Inquiry into Bondi shooting says gun reform should be prioritised

A final report from the royal commission is to be delivered on the anniversary of the Bondi Beach shooting.

The inquiry announced that its first series of public hearings into antisemitism and the events leading up to the Bondi shooting would begin in the near term, with some proceedings potentially closed to the public.

Former High Court judge Virginia Bell released an interim report that made 14 recommendations, including prioritising gun reforms and extending policing arrangements for Jewish high holy days to other Jewish events. The report also urged governments to finalise nationally consistent firearms reforms and a proposed gun buyback scheme; five recommendations remain confidential for national security reasons. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said a National Security Committee agreed to implement all of Bell's recommendations.

A royal commission into antisemitism and the events surrounding the Bondi shooting was announced in January. It is described as Australia’s most powerful form of public inquiry.

A father-and-son duo armed with rifles and shotguns opened fire at a Sunday afternoon Hanukkah event in a Bondi Beach park, killing 15 people. Sajid Akram (50) was killed at the scene; Naveed Akram (24) was critically injured and later transferred from hospital to prison after being detained. Naveed Akram has been charged with 59 offences, including 15 counts of murder and one of committing a terrorist attack.

An email from the Jewish security group CSG NSW to NSW Police warned that the current security alert level for the Jewish community was 'HIGH' and that a terrorist attack against the NSW Jewish Community was likely, with a high level of antisemitic vilification. The report notes NSW Police acknowledged a request for police presence at upcoming Jewish events but said it had received no specific request for dedicated police resources for the Hanukkah event; differences between information provided by NSW Police and CSG NSW could not be resolved by the Commission.

A first series of public hearings for the inquiry is to begin on Monday, focusing on defining antisemitism, how it manifests in society, and the lived experiences of Jewish Australians.

The final report is to be delivered on the anniversary of the Bondi shooting (December 14, 2026). Because the date is future relative to the article's publication, the dateText reflects the article date (April 30, 2026).

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said a National Security Committee meeting had agreed to implement all of Bell's recommendations.

The interim report by former High Court judge Virginia Bell recommended that state and federal governments prioritise finalising and implementing nationally consistent firearms reforms, including a proposed gun buyback scheme. It also recommended extending NSW police procedures used for Jewish high holy days to other high-risk Jewish festivals and events; five of its 14 recommendations remain confidential for national security reasons.

The NSW state royal commission and the Dennis Richardson review were folded into the federal inquiry following the government’s decision reversal.

A landmark royal commission into antisemitism, called in the aftermath of the Bondi shooting, was announced in January 2026. The commission would examine antisemitism in society and institutions, and the inquiry would include the earlier review.

On December 14, 2025, a father-and-son duo opened fire at a Bondi Beach park, killing 15 people. Sajid Akram was killed by police at the scene; his son Naveed Akram was critically injured and later transferred from hospital to prison. Naveed Akram has been charged with 59 offences, including 15 counts of murder and one of committing a terrorist attack.

A review into intelligence and law enforcement agencies, led by former spy chief Dennis Richardson, was announced to examine authorities' handling in the lead-up to the attack and potential improvements.

In the days and weeks after the Bondi shooting, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese resisted calls to launch a royal commission and instead supported a government review into intelligence and law enforcement led by Dennis Richardson.