Former intelligence chief Dennis Richardson has explained his abrupt departure from the Royal Commission into the Bondi Beach terror attack, saying the decision to merge his initial security review into the Commission left him “surplus to requirements.”
Richardson, a former director-general of the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) and senior diplomat, resigned just weeks after the inquiry began.
His exit was announced on March 11 by Commissioner Virginia Bell, who is overseeing the Royal Commission on Anti-Semitism and Social Cohesion.
The Royal Commission was established after a month of pressure on Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to examine the Dec. 14 Bondi terrorist mass shooting that saw a father and son open fire on a Hanukkah celebration, killing 15 people and injuring 40.
Richardson’s independent review was initially announced by Albanese to examine how the country’s intelligence apparatus handled the issue of violent extremism.
However, when Albanese later announced a broader Royal Commission, Richardson’s review was merged into the larger inquiry.
According to the former spy chief, that change significantly altered his responsibilities and left him without a clear role—or utility—in the process.
Overpaid for His Contribution
Richardson said he was overpaid for the level of his contribution.“Quite frankly, what I was being paid wasn’t consistent with the work I was doing,” he said.
“I was being paid very well, so the question about payment really goes to the fact that, quite frankly, I was being well overpaid for what I was effectively doing.”
ABC later quoted him saying he was effectively being paid “$5,500 a day to be a research officer.”
Despite his decision, Richardson said the public should have confidence in the Royal Commission’s work.
“Virginia Bell is one of the finest jurists and she has a very fine legal team, and she has very fine people assisting her,” he added.
Political Reaction
In response, Labor Treasurer Jim Chalmers said he regretted the development but had not spoken directly with Richardson about the decision.“He is a person of such immense experience and knowledge, and hopefully we’ve been able to tap some of that before this development,” Chalmers told the ABC.
Commissioner Bell said Richardson’s expertise had been valuable to the investigation and acknowledged the work already completed.
Shadow Attorney-General Michaelia Cash said Richardson’s departure raised serious questions about how the inquiry would examine intelligence and security responses.
“The Jewish community fought for the Bondi Royal Commission to uncover the truth about how anti-Semitic hatred led to the Bondi massacre. Now Denis Richardson—the most experienced national security figure in the country—has resigned,” she said in a social media post.
Opposition Leader Angus Taylor also called on the government to explain the circumstances surrounding Richardson’s departure.
“We need this royal commission to succeed, to explain to Australians what brought this about, how it happened, and most importantly, how we ensure it never happens again,” Taylor told The Guardian.
