Barrett: security environment for Jews ‘very volatile’

AFP Commissioner Krissy Barrett has declined to say Jews are safer in Australia than before the Bondi terror attack, describing the security environment as very volatile and expecting it to remain complex into 2027 and beyond.

In a wide-ranging interview last week with The Australian, Barrett – who began her five-year term in October 2025, just two months before the attack in which 15 were killed – was asked whether Jews were safer than when the attack was committed on December 14.

Barrett did not answer directly, instead pointing to measures the AFP was taking to protect the community, including expanding National Security Investigations Teams to identify and arrest offenders before violence occurs, and increasing engagement with Jewish community leaders.

Pressed on whether the environment remained volatile, she told the paper: “It is very volatile, and that’s the truth of it. We have seen a rise in antisemitism.

“Looking forward to 2027 and beyond, I think we are anticipating that the environment will continue to be complex.”