Former Spy Chief Resigns from Royal Commission Over Safety Timeline and Pay Concerns
Dennis Richardson, the former director-general of Asio and ambassador to the United States, has dramatically resigned from the royal commission into antisemitism and social cohesion. Richardson cited concerns that recommendations regarding intelligence agencies and public safety "cannot wait until December" and questioned the justification for his $5,500 daily remuneration.
Urgent Call for Action on Bondi Attack Failures
In a recent ABC podcast interview, Richardson emphasized the critical need for immediate action following the December Bondi terrorist attack, where two gunmen killed 15 people at a Jewish community Hanukah event. "You cannot leave matters that go to public safety till the end of the year, particularly when you have a small section of the community living in such fear," he stated.
The royal commission, led by former high court judge Virginia Bell, was established to investigate the massacre and broader social cohesion issues. However, Richardson expressed frustration over delays in examining security arrangements and intelligence agency work, with hearings on these matters scheduled to begin only around the time of the interim report due on April 30.
Disagreement Over Timeline and Role
Richardson's resignation reportedly stemmed from disagreements with Bell over the commission's timeline and whether a second interim report should be issued. He argued that any findings related to intelligence and law enforcement must be delivered to the government promptly, as they directly impact public safety. "The first responsibility of government is the safety of the community," he told the Insiders on Background podcast.
Initially tasked with an independent review of potential intelligence failures, Richardson's work was incorporated into the royal commission after political and community pressure prompted the Albanese government to establish the broader inquiry.
High Pay and Limited Contribution Cited
Richardson revealed that his decision to quit was also influenced by feeling "surplus to requirements" and unable to justify his $5,500 daily fee. "There wasn't enough discussion right at the beginning about the precise way things would work. And ultimately ... I was surplus to requirements," he explained to ABC's Radio National.
Despite his resignation, Richardson praised Bell's work and their strong working relationship, noting, "I've got no problem at all with the royal commission continuing in doing what it's doing, but put it this way: I didn't necessarily see my last job of this kind being more of a highly paid researcher."
Families Express Concerns Over Commission's Future
Families of the Bondi attack victims have voiced fears that Richardson's departure could undermine the commission's effectiveness. Jenny Rotyur, niece of victim Boris Tetleroyd, expressed worry that "everything would fall apart" without an expert on security agencies. "We wanted a really close look at the intelligence agencies and their failures," she said, adding, "We need the truth to be found, and without an expert on security agencies, I'm finding it hard to believe they're going to be able to do that."
Bell has previously warned that rules around sensitive information are impeding the interim report, with delays in obtaining and assessing material making it unlikely to address security adequacy and intelligence work before the April deadline.
