Former ASIO chief Dennis Richardson resigned from his special adviser role in the Royal Commission into Antisemitism and Social Cohesion on Thursday morning local time. Richardson walked away from a daily salary of 5,000 to 5,500 AUD.
The departure comes as the commission approaches an April 30, 2026, deadline for its interim report. Richardson stated he quit because his scope of work was altered, reducing him to what he called a “highly paid researcher.”
Bureaucratic Restructuring and Resignation
Royal Commissioner Virginia Bell confirmed the resignation late Wednesday night. In media interviews on Thursday morning, Richardson explicitly stated he was “way overpaid” for the work he was actually doing. He noted he felt “surplus to requirements” after his original independent mandate was absorbed by the broader commission.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese originally appointed Richardson on December 29, 2025. This initial assignment was a narrow review of intelligence and law enforcement agencies following the December 14, 2025, Bondi Beach terror attack that resulted in 15 deaths and 40 injuries.
Intelligence Access Issues
In January 2026, the government launched the full-scale royal commission led by Bell. Richardson’s standalone probe was legally folded into Bell’s inquiry. This merger removed his independent authority within the intelligence industry review process.
Dennis Richardson leaving the Royal Commission has raised eyebrows and raised more questions about the commission and it's scope. @michellegrattan @UniCanberra https://t.co/LO36v92m8h
— The Conversation – Australia + New Zealand (@ConversationEDU) March 12, 2026
Bell warned the government Wednesday that rules blocking access to sensitive secret information were impeding the preparation of the interim report. Richardson claimed this legislative friction was not the reason for his departure.
The commission remains scheduled to deliver its interim report on April 30, 2026.