Australia's spy agency defends security decisions before Bondi terror attack at royal commission

ASIO director-general Mike Burgess testified before a Royal Commission into Anti-Semitism and Social Cohesion on May 25, 2026, defending the agency's shift in operational priorities that preceded the Bondi terror attack. The commission is examining whether the agency's reallocation of resources affected its ability to flag the attackers before the incident occurred. The inquiry reflects Australia's broader reckoning with intelligence failures related to domestic terrorism and social extremism. The royal commission represents an official accountability mechanism examining how national security agencies prioritize threats.