the recommendations of the interim report that are relevant to the Commonwealth.”