Former Spy Chief Quits Australian Antisemitism Royal Commission Amid Information Access Concerns

Sydney, Australia – Former Australian spy chief Dennis Richardson has resigned from his role as Special Adviser to the Royal Commission into Antisemitism and Social Cohesion, citing a feeling of being “surplus to requirements.” His departure comes as the commission faced roadblocks in accessing sensitive intelligence information, prompting the government to swiftly pass legislation to address the issue.

Richardson’s Departure and Rationale

Richardson, who previously led organizations including ASIO, the Defence Department, and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, stated he felt his role had been reduced to that of a researcher after his initial inquiry was folded into the broader royal commission. He expressed that he was “way overpaid” for the work he was doing, earning up to $5,500 per day [J-Wire]. He maintained that the recent legislative changes regarding access to classified information were not a factor in his decision.

Legislative Response to Information Access Issues

The Royal Commission, chaired by former High Court Justice Virginia Bell, had warned the government that restrictions on accessing classified information were “impeding” its work, particularly the preparation of an interim report due at the end of April [The Guardian]. Laws were passed by the Senate on March 12, 2026, to create extra protections for providing sensitive intelligence information to the commission, overcoming existing legal barriers [The Guardian].

Background of the Royal Commission

The Royal Commission was established by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese following the December 14, 2025, attack on a Chanukah event in Bondi Beach, which resulted in 15 deaths and remains Australia’s deadliest antisemitic terrorist attack [J-Wire]. The inquiry is examining the circumstances of the attack, the preparedness and response of security and intelligence agencies, and the broader issue of rising antisemitism in Australia.

Political Reactions

The opposition has criticized Richardson’s departure, warning that it could “fatally damage” the inquiry and urging the government to persuade him to reconsider [AFR]. Shadow ministers expressed concerns about the legitimacy of the royal commission’s findings without Richardson’s involvement.

Bell’s Statement and Interim Report Timeline

Commissioner Virginia Bell confirmed Richardson’s resignation and praised his early contributions, particularly in securing information from intelligence agencies. The interim report is due by the end of April 2026, with a final report expected before the anniversary of the Bondi attack in December 2026 [J-Wire]. Bell acknowledged that the inquiry faced a “tight timeframe” for meeting the one-year anniversary deadline [AFR].