Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is poised to reverse his position and announce a federal royal commission into the devastating Bondi beach terror attack and the broader issue of antisemitism in the country.
Pressure Mounts for National Inquiry
Multiple sources indicate an official announcement is expected around 4:30pm on Thursday in Canberra, marking a significant shift in the government's stance. For weeks, Albanese and his cabinet had resisted calls for a wide-ranging Commonwealth inquiry, arguing such processes were too lengthy and could provide a platform for hate.
However, the Prime Minister has faced mounting pressure from a coalition of voices. This includes emotional pleas from the families of most of the Bondi victims, who issued an open letter demanding action. They were joined by Jewish community groups, business leaders, sporting identities, security experts, and a group of former Labor MPs. The federal Coalition opposition has also strongly backed the calls for a probe.
Scope and Leadership of the Commission
The anticipated royal commission will investigate the terror attack itself and the rising threat of antisemitism in Australia. It is also expected to examine related questions concerning intelligence gathering, law enforcement protocols, and firearms laws.
The esteemed former High Court justice Virginia Bell is tipped to lead the inquiry. Justice Bell brings a formidable reputation, having served on the High Court from 2009 to 2021. She was also appointed by Albanese's government in 2022 to investigate former PM Scott Morrison's secret ministerial appointments and served as counsel to the NSW Wood royal commission into police in the 1990s.
Background of the Bondi Tragedy
The shooting, which occurred at a Hanukkah event in Bondi, Sydney, resulted in the deaths of 15 people. The attack was allegedly carried out by a father and son inspired by the Islamic State (ISIS).
One of the alleged shooters, Naveed Akram, had been investigated by the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) in October 2019 over alleged links to individuals in a reported ISIS cell. He has since been charged with 15 counts of murder among dozens of offences. Notably, his father was later approved for a gun licence, raising serious questions about firearms regulations.
Previously, Albanese had advocated for a faster, narrower review led by former ASIO chief Dennis Richardson, focusing solely on intelligence and law enforcement. This approach was criticised by figures like former Liberal treasurer Josh Frydenberg, who labelled it insufficient. The Prime Minister had also suggested that the federal government would cooperate with any state-level inquiry launched by the New South Wales government.
The impending announcement of a federal royal commission signifies a major capitulation to sustained public and political demand for a comprehensive, national examination of the events and issues surrounding one of Australia's worst terror attacks in recent years.
