Hearing Block 2, Sydney

Hearing Block 2 will examine the circumstances surrounding the attack at Bondi on 14 December 2025. In particular, the matters identified in the Royal Commission’s Interim Report as warranting further examination will be explored.

Hearing Block 2 will focus on:

• The terrorism threat level and security environment in the lead up to the attack. 
• The conduct of security, intelligence and law enforcement agencies relevant to the attack, including what was known about the shooters and what was done with that information. 
• The security arrangements for the Chanukah by the Sea event. 
• How intelligence about individuals known to authorities is utilised and shared to inform decisions made by security, intelligence and law enforcement agencies, including, for example, decisions about whether and how individuals are monitored and decisions in respect of firearms licence applications. 
• Resourcing for counter-terrorism, and the effectiveness of current powers, systems and processes of security, intelligence and law enforcement agencies. 

Where the sensitivity of the evidence requires it, aspects of the hearings in this block will be closed to the public to avoid prejudice to national security and/or the ongoing criminal proceedings relating to the attack. 

Members of the public can view the livestream of the public hearings on the Royal Commission’s website. There will also be limited public seating at the venue. Details will be available on the Royal Commission’s website shortly. Closed hearings will not be livestreamed or able to be attended.

The Royal Commission invites persons who consider they have a direct and substantial interest in the scope of this hearing block to make an application for leave to appear by no later than 4:00pm (AEDT) on Friday 15 May 2026.