Tag Archives: oceania

PM orders review into law enforcement and intelligence agencies

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced a review will be conducted into the country's intelligence and federal law enforcement agencies in the wake of the Bondi shooting.

The report will be led by former intelligence chief Dennis Richardson, and will examine multiple aspects of how Australia's security agencies are equipped to respond to acts of terror.

"The ISIS-inspired atrocity last Sunday reinforces the rapidly changing security environment in our nation. Our security agencies must be in the best position to respond," the prime minister said in a statement this morning.

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The PM's own department, as well as cabinet, will undertake a wide-ranging examination of several agencies, including the Australian Federal Police (AFP) and Australia's Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO).

"[The report] will examine whether federal law enforcement and intelligence agencies have the right powers, structures, processes and sharing arrangements in place to keep Australians safe in the wake of the horrific antisemitic Bondi Beach terrorist attack," Albanese said.

The report will be provided to the government in April next year, and will also be made available to the public.

Albanese has stopped short of ordering a Royal Commission into how intelligence services and federal agencies acted before the shooting, which left 15 people dead.

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Nationals leader David Littleproud addresses the media at a doorstop interview at Parliament House in Canberra on Wednesday 26 November 2025. fedpol Photo: Alex Ellinghausen

His stance has been criticised by the leader of the Nationals, David Littleproud, claiming Albanese was afraid of the "truth" being revealed.

"There's no reason why we shouldn't have a federal Royal Commission," he said on Today.

"There has been a litany of failures here for two and a half years. The warning signs were there from the 8th of October, 2023.

"We should look ourselves in the eye. We should look at the failings of decisions made at a political level, at intelligence levels."

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SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 21: General view of the memorial at Bondi Pavilion on December 21, 2025 in Sydney, Australia. Life slowly returned to normal at Bondi Beach, with people from all walks of life still paying respects and tributes as raw grief and funerals gave way to quiet commemorations. Police say at least 16 people, including one suspected gunman, were killed and more than 40 others injured when two attackers opened fire near a Hanukkah celebration at the world-famous Bondi Beach, i

A National Day of Reflection has been declared a week on from the shooting, with people across the country and at Bondiurged to observe a minute of silence at 6.47pm AEDT.

Australians are also being encouraged to light a candle in solidarity with the victims and the Jewish community.

There will be a vigil held at Bondi Beach tonight.

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Wild weather set for Victoria with severe thunderstorms, bushfires

Parts of Victoria have been warned to brace for severe thunderstorms, while an extreme fire warning has been issued in the state's northwest.

The Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) said storms with large amounts of rain and high winds may hit the Gippsland region today, advising residents hail is also possible.

Rain has already battered parts of the state this morning, with 46.4mm of rain recorded in just three hours to 9.40am at Ovens River near Wangaratta.

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Severe storms swept western NSW on Tuesday bringing heavy rain , strong winds and hail as well as thousands of lightning strikes. Taken near Nyngan Photo Nick Moir 24 Nov 2023

The official warning said the severe weather could last for several hours.

"Locations which may be affected include Bairnsdale, Orbost, Bright, Falls Creek, Dargo and Buchan," BoM said.

The wild weather has been caused by a "moist and unstable airmass" moving in a line across the state.

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The Gippsland region in Victoria is bracing for huge storms today.

Meanwhile, near the Victoria-New South Wales border, an extreme fire danger has been declared in the Mallee region close to Mildura.

"Warm and dry conditions over northwest Victoria, with fresh to strong and gusty west to southwesterly winds in the afternoon, will lead to elevated fire dangers," the BOM said.

There is currently one out-of-control bushfire in the state, in and around the Wyperfeld National Park and Patchewollock, Yaapeet, and Hopetoun.

It is not threatening any homes or communities, but officials are urging residents to be on alert.

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