Richardson Quits Antisemitism Commission, Trust Shaken

0:00The latest headlines, weather, and stories right here on Sydney News today. Dennis Richardson, the former head of Australia's spy agency ASIL, has quit his role as Special Advisor to the Royal Commission on Anti-Semitism and Social Cohesion. This comes just six weeks before Commissioner Virginia Bell delivers her interim report on how intelligence and police agencies handled the lead-up, too. The Bondi Beach Massacre on December 14. Earlier this year, Richardson led an internal review of law enforcement after the attack. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese initially pushed for this quicker option, but public pressure from victims' families and the Jewish community led him to fold it into a broader Royal Commission after about 25 days of back and forth. The process has hit snags with security agencies getting legal advice on sharing info and government plans for whistleblower protections stuck in, committing. Plus, the Commission must avoid interfering with the upcoming criminal trial over the shootings.

1:01The Bondi gunmen were already on watchlists, yet they bought weapons and even traveled to the Philippines without authorities connecting the warnings. Amid rising tensions over anti-Semitism, Richardson's exit, without strong backing for the Commission, has damaged public trust in fixing those clear intelligence lapses. Meanwhile, it leaves the Prime Minister facing more criticism as the report looms. This episode is brought to you in partnership with our sponsor. Some travel miles to find peace. I just climb into bed and listen at solypillow.com