The Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion Interim Report has stated that “no agency has suggested that the current legislative framework prevented intelligence or law enforcement agencies from taking action that may have prevented the Bondi attack.”
The Sporting Shooters Association of Australia (SSAA Inc.) has noted this nod to current firearm legislation and the absence of a recommendation to limit the number of firearms able to be held by any one individual in this interim report.
“This is an extremely sensitive and important day for all of those impacted by the terrorist attack in Bondi last year, and it’s critical that we focus on what will limit antisemitism now, and into the future” acknowledged Tom Keyon, the Chief Executive Officer of the SSAA Inc.
“The SSAA Inc. has long held concerns that focusing on firearms distracts from examination on much more urgent matters such as what leads to someone committing such abhorrent violent acts, and how information is shared about high-risk individuals” he added.
Within the interim report it was acknowledged by the NSW Police Commissioner that the firearms used in the Bondi attack were held lawfully. As such, this means NSW Police concluded the individual was “fit and proper” to hold a firearm licence.
While adjudicators of firearms licence applications, and how they obtain and consider intelligence will be the subject of further examination, the interim report contains a number of recommendations to improve systems and existing information sharing arrangements.
You can read the interim report here: Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion Interim Report | Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion