Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has again swept aside calls for a national royal commission into the Bondi Beach terrorist attack, in favour of a quicker review process.
The review, which will finalise its report by the end of April, will be led by retired intelligence head and former diplomat Dennis Richardson.
“The Richardson review will be able to look at any issues related to the events on December 14, the atrocity that was committed,” Mr Albanese said in Canberra on Monday.
“This is the most experienced person who can have a look quickly, sharply, go through with the experience that he has to determine any further actions that are required by the commonwealth government.
“He will talk as well, with not just NSW but other state agencies if required.”
Mr Richardson will assess whether the relevant commonwealth law enforcement and intelligence agencies, in the context of the Bondi shootings, performed to maximum effectiveness.
He will examine whether they have adequate powers, the right systems, processes and procedures, and determine whether information sharing with other federal, state and territory agencies is working.
He will also consider the circumstances in which the alleged offenders were assessed by the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation and the Australian Federal Police and consider any necessary changes.
Jewish community groups have been pushing for Mr Albanese to set up a national royal commission to examine the events leading up to the anti-Semitic attack on December 14.
Some 15 people died after a father-son duo inspired by Islamic State, or ISIS, targeted a Jewish Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach.
Nine people remain in hospital, including three who are in a critical but stable condition.
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