Premier didn’t tell of terrorist’s bail status

PREMIER Daniel Andrews was aware the Bourke St terrorist was on bail the day after the attack but he did not reveal that to the public until media reports surfaced a week later.

Victoria Police chief commissioner Graham Ashton revealed police were aware “there was the possibility” Hassan Khalif Shire Ali was on bail the night of the attack, but he dodged the question when asked directly by a journalist hours after the incident.

“There was the possibility he was on bail because we think we had a court date but it was all pretty sketchy information,’’ Mr Ashton said.

But he said his main focus then was to investigate if Shire Ali had any accomplices who were planning to launch a further attack.

Mr Ashton said he told the Premier Shire Ali was on bail the Saturday morning after the attack. But the Government did not reveal Shire Ali’s bail status until after it was re- vealed in media reports six days later.

Mr Andrews said Shire Ali’s bail status was a Victoria Police operational matter.

“It is not my right, nor my responsibility, nor would it be appropriate if I was the person who was out briefing people on those deeply operational matters, that can be very sensitive and could even put people’s lives at risk,’’ Mr Andrews said.

“That is the job of Victoria Police.”

Mr Andrews said both federal and state agencies would review the Bourke St terror attack and make any necessary changes.

“Out of every tragedy like this there would always be some learnings, there will always be an area where we can see that we need to do better.”

Opposition Leader Matthew Guy said it was “fair to say” Victoria Police had not told him that Shire Ali was on bail during a briefing on the weekend after the Bourke St attack.

He said Mr Andrews had called him after the attack and promised “all information would be made available” to the Opposition.

“We are in caretaker. Information provided to the government needs to be provided to the Opposition,” Mr Guy said.

“The Premier had one week to tell Victorians ... he said nothing.”

It was revealed on Friday that Victoria Police had extended Shire Ali’s bail for driving offences about four weeks before the attack, despite his failure to appear in court mul- tiple times, and warrants had been issued for his arrest.

Mr Ashton said he “absolutely” backed the officer who bailed Shire Ali.

He said even if Shire Ali was flagged as a person of interest to security agencies, it would not have affected whether he got bail. “Being a person of interest is not a criminal offence,” Mr Ashton said.

Restaurateur Sisto Malaspina, 74, was killed and two other men were wounded in the November 9 terror attack on Bourke St.