Top spy boss Mike Burgess to give evidence as antisemitism royal commission resumes
Mike Burgess is among five witnesses due to give evidence during the second block of hearings at the Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion. (AAP: Lukas Coch)
In short:
The head of Australia's spy agency is due to give evidence at the Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion as it enters its second hearing block, which will focus on the Bondi terror attack.
People with lived experience of antisemitism have previously told the inquiry they observed an increase in antisemitic incidents in the years before the shooting.
Some hearings are expected to be closed to the public due to ongoing criminal proceedings and matters of national security.
The head of Australia's spy agency will be the first witness when the royal commission on antisemitism resumes this week, as the circumstances surrounding the deadly Bondi terror attack are further scrutinised.
Fifteen people were killed when gunmen opened fire at a Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach in Sydney on December 14, 2025.
Mike Burgess, director-general of the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation, is among five witnesses due to give evidence on Monday.
Australian Federal Police Assistant Commissioner Stephen Nutt, Leanne McCusker from NSW Police, and two representatives from Jewish security group CSG will also front the public hearing.
The circumstances surrounding the Bondi terror attack will be examined during a royal commission on antisemitism. (ABC News: Che Chorley)
The Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion this month heard from Jewish Australians who were affected by the attack, and who had noticed an increase in antisemitic incidents before the shooting.
The inquiry will now resume, with the second block of hearings in Sydney to focus on:
- The terrorist threat level and security environment in the lead-up to the attack.
- What was known about the gunmen, and what was done with that information.
- The security arrangements for the Chanukah by the Sea event.
- How intelligence about individuals known to authorities is utilised and shared to inform decisions made by security, intelligence and law enforcement agencies.
- Resourcing for counterterrorism, and the effectiveness of current powers, systems and processes of security, intelligence and law enforcement agencies.
Some of the hearings may be shut to the public. (ABC News: Liam Patrick)
The block is expected to finish by June 12, with a substantial number of sessions expected to be closed to the public due to ongoing criminal proceedings and matters of national security.
The first day of the hearing block will be open to the public.
The third hearing block will examine institutions and industries where antisemitism has been identified, including social media platforms and university spaces.
No dates have been announced for this block.
Other issues identified in the inquiry terms of reference will be discussed at future hearings, with topics to include the drivers and possible solutions to radicalisation.
A number of hearings may be held in Melbourne in mid-July.
Lived experience in focus
Most witnesses have already told the inquiry they experienced a marked increase in antisemitism after the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, when 1,200 Israelis were killed and 250 taken hostage.
Some witnesses say they are being held accountable for Israel's actions. (ABC News: Jak Rowland)
Teenagers told the commission they had been made to feel accountable for Israel's retaliation to the Hamas attack, and they feared being Jewish in Australia.
The inquiry heard about incidents of firebombing and vandalism at Jewish businesses, students performing Nazi salutes in classrooms and musicians being excluded from gigs and professional events.
A number of people said they had considered moving to Israel, where they felt safer.
Many witnesses used pseudonyms and some gave evidence behind closed doors.
Submissions exceed 12,000
The inquiry has received more than 12,000 submissions, with most respondents identifying as Jewish.
The Australian National Imams Council (ANIC) made public its submission, which raised concerns about the growing impact of Islamophobia and the need to address all forms of hatred in the community.
The Australia Palestine Advocacy Network (APAN) made a 259-page submission, stating antisemitism was often "incorrectly conflated with antizionism in an attempt to silence Palestinian advocacy".
Critics say the IHRA definition of antisemitism could stifle Palestinian advocacy. (ABC News: Keana Naughton)
The royal commission rejected APAN's application to appear at the inquiry to cross-examine expert witnesses on the definition of antisemitism, which was a key focus of the first hearing block.
Leave to appear was granted to the Jewish Council of Australia, which argued the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism — which was adopted by the inquiry — could be used to stifle free speech and legitimate criticism of Israel's government.
The commission has already made 14 recommendations, all of which have been accepted by the federal government.
A final report is due before the first anniversary of the Bondi terror attack.