More funding to root out and stop would-be terrorists could be in next week’s federal budget after the investigation into last year’s Bondi terror attack revealed security agencies have “significantly” reduced their counter-terror budgets since 2020.
The Royal Commission on Anti-Semitism and Social Cohesion’s interim report found funding for National Intelligence Community (NIC) agencies grew from $10.9bn in 2020-21 to $14.3bn in 2024-25, marking an overall increase of 31 per cent.
But in reviewing “classified material”, royal commissioner Virginia Bell “observed that despite this overall increase, the proportion of funding allocated to counter-terrorism significantly declined across the NIC over the period from 2020 to 2025”.
It also noted statements from ASIO chief Mike Burgess that his agency was putting greater focus on blocking foreign espionage.
Assistant Treasurer Daniel Mulino on Sunday praised the “really high quality and thorough interim report” and reiterated the Albanese government’s pledge to implement all recommendations that applied to the commonwealth.
“There are … going to be, and rightfully so, investigations of particular programs and initiatives,” Mr Mulino told Sky’s Sunday Agenda.
“But my understanding is that the funding of those organisations has increased.
“And I think it’s also important to note that in the interim report, the Royal Commission found that there were no material gaps in regulatory or legislative arrangements.”
Asked point blank if there would be more money for counter-terror efforts in the budget, he refused to “get into again a specific program” but said “the fact that the government has responded so quickly and accepted all of the recommendations is key”.
“I’ll leave the details of specific implementation of those recommendations to portfolio ministers and the Prime Minister,” Mr Mulino said.
Five of the interim report’s 14 recommendations were redacted for national security reasons, making it hard to ascertain if opposition claims that Labor is to blame for the funding shift is true.
NewsWire understands agencies typically decide where to prioritise funding and can request additional funds to meet their needs.
However, the government of the day can direct agencies on where to prioritise resources.
Australia has been under a probably terror threat level since August 2024.
But the report indicates the National Security Committee – the peak ministerial decision-making body – did not push for a stronger counter-terror focus.
Fifteen innocent people were killed while dozens of others were injured after Naveed Akram and his father, Sajid, allegedly opened fire at the Chanukah By The Sea event on December 14 last year.
Akram has yet to enter pleas to 59 charges, including 40 counts of attempted murder. His father was shot dead by police.
The first public hearings of the royal commission begin in Sydney on Monday.
