Name: Prime Minister declines royal commission calls, announces review
Uploaded: 2025-12-29T06:08:14.072Z
Duration: 2 min 48 s
Description: The Australian Prime Minister has declined calls for a Commonwealth Royal Commission into the Bondi Beach terrorist attack, instead supporting a national security review into communications between police and ASIO.

The Australian Prime Minister has declined calls for a Commonwealth Royal Commission into the Bondi Beach terrorist attack, instead supporting a national security review into communications between police and ASIO.

Canberra

The Australian Prime Minister has reaffirmed his decision to proceed with a national security review, rather than a Commonwealth Royal Commission, in response to the Bondi Beach terrorist attack. Despite direct pleas from the families of victims and calls from community leaders, the government maintains that the Richardson Review will deliver results more quickly and effectively.

The review, led by Dennis Richardson, will examine what government agencies knew about the attackers, inter-agency information sharing, and potential prevention measures. The findings are expected in April, while the push for a broader federal inquiry continues, with critics arguing that the review does not address all concerns, including anti-Semitism.

Prime Minister declines royal commission calls, announces review

Standing his ground, the Prime Minister sticking with a review and no Commonwealth Royal Commission into the Bondi Beach terrorist attack. It is in the national interest for us to do the Richardson Review on national security. Even after the families of 11 of the Bondi Beach victims pleaded directly with Anthony Albanese, calling for a federal probe. You owe us answers, you owe us accountability and you owe Australians the truth. So many people in power in Australia that understand the bigger picture have called for this Royal Commission. They understand what's at play, they understand what's at stake. But the government insists its review will lead to change faster than any Royal Commission. I understand why families and different people would call for it. Is it the right way to deal with national security? The answer is no. Is it the right way to deliver unity? The answer again is no. Instead, releasing its terms of reference into the security review led by Dennis Richardson, which will examine what Commonwealth agencies knew about Naveed and Sajid Akram before the attack, how the Commonwealth, state and territory agencies interacted and shared information, and if anything more could have been done to prevent Australia's worst terrorist attack. The findings will be handed down in April. Departments and agencies will cooperate fully with the review and provide assistance in the form of documents, data, material and meetings. A move slammed by the Coalition. Today the Prime Minister thumbed his nose at these families and told them, in effect, that he knows better. He's tone deaf, he's out of step with the rest of the nation. And Jewish leaders. It doesn't look at the problem of anti-Semitism across this country... ..as work on a New South Wales Royal Commission gets underway. The short answer is I don't have a date yet. As soon as possible. We want to make sure that the best form of Commonwealth support is provided to New South Wales. The Prime Minister has also hinted that federal parliament could return earlier than expected in the new year as it pushes through its national gun buyback scheme and hate speech reforms. The parliament will resume in 2026 as soon as possible. But the fight for a Commonwealth Royal Commission is far from over. We can do more than one thing at the same time. The families want and need healing and the Australian community wants accountability. You need to step up, you need to be held accountable, you need to be held responsible. You owe it to us. Matthew Karstunen, 10 News.

President Trump spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin by phone before meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Florida on Sunday. Trump said he thinks both men are ready for peace.

Florida

Ukraine Invasion

Trump meets with Zelenskyy, insists Putin is ready for peace

Far-right politics have pushed further into the mainstream across much of Europe. Populist parties, even in opposition, are shaping national debates on migration and the economy. The trend reflects growing voter frustration over living costs, borders and political trust.

Berlin

Far-right politics gaining influence across Europe

Ukrainian President Zelenskyy is set to discuss a new peace plan draft with U.S. President Trump in Florida on Sunday (December 28). However, fresh Russian attacks on Kyiv have left a third of the city without power, undermining local confidence.

Kyiv

Kyiv residents fear escalation amid Zelenskyy-Trump peace talks

A report has sought to catalogue some of the most significant extreme weather events of the year. UK charity Christian Aid found that heatwaves are pushing the limits of human adaptation, hurricanes and typhoons are breaking records, and droughts are devastating lives across the globe. It's all coming at a heavy financial cost.

Top 10 natural disasters cost over $120 billion in 2025, report says

Russia attacked Kyiv and other parts of Ukraine with hundreds of missiles and drones on Saturday, ahead of what President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said would be a crucial meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump to work out a plan to end nearly four years of war.

Russian drones, missiles pound Kyiv ahead of Zelenskiy-Trump meeting

French actor Brigitte Bardot has died aged 91, her foundation said on Sunday (December 28). She shot to international fame dancing the mambo barefoot in "And God Created Woman," her tousled hair and fierce energy radiating a sexual magnetism rarely before seen in mainstream cinema.

Saint-Tropez

Brigitte Bardot, France's 'legend of the century', has died

A ceasefire is now in place between Cambodia and Thailand after weeks of cross-border fighting. But with nearly a million civilians displaced and trust in short supply, the focus now is on whether the guns will stay silent.

Bangkok

Thailand and Cambodia agree on ceasefire to end weeks of deadly fighting

The storm that hit the Northeast this weekend dropped up to a foot of snow in some areas. New York City saw its highest level of snowfall in nearly four years, and the region's three major airports experienced significant delays and disruptions.

New York

Powerful winter storm brings heavy snow to Northeast

For approximately 10 hours Saturday, Russia attacked the Ukrainian capital city of Kyiv with about 500 drones and 40 missiles. The attack comes one day before before Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy meets with President Trump in Mar-a-Lago. Elizabeth Palmer has the latest.

Russia launches massive attack on Ukraine ahead of Trump-Zelenskyy meeting

Prime Minister Mark Carney and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met today in Halifax to discuss economic aid amid the Russia-Ukraine war. This comes ahead of Zelenskyy’s plans to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump to discuss a peace deal.

Halifax Regional Municipality

Canada announces $2.5B in aid for Ukraine

President Trump said Thursday's strikes on Nigeria targeting ISIS were set for Wednesday but were delayed to Christmas Day for symbolic reasons. Mr. Trump claimed the Nigerian government is failing to protect Christians.

Washington D.C.

Trump says timing of Christmas Day strikes in Nigeria was intentional

The latest attack comes as presidents Zelenskyy and Trump prepare to meet in Florida on Sunday amid ongoing efforts to end the war.

One dead many injured after Russia launches massive attack on Kyiv

According to the Chinese foreign ministry, the sanctions entail freezing the companies’ assets in China and banning individuals and organisations from accessing them.

Beijing

China sanctions 20 American companies over arms sales to Taiwan

Somalia reacted angrily Friday (December 26) after Israel formally recognised the northern region of Somaliland as an "independent and sovereign state" -- the first country to do so. U.S. President Donald Trump said he opposed U.S. recognition of Somaliland in an interview with the New York Post.

Somaliland

Somalia denounces Israeli recognition of Somaliland

Thailand and Cambodia agreed to an "immediate" ceasefire on Saturday (December 26), the two countries said in a joint statement, pledging to end border clashes that killed dozens of people.

Buri Ram

Thailand and Cambodia agree to ceasefire

Somaliland, a territory of more than 3 million people in the Horn of Africa, seceded from Somalia more than three decades ago, but it hadn't internationally been recognized as an independent state by any country.

Israel becomes first country to recognize Somaliland

Some of the stabbed victims remain in serious condition. A 38-year-old man was arrested for alleged attempted murder at the factory, authorities said.

Mishima

At least 15 injured in chemical attack, stabbing at Japan factory

Israeli President Isaac Herzog said he was shocked by the "horrific killing spree" and pledged Israel would reinforce its security.

Jerusalem

Palestinian man kills two in car, knife attack in northern Israel

Munitions factories are expected to expand capacity and build new plants as the regime in Pyongyang intensifies weapons development and furthers its ties with Russia.

Pyongyang

Kim Jong-un orders North Korea to boost missile production in 2026

The United States launched airstrikes on Islamic State targets in Nigeria's Sokoto State on Thursday. Nigerian authorities denied Trump's claim of mass killings of Christians amid mixed reactions to the U.S. intervention.

Abuja

Nigeria confirms cooperation with U.S. strikes on IS targets

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Friday (December 26) he planned to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump soon and that a lot could be decided before the New Year as Washington pushes diplomatic efforts to end the war with Russia.

Washington

Zelenskiy: 'A lot' can be decided before New Year ahead of Trump talk

The United States carried out airstrikes against ISIS militants in northwest Nigeria at the request of Nigeria's government, U.S. President Donald Trump and the U.S. military said on Thursday, claiming the group had been targeting Christians in the region.

U.S. launches 'deadly' airstrikes in Nigeria targeting ISIS: Trump

Official results show Asfura edged out his main rival Salvador Nasralla by less than one percentage point. Marred by delays and fraud claims, the Honduran election continues Latin America's shift to the right.

Tegucigalpa

Honduras: Trump ally Nasry Asfura wins disputed presidency

Several people were killed in Southern California when severe storms with heavy rain caused mudslides and flooding, which was made worse in areas affected by wildfires in January.

Heavy rain, flooding turns deadly in California

The U.S. Department of Justice says it has found more than a million more documents potentially tied to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, delaying a full release for weeks while officials redact details to protect victims.

DOJ reviews over 1 million newly found Epstein documents

Pope Leo XIV celebrated his first Christmas Mass Wednesday evening where he described the celebration as a feast of "faith, charity and hope". He reminded the faithful that refusing to help the poor and vulnerable is comparable to rejecting God altogether.

Rome

Pope Leo reminds believers to help the poor in first Christmas mass

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signaled progress in a Ukraine-Russia peace plan, after he told journalists about a new draft that would include a free economic zone and demilitarization. Holly Williams has the latest.

Zelenskyy signals progress with Ukraine-Russia peace plan

Democrats and some Republicans are blasting the Justice Department over its handling of the release of files related to Jeffrey Epstein, which included major redactions.

U.S. lawmakers blast DOJ over Epstein files release

Bolsonaro is expected to undergo the procedure on 25 December.

Brasília

Brazil's ex-president Bolsonaro temporarily leaves prison for surgery

Two police officers have been killed in an explosion in Moscow, Russian investigators said on Wednesday. Their deaths come just two days after a car bomb killed a top general in the same area of the Russia capital.

Breakdown