The Australian Federal Police's (AFP) counter-terrorism efforts took a hit when a specialized unit was quietly disbanded just weeks before the Bondi massacre. This unit, known as the 'national surveillance team', was established to combat high-risk terrorist offenders under the Commonwealth regime. However, due to funding shortfalls, the team was disbanded, leaving a void in the AFP's counter-terrorism capabilities.
The decision to dissolve the team was made late last year, with a senior AFP figure citing budget pressures and funding uncertainty as the main reasons. The team members were informed that their positions would be returned to the AFP's Counter Terrorism and Special Investigations Command. While funding for eight positions was confirmed for the 2025-26 financial year, it fell short of the required 10 members, according to AFP best practices.
This move has sparked controversy, with some questioning whether the funding could have been better utilized to monitor potential threats in Sydney. The former senior officer's statement, 'I think the AFP’s CTSI Command decided the budget for that surveillance team had more benefit being poured into the investigative part, so they’ve decided to disband it and send the people back to ACT Policing,' highlights the debate surrounding resource allocation.
Despite the disbandment, the AFP Commissioner, Krissy Barrett, acknowledged the increasing complexity of the environment and the need for constant re-prioritization. However, she also emphasized the importance of having the necessary resources to combat terrorism effectively. The government's response to the Bondi massacre has been scrutinized, with calls for a Royal Commission into the anti-Semitic shootings, particularly regarding the handling of hate preachers and extremist organizations.
