Senior leaders of the Australian Federal Police were warned last year of critical staff shortages affecting counter-terrorism efforts, as detailed in a confidential May 2024 report. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed that Naveed Akram, one of the Bondi attackers, had been known to authorities since 2019 without indications of a threat. The AFP is grappling with a significant backlog of cases and staffing vacancies, with officers monitoring up to 30 suspects each, contributing to stress and mental health issues. Despite concerns, staffing levels have not improved, even after recent terror-related incidents.
