Normal view

Bondi royal commission: report calls for better policing of Jewish festivals after ‘high’ terror risk flagged for Hanukah event

30 April 2026 at 02:45

Interim report contains 14 recommendations, after inquiry examined agencies’ actions before the attack in which 15 people were killed

Sydney’s Jewish community told police of a “high” threat of an attack at December’s Chanukah by the Sea festival at Bondi beach, but New South Wales police appeared not to have completed a comprehensive risk assessment for the event, an interim royal commission report has found.

The interim report of the royal commission into antisemitism and social cohesion, established in the wake of December’s terror attack, found no gap in current laws that could have prevented the shooting. But it did call for greater coordination of policing at Jewish festivals and events.

Continue reading...

© Photograph: Mick Tsikas/EPA

© Photograph: Mick Tsikas/EPA

© Photograph: Mick Tsikas/EPA

‘Shortcomings and failures’ could sink Aukus nuclear submarines plan, UK inquiry warns

28 April 2026 at 04:58

Australia is dependent upon UK’s ability to deliver new submarines but report says ‘cracks are already beginning to show’

“Cracks are already beginning to show” in the UK’s funding for the Aukus agreement that could derail the ambitious nuclear submarine plan, a British parliamentary inquiry has found, highlighting a threat to Australia’s security.

UK shipbuilding has been under-funded for decades and the country’s submarine availability is “critically low”, the House of Commons defence committee’s report found.

Continue reading...

© Photograph: Richard Wainwright/AAP

© Photograph: Richard Wainwright/AAP

© Photograph: Richard Wainwright/AAP

Embassy encourages Australia-based Iranians to volunteer to help war effort

24 April 2026 at 06:37

Message on Telegram account has sparked alarm among diaspora groups, with one calling for the embassy to be closed

Tehran’s embassy in Canberra is promoting a recruitment drive for a paramilitary campaign to defend Iran from US forces, with the Australian federal police now looking into the matter.

As the war approaches the two-month mark, the embassy’s website and Telegram channel this week posted a message that instructed people on how to register for a voluntary drive to fight for their country, known as the “Janfada” – or “sacrificing life” – program.

Continue reading...

© Photograph: Peter Hobson/Reuters

© Photograph: Peter Hobson/Reuters

© Photograph: Peter Hobson/Reuters

❌