Story perspectives

Australia’s Royal Commission Issues Confidential Interim Report, Hearings Soon

5/2/2026

Left

Royal Commission Issues Report

The interim report kept over a third of its recommendations confidential, citing national security and pending court cases.
Australia’s royal commission issued a 155-page interim report and will begin public hearings next week.
Commissioner Virginia Bell noted a counter-terrorism funding drop 2020-2025, saying police handled the Bondi attack.
Jewish organisations, the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies, urged victims to submit evidence, stressing safety.

Right

Queensland Rejects Buyback

Queensland government rejected the proposed gun-buyback programme and firearm-ownership caps statewide.
Australia’s Royal Commission will hold public hearings beginning May 4, with portions of its official interim national security report classified.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the classified recommendations protect national security and will be implemented.
The report calls for a permanent counter-terrorism coordinator and a handbook update every three years.

History

Historical Context

The Anti-Terrorism Act was enacted on 6 December 2005 after the Howard government cited overseas attacks, notably the London bombings. It built on three 2004 anti-terrorism bills, expanded federal counter-terrorism powers, and introduced measures such as a shoot-to-kill clause and detention of suspects for up to two weeks. Ongoing national-security reviews revisit these measures.

1 of 3

Royal Commission Issues Report

The interim report kept over a third of its recommendations confidential, citing national security and pending court cases.
Australia’s royal commission issued a 155-page interim report and will begin public hearings next week.
Commissioner Virginia Bell noted a counter-terrorism funding drop 2020-2025, saying police handled the Bondi attack.
Jewish organisations, the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies, urged victims to submit evidence, stressing safety.

1 / 3