Former ASIO boss Dennis Richardson quits role as special adviser to Bondi royal commission

Former spy chief Dennis Richardson has left his post as Special Adviser to the Royal Commission on Anti-Semitism and Social Cohesion.

ASIO’s former chief executive and Defense Secretary has been appointed to review intelligence and law enforcement powers ahead of the deadly Bondi terror attack on December 14.

In a brief statement on Wednesday night, Royal Commissioner Victoria Bell announced that Mr Richardson had resigned.

“As I noted at the commission’s first hearing, Mr. Richardson was in a unique position to advise on materials to be requested from our intelligence and security agencies to assess their effectiveness in preparing for and responding to a terrorist attack,” he said.

The former Supreme Court judge thanked Mr Richardson and members of his team – former Commonwealth Counter-Terrorism Coordinator and ASIO Deputy Director-General Tony Sheehan and former Under-Secretary of Defense and Director-General of AusAID Peter Baxter – for their work on the Interim Report, which he described as “hugely improved”.

“Mr Sheehan and Mr Baxter will remain with the Commission to support the preparation of the Interim Report, which I am confident will be delivered in accordance with the Letters Patent,” Ms Bell continued.

“I am grateful to Mr. Richardson for his valuable contributions to the Commission.”