Former Australian treasurer Josh Frydenberg has launched a scathing attack on Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's response to the deadly Bondi Beach terror attack, labelling a proposed intelligence review as "weak" and "wrong" and demanding a full federal royal commission.
A Call for a Full-Scale Inquiry
Mr Frydenberg, who has been a prominent voice within the Jewish Australian community since the atrocity, used social media to voice his profound dissatisfaction with the government's plan. On Sunday, Mr Albanese announced a major review into the performance of the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) and other authorities, to be led by intelligence chief Dennis Richardson.
The review, which will examine whether agencies need more powers to prevent terrorism, is scheduled to be made public in April 2026. However, Frydenberg argued this internal departmental probe would fail to address the core issues of radicalisation and antisemitism within the country.
"An Abrogation of Your Duty"
In a forceful post, the former treasurer directly challenged the Prime Minister. "It's weak, it's wrong, it's an abrogation of your first and fundamental duty to protect all Australian citizens after the deadliest terrorist attack on Australian soil at Bondi Beach," Frydenberg wrote.
He accused the Prime Minister of avoiding a more rigorous investigation, asking, "What are you afraid a Commonwealth Royal Commission will uncover?" Frydenberg pointed to New South Wales Premier Chris Minns, who has already endorsed a state-based royal commission, but argued the threat was national.
"No one could think that the extremist threat is limited to NSW. These are federal offences, federal responsibilities and failures at the federal level. The threat is national," he stated, adding that the attack was inspired by Islamic State and thus required a federal-level inquiry.
Government Defends Review Plan
Prime Minister Albanese, announcing the intelligence review, pledged it would scrutinise the powers and processes of federal law enforcement and intelligence agencies. He described the 14 December attack, in which alleged gunmen Naveed Akram and his father Sajid killed 15 people at a Jewish festival, as a "horrific antisemitic" atrocity that reinforced a rapidly changing security environment.
"Our security agencies must be in the best position to respond," Mr Albanese said. The review announcement followed his earlier support for a state-based inquiry after pressure from NSW Premier Minns.
However, the call for a federal royal commission has gained traction among some MPs, including Sydney MP Allegra Spender, whose Wentworth electorate includes Bondi. She advocates for an investigation with broad powers that accepts public submissions and consults the Jewish community.
Government ministers have previously played down the need for a royal commission, suggesting it would be too lengthy and divert resources from active law enforcement. The government's wider response to the attack includes plans for a significant gun buyback scheme, strict limits on firearm ownership, and a new strategy to combat antisemitism.
