Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced a royal commission, the country’s most powerful form of independent inquiry, into last month’s Bondi Beach shooting.
The attack targeting a Jewish festival left 15 people dead, making it one of the deadliest in the country’s history.
Albanese has previously argued that reforms on gun ownership and hate speech, measures to tackle antisemitism and a review of intelligence and law enforcement agencies offer the quickest response.
But after weeks of public pressure, he said on Thursday that a royal commission was the best way forward after he took “time to reflect” and met with the Jewish community.
“I have repeatedly said that the priority of our government is to promote unity and social cohesion, and this is what Australia needs to fix, to understand, to come together in the spirit of national unity,” he told reporters in Canberra. “It is clear to me that a royal commission is essential to achieve this.”
Since the attack on December 14, the families of the victims, as well as a chorus of public figures, including lawyers, businessmen and athletes have led an almost daily campaign calling on him to reverse course and launch a royal commission.
A royal commission has broad investigative powers, the ability to summon witnesses and compel agencies to produce documents. It can also offer legal protections to whistleblowers.
The commission will examine four key areas, Albanese said. They consist of:
- which investigates the “nature and prevalence of antisemitism” and its “key drivers” in Australia
- make recommendations to enforcement, border immigration and security agencies to address antisemitism
- examining the circumstances surrounding the Bondi attack
- make any recommendations for strengthening social cohesion and countering the spread of ideological and religiously motivated extremism
The prime minister said the work of Dennis Richardson, the former spy chief who led the review of intelligence and law enforcement agencies, would be wrapped up in the royal commission, with an interim report expected in April.
Former High Court judge Virginia Bell has been appointed to head the commission, Albanese said, adding that he has asked her to report by December 2026 and that “this is not a drawnout process.” Previous royal commissions spanned many years.
“This royal commission is the right format, the right duration and the right terms of reference to give the right result for our national unity and our national security,” said Albanese.
Rumors that Bell would be appointed earlier drew criticism from the Jewish community.
Former treasurer Josh Frydenberg said before Albanese’s announcement that the prime minister had been told by Jewish leaders there were “serious concerns” about his appointment, without specifying what they were.
Speaking alongside Albanese, Attorney General Michelle Rowland said Bell “is a distinguished and capable former Justice of the High Court of Australia, and I have no doubt that he will examine the complex issues ahead with impartiality and precision”.
In the days after the attack, state and federal leaders agreed to tighten gun controls, including limits on the number of firearms any individual can possess and on the types of firearms that can be possessed, as well as a buyback policy.
Albanese also promised hate speech reform including penalties for preachers and leaders who promote violence and a new federal offense of “aggravated hate speech”.
He previously said his government would adopt the recommendations put forward by antisemitism commissioner Jillian Segal in a July report.
His report was criticized by some upon its release because of its implications for freedom of speech, such as plans to monitor universities and arts organizations and withhold funding if they are deemed to have failed to act against antisemitism.
Speaking with the prime minister on Thursday, Segal said the government’s decision was “correct and important”.
“This shows the seriousness of the growth of antisemitism and its impact on our country and our democracy,” he said.