Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announces Royal Commission into antisemitism after Bondi terror attack

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has bowed to weeks of intense pressure and announced a royal commission will look into the events leading up to the Bondi terror attack, Australia’s deadliest mass shooting in decades.

The PM revealed details of the inquiry at a press conference in Canberra on Thursday afternoon, with former High Court justice Virginia Bell to lead it.

He said he had listened to ongoing calls for a royal commission in the wake of the Bondi terror attack which claimed 15 lives, and wants recommendations delivered by the anniversary of the December 14 massacre.

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Albanese said “it’s clear to me that a royal commission is essential” if Australia is to “heal, to learn, to come together in a spirit of national unity”.

“Today I announce that I will be recommending to the governor general ... that a royal commission on antisemitism and social cohesion be established,” he said.

“This was endorsed by a meeting of the federal cabinet today.”

The commission will cover four key areas in its terms of reference:

Tackling antisemitism by investigating the nature and prevalence of antisemitism.Making recommendations to assist law enforcement, border control, immigration and security agencies to tackle antisemitism.Examine the circumstances surrounding the Bondi terror attack on December 14.Make any other recommendations for strengthening social cohesion in Australia and countering the spread of ideological and religiously-motivated extremism in Australia.

“This won’t be a drawn out process,” Albanese said.

“Our government will ask commissioner Bell to report (on recommendations) before the 14th of December 2026.

“Importantly we’ll be asking commissioner Bell to ensure this inquiry does not prejudice any future criminal proceeding — this is vital.”

Dennis Richardson’s independent review into Australia’s federal law enforcement and intelligence agencies will become part of the commission, with delivery of an interim report by the commission set for April.

All states and territories will be asked to join the commission.

NSW Premier Chris Minns said his state will “fully cooperate”, and announced the NSW royal commission was cancelled, given there is now a federal inquiry.

Australia’s Special Envoy to Combat Anti-Semitism Jillian Segal said “Bondi did not occur in isolation” and there were warning signs that must be examined.

“Australians expect truth about what happened at Bondi and the root causes. They expect sustained action to address the conditions that allowed such hatred that take root.”

Albanese said the commission would reinforce action the government was already taking, including new laws to criminalise hate speech and tougher gun laws.

“The royal commission is not ‘instead of’ practical action, it is ‘as well as that’,” he said.

Bell previously led an inquiry into former prime minister Scott Morrison and his multiple ministries scandal and also worked on the Wood Royal Commission in the 1990s which looked into police corruption in NSW.

There is opposition to her as commissioner from some within the Jewish community because of her past rulings which have helped overturn anti-protest laws.

“We’re confident that commissioner Bell has the deep experience and expertise to conduct her inquiry in such a way that meaningfully examines the impact of antisemitism on the daily life of Jewish Australians and works to promote social cohesion and to do this without providing a platform for others to push antisemitic hatred.”

The Executive Council of Australian Jewry (ECAJ) said the government “has made the right decision” by establishing a commission.

“We welcome the Prime Minister’s announcement and expect that the terms of reference ... will allow an honest examination of government policies and the conduct and policies of key institutions and figures in major sectors of our society in contributing or failing to adequately respond to the unprecedented levels of antisemitism in Australia over the past two years or more,” ECAJ president Daniel Aghion said.

“This is the only way that Australia’s time-honoured standards of decency and fairness can be upheld.

“The ECAJ will co-operate fully with (Bell) and will make every effort to ensure that the full force of the community’s views and experiences of antisemitism in various sectors of society are brought to the forefront of the inquiry.”

The mass shooting at the Chanukah by the Sea event was Australia’s deadliest since Port Arthur in 1996.

Albanese had been firm on the fact that he would not hold a Royal Commission into the terror attack however he has faced mounting pressure from business, political and security leaders to U-turn.

This included an open letter from 21 former Labor politicians and officials demanding federal action.

The mass shooting at Bondi, allegedly carried out by Sajid Akram, 50, and his son Naveed Akram, 24, left 15 people dead and dozens more injured.

Sajid was killed by police during the attack while Naveed has been charged with 59 offences including murder and attempted murder.

He is expected to appear before court on April 8.

स्रोत: 7news Com Au