Government appoints full-time counter-terrorism coordinator

The federal government has officially accepted all public recommendations relevant to the Commonwealth in the Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion’s interim report, announcing immediate implementation of several key measures.

The government’s response was tabled in parliament on Tuesday, five months after the December 14, 2025 Bondi Beach terrorist attack that killed 15 people.

“The attack at Bondi was an antisemitic terrorist attack on people practicing their faith and sharing their traditions. It was an attack on Australia,” Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke and Attorney-General Michelle Rowland wrote in the foreword of their report.

The government has immediately appointed Brendan Dowling as Australia’s first dedicated, full-time Counter-Terrorism Coordinator, implementing the Royal Commission’s second recommendation.

Dowling, who has more than 20 years’ experience in national security roles, will provide national leadership and coordination on counter-terrorism matters, working across federal, state and territory agencies.