Bondi Beach terror attack: 11 shot in 29 seconds, royal commission hears

Eleven people were shot within 29 seconds of the Bondi Beach terror attack starting, a royal commission into the massacre has heard.

The Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion has entered a critical phase, assessing the circumstances surrounding the terror attack at Bondi Beach on December 14, 2025.

Fifteen people were killed in the attack.

A number of intelligence and law enforcement figures have been called to give evidence, including ASIO director-general Mike Burgess and AFP assistant commissioner Stephen Nutt.

A "substantial" number of hearings will be shut to the public over the next three weeks.

In his opening address, counsel assisting Richard Lancaster SC said there was no evidence to suggest law enforcement and intelligence agencies had any information to suggest an armed attack was to occur at the Chanukah by the Sea event that was targeted.

He said the shooting could therefore be described as a "surprise attack".

Mr Lancaster said within 29 seconds of gunmen Naveed Akram and Sajid Akram beginning the attack, 11 people were shot, 10 fatally.

He said four NSW Police officers were at the scene when the shooting began, with that growing to 11 within five minutes.

He said three police officers were shot and injured in the attack, and the two gunmen were shot within seven minutes of the incident starting.

Spy boss defends terrorism resourcing

In August 2024, the Australian government raised the national terrorism threat level from 'possible' to 'probable'.

Royal commissioner Virginia Bell has identified ASIO's response to the national threat level, and its resourcing of counter-terrorism, as key questions for the inquiry.

Commissioner Bell's interim report found the share of counter-terrorism funding "significantly declined" across Australia's intelligence agencies from 2020 to 2025.

During this time, ASIO's priorities shifted from addressing terrorism threats to tackling espionage and foreign interference.

But Mr Burgess maintained counter-terrorism resources were adequately funded and staffed throughout this time.

"At the same time, every rock we lifted up, we found espionage or foreign interference that need to be inquired and investigated," he told the commission.

"And so resources were moved over there. Of course, again, I reiterate that at no time do I believe we had any serious inquiries that was left uninquired or investigated.

"So yes, we were pivoting resources across because that's where the leads took us and where we were required to put effort."

'We can't be everywhere'

Mr Burgess was not asked any questions about the nature of intelligence ASIO had about the two men prior to the Bondi attack.

But he said it was difficult to gather information about people who did not express their extremist views in person or online.

"We can't be everywhere all at once," he said.

"We're not all seeing and all-knowing and we don't aspire to be."

The commission heard Mr Burgess will be recalled to give further evidence at closed hearings.

The hearing continues with Australian Federal Police Assistant Commissioner Stephen Nutt, Leanne McCusker from NSW Police, and two representatives from Jewish security group CSG scheduled to appear on Monday.