Australia’s Albanese announces intelligence review following Bondi Beach shooting

ISTANBUL

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said that the country’s federal intelligence and law enforcement agencies will be reviewed in the wake of the Dec. 14 mass shooting on Sydney's Bondi Beach.

In a statement, Albanese said the review would be completed in April and published, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation reported on Sunday.

Last Sunday evening, a man and his son opened fire on the beach in Sydney, killing 15 people and injuring 42 others. Police described the incident as a "terrorist attack."

The “atrocity” of the last week “reinforces the rapidly changing security environment in our nation. Our security agencies must be in the best position to respond," Albanese said.

Dennis Richardson, the former chief of the Australian Security Intelligence Organization (ASIO) and of the departments of defense and foreign affairs, will lead the review through the prime minister's own department.

Focused on federal agencies, including ASIO and the Australian Federal Police, the review will examine the "powers, structures, processes, and sharing arrangements in place to keep Australians safe."

Sunday is a “National Day of Reflection” to commemorate the lives lost in the mass shooting, with Albanese attending a service at the site on Sunday evening, joined by New South Wales Premier Chris Minns.

“Terrorists have sought to divide this country but this is a time to stand united – particularly on this National Day of Reflection,” Albanese said through US social media company X.

“There are organized rallies seeking to sow division in the aftermath of last Sunday’s antisemitic terrorist attack, and they have no place in Australia. They should not go ahead and people should not attend them,” he added.