Both the Coalition and the Greens are calling on the Albanese government to ensure it is not hamstringing the royal commission probing last year’s Bondi terror attack amid reports an ex-intelligence source with knowledge of the gunmen was denied a visa letting him give evidence in person.The source, known only as Marcus, claims he flagged the Bondi suspects with the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) six years before the massacre in December, according the ABC.It reported that Marcus, who has been living abroad since ASIO withdrew support for his permanent residency in 2023, gave immigration authorities a letter from the Royal Commission into Anti-semitism and Social Cohesion stating it wanted to take his evidence when he applied for a visa.“We remain eager to facilitate a practical way of receiving your client’s proposed submission or taking a statement from him,” the letter read, as cited by the national broadcaster.However, his visa was denied because the Department of Home Affairs was “not satisfied the applicant has a genuine intention to stay temporarily in Australia”.Opposition home affairs spokesman Jonathon Duniam said on Thursday the Albanese government should ensure the royal commission had “unfettered access in appropriate circumstances”.“There may be a way around this,” he told ABC’s Radio National, suggesting he “may be able to remotely provide that evidence”.“But indeed, if the government are serious about ensuring the commission get the right outcome and has access to all the information it needs, then it should explain why it won’t grant a visa or indeed find ways to grant one.”Senator Duniam said Home Affairs did need to be “vigilant” about people entering the country under false pretences, but “if it is necessary for him to come to Australia and risks can be managed around attempts to remain here permanently, then those efforts should be made”.Greens senator David Shoebridge said it was “an appalling story”.“The reason that they’ve refused the visa is they’re worried he’s going to make a protection claim,” he told Sky News.“They’re not worried about him being a security risk – they’re worried that he might actually need the protection of Australia once he comes and gives his evidence.”He went on to suggest those who blocked Marcus’s visa benefited from him “not giving evidence”.“ASIO and Home Affairs – all responsible to (Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke), and Minister Burke’s delegate refused the visa,” Senator Shoebridge said.“Minister Burke should intervene and he should make the visa happen.”NewsWire asked the royal commission if it could take Marcus’s evidence remotely.It said it was “using a range of mechanisms to inform its work … including written submissions, hearings, information obtained through notices, research and community engagements”.It would not “comment on its engagement with particular individuals, including whether they will potentially give evidence to the commission”.Many have questioned how Bondi suspects Sajid and Naveed Akram kept under the radar of counter-terror watchers.Sajid Akram, who was killed in the police response, had amassed six firearms since acquiring his gun licence in 2013.Six years later, intelligence officers looked into his son, Naveed, for consorting with members of an ISIS cell in Sydney.He fell off their radar despite frequenting an Islamic centre in Sydney’s west infamous for extremist preachings.ASIO has rejected Marcus’s claim he warned it about the Akrams, dismissing him as “unreliable and disgruntled”.Intelligence officers recruited him from his home in the Middle East and tasked him with infiltrating ISIS networks in Sydney After several years, his cover was blown and he sought legal protection out of fear of the extremists he had spied on.Several parliamentarians, including crossbenchers Allegra Spender and David Pocock, have voiced support for him.Read related topics:Adam Bandt