Australia’s top intelligence official has told a national inquiry that the country’s spy agency was under significant pressure from multiple security threats in the lead‑up to the Bondi antisemitic mass shooting, though he maintains it still had the resources needed to carry out its work.
Mike Burgess, Director‑General of the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation, appeared before the Royal Commission examining the December attack, in which Sajid Akram and his son Naveed allegedly opened fire on Jewish families gathered for a Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach. Fifteen people were killed Australia’s deadliest mass shooting in decades.
Burgess told the inquiry that ASIO had been “stretched” by a wide spectrum of threats, including religious extremism, online radicalisation of young people, and other emerging risks. Even so, he insisted the agency was not overwhelmed.
“We were not leaving serious matters untreated or uninvestigated,” he said. “We are not all‑seeing and all‑knowing… In retrospect, I still think that our resourcing was sufficient for the problems we faced.”
Burgess is expected to face further questioning in a closed‑door session about confidential intelligence arrangements.
The attack has triggered widespread national reflection on rising antisemitism and anger over the failure to protect Jewish communities. In response, the federal government announced sweeping gun law reforms, including a nationwide buyback scheme though progress has stalled as states and territories have yet to fully agree.
The Royal Commission, led by respected former High Court judge Virginia Bell, is expected to run for an extended period, as is typical for inquiries of this scale.
Alleged gunman Sajid Akram, 50, was shot dead by police during the attack. His son Naveed, a 24‑year‑old Australian citizen, has been charged with terrorism and 15 counts of murder and remains in custody.
+ There are no comments
Add yours