Former boss of Australia’s peak spy agency Dennis Richardson has resigned from the Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion, set up by the government in the wake of the Bondi Beach terror attack. 

In a statement, Commissioner Virginia Bell said Mr Richardson would leave his posting as special advisor to the commission, and thanked him for his work.

“Mr Richardson was uniquely well placed to advise on the material to be sought from our intelligence and security agencies in order to assess the effectiveness of their preparedness for, and response to, a terrorist attack,” she said. 

“I am grateful to Mr Richardson for the valuable contribution he has made.” 

She did not provide a reason for his resignation, and Mr Richardson has not made a statement nor responded to a request for comment. 

Two senior members of Mr Richardson’s team will remain working for the commission until the interim report, due at the end of April, is complete. 

Richardson report sidelined in favour of royal commission

Mr Richardson was originally tapped by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in the weeks after the terror attack to lead a review into the federal government’s intelligence and security agencies. 

He was tasked with investigating whether key agencies, including ASIO and the Australian Federal Police, had done everything possible to prevent the attack, and also to understand what they knew about the alleged gunman. 

Although it did not have the sweeping powers of a royal commission, the government said the review would have the “full cooperation” of government agencies. 

The prime minister raised the Richardson review as a faster, more focused alternative to a royal commission that would get urgent answers to Australians. 

But after weeks of pressure, Mr Albanese announced it would be folded into a broader royal commission, and that Mr Richardson would act as an advisor.

In a statement, Attorney-General Michelle Rowland thanked Mr Richardson for his efforts and said the royal commission would continue its “important work.” 

“The royal commission, which is independent of government, will provide further updates in due course,” she said. 

Mr Richardson is one of Australia’s most respected public servants, previously leading ASIO, the Defence Department, the Department of Foreign Affairs and serving as Australia’s ambassador to Washington.