Source: The Daily Telegraph
The AFP and ASIO have been accused of playing “political games” in the lead up to the Bondi terror attack royal commission, with growing fears there will be a greater focus on any failures by NSW Police than those of federal law enforcement.
More than half a dozen NSW police officers are expected to give evidence when public hearings into the deadly attack on December 14 begin, compared to as few as one AFP officer.
An internal review already carried out by former senior AFP officer Neil Gaughan into their actions, which leaked to the media this week, has seemingly seen them clear themselves of failing to pass on any crucial intelligence about Sajid and Naveed Akram, who has been charged with killing 15 people.
That is despite the Akrams previously travelling overseas to two known ISIS hotspots – The Philippines last November, and a visit to Central Asia authorities suspect included an effort to travel to Afghanistan in the years prior.
Concerned that its officers – some of whom were shot at Bondi and returned fire – could be unfairly targeted when the hearings overseen by Commissioner Virginia Bell get under way, Police Association of NSW president Kevin Morton said it was important the hearings took place without a predetermined outcome.
“I am incredibly proud of our response to the December 14 terror attack. Our members work tirelessly 24/7 to keep the people of NSW safe, including instances of terrorism,” Mr Morton said.
“My concerns are that our members will be unfairly targeted given that the Feds seem to be pre-empting outcomes, releasing internal findings prior to the commission even beginning hearings,” he said.
“Given the travel and other evidence, it would seem to me that this responsibility is fair and square with the Feds to report to the states.
“Maybe they should concentrate on learning from this incident rather than playing the political game.
“It seems more important to have a PR war prior to sittings taking place, rather than actually learning from possible findings.”
Relations between NSW Police and the AFP have been deteriorating for many years.
NSW Police sources said they expected to face scrutiny over two key areas – the issuing of the gun licence to Sajid Akram, and their on-the-ground response when the shooting started.
However it is hoped one of the key questions the royal commission into “anti-Semitism and social cohesion” will answer is whether the terror attack could have been stopped.
A counter-terror expert spoken to by The Sunday Telegraph said the travels of any Australian to the two known ISIS hotspots within a few years should have raised red flags.
“It’s not too much to ask at all … it should have been picked up,” he said.
It remains unclear what the role of the nation’s spy agency ASIO, who had encounters with Naveed Akram when he was a teenager preaching about Islam on the streets of Sydney’s west, will be at the royal commission.