Former ASIO Head Dennis Richardson Resigns From Royal Commission, Citing Redundancy and Timeline Concerns

Dennis Richardson, former Director-General of the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO), has resigned from his role as a special adviser to the Royal Commission into Antisemitism and Social Cohesion. Richardson cited feeling "surplus to requirements" and concerns regarding the timeline for delivering critical intelligence findings related to the December 2024 Bondi attack. His resignation comes less than three months after the Royal Commission was established, although work on an interim report is reportedly well underway.

Background to the Royal Commission

The Royal Commission was established following a tragic attack on December 14, 2024, at a Hanukkah event in Bondi, where 15 people were killed and dozens injured. Authorities have alleged the perpetrators, Sajid and Naveed Akram, were inspired by the ideology of the Islamic State group.

Initially, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese commissioned an independent review, led by Dennis Richardson himself, to examine the actions of federal security and intelligence agencies prior to the attack. This review was to investigate information known about the alleged perpetrators, including an ASIO assessment of Naveed Akram from 2019, alleged trips to the Philippines, and alleged training exercises in Australia. It was also tasked with assessing information-sharing protocols between federal and state bodies and whether current laws impeded preventative actions. This initial review was intended to be a five-month, closed-door investigation, with findings expected by the end of April.

However, calls intensified for a broader federal royal commission. Jewish organizations, victims' families, the Coalition, and various public figures argued that the initial review's scope was too narrow and lacked the coercive powers of a royal commission. The Opposition, led by Sussan Ley, had proposed terms of reference for a Commonwealth royal commission that would also examine the broader issue of antisemitism.

On January 8, Prime Minister Albanese announced that Richardson's review would be incorporated into a broader Royal Commission into Antisemitism and Social Cohesion. This new, expanded inquiry is led by former High Court Justice Virginia Bell. Richardson transitioned to the role of a special adviser to this new, expanded inquiry.

Reasons for Resignation

Commissioner Virginia Bell announced Mr. Richardson's departure, expressing gratitude for his contributions but initially not providing specific reasons. Richardson subsequently stated that his resignation was due to several factors:

Role Redundancy: He felt "surplus to requirements" and that his role had evolved to be that of a "research officer leading a team," which he did not consider aligned with his qualifications or compensation. He reportedly stated his daily remuneration was $5,500 and he felt "grossly overpaid" for his contribution.
Operational Structure: Richardson indicated there was insufficient initial discussion regarding the precise operational structure of the commission. He felt that the integration of his review into the broader royal commission altered the nature of the work, leading to his input being minimized and the weight of his views limited.
Timeline Concerns: Richardson expressed concerns that critical findings regarding intelligence and law enforcement failures, particularly those impacting public safety, might be deferred too long. Justice Bell had indicated in February that challenges in obtaining and evaluating necessary materials might delay intelligence findings until the final report in December. Richardson argued that recommendations related to community safety, especially for a segment of the community experiencing fear, should be made available to the government as early as possible and cannot wait until the final report. He raised these concerns internally before his departure.

Richardson clarified that his decision was not critical of the government or Commissioner Bell, and he affirmed a strong working relationship with Bell. He expressed confidence in the Royal Commission's professionalism and its ability to achieve its objectives.

Commission and Government Response

Commissioner Bell confirmed Richardson's departure and noted his expertise in advising on intelligence and security agency material. She stated that work on the interim report, which Richardson was initially tasked to deliver by April 30, was "well advanced" and expected to be submitted on schedule.

Attorney-General Michelle Rowland thanked Richardson for his efforts and reaffirmed the government's support for the Royal Commission's independent work. She also expressed concern in late February about potential delays in delivering intelligence findings, emphasizing the matter's urgency.

Ongoing Work and Timelines

Despite Richardson's resignation, two senior members of his team will continue their work with the Royal Commission. Tony Sheehan, a former Commonwealth counter-terrorism coordinator, and Peter Baxter, a former deputy secretary at the Department of Defence, will contribute to the interim report.

The Royal Commission's interim report is scheduled for submission by April 30. The final report is due by December 14. Richardson had advocated for a second interim report or a deferral of the initial interim report to ensure intelligence findings were delivered sooner.

Broader Concerns

Richardson's resignation has prompted questions from opposition figures and community groups. Liberal MP Julian Leeser questioned the timing and potential factors influencing the departure. Shadow Attorney-General Michaelia Cash described Richardson's assessment of his redundancy as a "devastating indictment" of the government's management of the royal commission and questioned whether the commission would uncover the truth. Robert Gregory, President of the Australian Jewish Association, stated that Richardson's resignation further undermines public confidence in the inquiry.