Albanese Under Pressure as Calls Mount for Royal Commission into Bondi Shooting
Australia’s Prime Minister faces a deepening political crisis in the wake of the Bondi Junction shopping centre attack, as demands for a federal royal commission intensify.
Nine days after the tragic event – the worst terrorist attack on Australian soil in years – Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is firmly resisting calls for a national inquiry, citing precedents set by previous administrations. “There was no royal commission called by the Howard government after Port Arthur,” Albanese stated to the media on Tuesday from Parliament House. “There was no royal commission called by the Abbott government after the Lindt siege. We provided on both those occasions as the opposition… we provided support for national unity at that time.”
The Prime Minister emphasized that New South Wales will conduct its own state-based royal commission, with his government’s full cooperation. Furthermore, a review led by Dennis Richardson into federal intelligence and law enforcement agencies is expected to be completed by April. Watch: ‘No royal commission after Port Arthur’: PM stands firm against Bondi shooting commission – video
However, this stance is proving increasingly untenable. Labor, after enjoying a period of strong public support throughout much of 2025, is now facing mounting pressure. Recent polling data indicates Albanese’s popularity has fallen to its lowest point since the May election, and he was notably booed at a commemoration vigil held on Sunday.
Growing Criticism from Across the Political Spectrum
Albanese’s decision has drawn sharp criticism from prominent figures, including former treasurer Josh Frydenberg and a broad range of media commentators, as well as the political opposition. Even Robert French, the former high court chief justice, has voiced concerns, arguing that a review of intelligence and policing arrangements is insufficient and a more powerful probe is needed. A letter signed by leading lawyers on Tuesday further amplified these calls.
Alex Ryvchin, co-chief executive of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, articulated the frustration felt by many, stating, “The federal government should be the first calling for it. The fact that we need to grapple with the government over this, plead for it, it’s just deeply insulting.” Jewish leaders have expressed deep frustration, while downplaying the significance of the booing incident at the Sunday vigil. They highlighted the government’s slow response to recommendations from Jillian Segal, the special envoy on antisemitism, and perceived attempts to minimize the severity of the challenge.
A Damaging Blow to Albanese’s Leadership
Political historian Chris Wallace believes the Bondi tragedy has “profoundly damaged Anthony Albanese’s prime ministership.” Wallace noted the government’s delayed response to the Segal report, delivered in July, stating, “There is no getting round the fact that the government got the Segal report in July and five months later was cruising towards the summer break without a response, and with none on the horizon. That is too slow – for Albanese, typically slow – and it’s not as if there weren’t strenuous pleas for an urgent response to the Segal report. It is a performance failure that can’t be rationalised away.”
Wallace also observed that the crisis has highlighted a contrast in leadership styles between Albanese and New South Wales Premier Chris Minns, with the comparison proving unfavorable to the Prime Minister. “What has been seen by voters can’t be unseen.”
Echoes of Past Crises
The current situation draws parallels to past crises and their impact on Australian prime ministers. John Howard’s decisive action to strengthen gun laws following the 1997 Port Arthur massacre remains a defining moment of his leadership, while Scott Morrison’s controversial holiday during the 2020 black summer bushfires continues to be a source of criticism.
According to pollster Tony Barry of Redbridge, it is premature to definitively assess the political fallout from the Bondi tragedy. However, he cautioned that the prevailing perception of Albanese as “weak” poses a significant risk. “Albanese’s biggest challenge is he still suffers from that weakness frame,” Barry explained. “I think some of those Resolve polling numbers were pretty devastating, because strength is one of the leadership attributes voters look for particularly in times where national security is salient.” Barry anticipates that national security and defence will become even more prominent issues for voters in the lead-up to the 2026 election.
Calls for Unity Amidst Internal Labor Divisions
While acknowledging the potential for criticism, Wallace suggested that voters would likely favor a unified approach from all parties. “Citizens would be more impressed by dignified Coalition MPs supporting the government in the serious business of finding and fixing the systems gaps, errors, oversights and processes that failed to stop this terrorism before it happened, than by shouty accusations against the prime minister.”
However, the opposition, led by Sussan Ley, has continued to attack Albanese and Foreign Minister Penny Wong, accusing them of a lack of empathy. Ley defended her criticisms on Tuesday, stating, “I make no apology for my passion on that occasion.” Albanese, in response, expressed regret over the politicization of the attack and reiterated his commitment to national unity.
The internal divisions within the Labor party are also becoming apparent. Several Labor MPs, including Mike Freelander and Ed Husic, have publicly called for a royal commission, while others have criticized Albanese for insufficient engagement with the Jewish community and key stakeholders. One Labor MP privately admitted, “It is our failure. It happened on our watch,” and expressed frustration that a royal commission hadn’t been initiated. Despite this discontent, some Labor MPs have reported receiving supportive messages from constituents who believe the politicization of the tragedy is unwarranted.
Rebuilding Trust with the Jewish Community
Dean Sherr, a former Albanese advisor, emphasized the importance of rebuilding trust with the Jewish community, which has felt increasingly isolated amid rising antisemitism. “The Bondi attack has made all these feelings of isolation and insecurity so much worse,” Sherr said. “The community is obviously looking for action and responsibility and accountability, but they’re also looking to feel that leaders are firmly in their corner and that they understand what they’re going through.” He cautioned that restoring trust will require sustained effort. Sherr also noted that relations with Labor were strained even before the October 7th attacks, stemming from the government’s decision in October 2022 to reverse the recognition of West Jerusalem, a move made on a Jewish holiday.
As Albanese urges “urgency and unity, not division and delay,” the coming months will be critical in determining whether he can navigate this crisis and salvage his second term in office. The path he chooses will undoubtedly shape his legacy and the future of Australian politics.