SYDNEY, December 20, 2023 — Australia’s federal government is facing mounting criticism over the scope of an inquiry into the security response to the Bondi Beach stabbing attack, with concerns it deliberately avoids addressing the role of antisemitism in the tragedy. The debate centers on whether a broader royal commission is needed to fully understand the factors that contributed to the incident.
Review Focuses on Agencies, Not Root Causes
Table of Contents
The inquiry’s limited terms of reference have sparked accusations of a deliberate attempt to sidestep difficult questions about rising antisemitism in Australia.
- A review led by former ASIO chief Dennis Richardson will examine the effectiveness of security agencies.
- Critics argue the review’s focus is too narrow, excluding an examination of antisemitism and its potential role.
- Jewish organizations are calling for a broader royal commission to address the underlying causes of the attack.
- The government defends the review, stating it will be “far-reaching” and deliver practical responses quickly.
“Is the prime minister hiding behind a smoke screen? Is he using national security as a political shield? Australians deserve straight answers. Does this advice exist? What is the prime minister hiding,” Shadow Home Affairs Minister Karen Andrews said, questioning the government’s transparency.
What is the scope of the Richardson review?
The Richardson review, announced in response to the December 14 attack at Bondi Junction, will assess whether the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) and the Australian Federal Police (AFP) adequately responded to the threat. It will examine what information relevant agencies possessed about the alleged offender before the attack, the quality of information sharing between agencies—both federal and state—and the judgements made and actions taken. The review is expected to report in April.
However, the terms of reference explicitly exclude any consideration of antisemitism or violent extremism, a point of contention for many within the Jewish community. Peter Wertheim, co-head of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, stated the review was “too narrowly focused” on intelligence and law enforcement, omitting the “wider context in which those agencies operate.”
“To get to the heart of the matter there needs to be an honest examination of government policies and the conduct and policies of key institutions and figures in major sectors of our society. Their contribution to the unprecedented levels of antisemitism in this country over the last two years must be addressed,” Wertheim argued, advocating for a royal commission as the only way to comprehensively address the issues. “What might emerge could indeed be divisive and ugly but the divisiveness and ugliness is already there. Confronting these demons will be cathartic. It’s our only hope of establishing a new national consensus and setting clear standards.”
Jeremy Leibler, president of the Zionist Federation of Australia, echoed these concerns, calling the omission of antisemitism from the review’s terms of reference “indefensible.” He argued that the review’s limited scope meant it would not address the “underlying root causes of the problems of antisemitism.”
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese defended the review, stating on Monday that “the whole framework is about that.” He explained that the review would provide a “comprehensive examination of what occurred,” identifying any gaps in the response and ensuring a coordinated effort between the Commonwealth and New South Wales authorities. “It will look at…reporting in months, not years ahead, acting with unity and urgency, not division and delay,” Albanese said.
Industry Minister Tim Ayres further defended the government’s approach on Wednesday, asserting that the Richardson report would be “more far-reaching” than a royal commission, which he characterized as “a symbolic approach about division and delay, rather than an approach that is about getting practical responses right now.” He emphasized the report’s expected timeline, stating it would deliver a “broad and effective and pragmatic assessment” within a few months.
The call for a royal commission is gaining momentum, with an open letter signed on December 16 by Jewish organizations including the Australian Union of Jewish Students and the Rabbinical Council of Australia. This followed similar letters from 17 victim’s families and 210 senior members of the Australian bar.
Bondi Beach incident helplines:
- Bondi Beach Victim Services on 1800 411 822
- Bondi Beach Public Information & Enquiry Centre on 1800 227 228
- NSW Mental Health Line on 1800 011 511 or Lifeline on 13 11 14
- Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800 or chat online at kidshelpline.com.au
Please share your thoughts on this important issue in the comments below.
