Inquiry hears support for arming security guards at Jewish events in Sydney

A royal commission examining antisemitism and social cohesion has heard arguments in favour of arming private security guards at open-air Jewish events. The hearing took place in Sydney after the commission sat in Melbourne, where Australia's largest Jewish population is based. The discussion focused on how Jewish institutions, schools, places of worship and public gatherings can be protected more effectively.

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Risk consultant Gavriel Schneider told the commission on Monday that the private security sector could provide a valuable alternative or support to existing policing resources. He said armed private security officers could be used to respond immediately to violent incidents before emergency services arrive. His comments were made in the context of security arrangements at Jewish community events, including open-air celebrations.

The commission has already heard evidence about the possibility of arming the Community Security Group NSW to strengthen protection and help the community feel safer after the Bondi Beach terror attack. Community Security Group NSW provides volunteer support and security services at Jewish events and institutions across the state. It also had an unarmed presence at the Hanukkah event that was targeted in December's attack.

Commissioner Virginia Bell pressed Dr Schneider on the idea, saying Australians were broadly averse to a visibly armed security presence at community events. She said the notion that a community becomes safer by arming more people may not enjoy broad support in the Australian context. Dr Schneider acknowledged those concerns, but maintained that the private sector could still play a useful role in immediate response.

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The hearing comes amid a wider review of how Jewish Australians are protected at public events and at places of worship. The commission has spent the past week hearing from witnesses about security arrangements at Jewish institutions and community gatherings. That evidence is likely to shape debate over whether existing policing and volunteer security arrangements are sufficient.

What remains unclear is whether the commission will recommend any change to current rules on armed private security at Jewish events. It is also not known whether any proposal would apply only to open-air gatherings or more broadly to other community settings. The commission's findings are expected to influence future security planning, but the timing and scope of any changes have not yet been set.

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