Labor Figures Demand Federal Royal Commission into Bondi Attack and Rising Antisemitism
A growing chorus of Labor party affiliates is intensifying pressure on Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to establish a federal royal commission into the circumstances surrounding the Bondi Beach attack and the broader issue of antisemitism in Australia. The calls come as the government prepares to fast-track legislation addressing hate speech and gun control in response to the tragedy.
The letter, first reported by Guardian Australia, signed by 21 Labor associates, including former Members of Parliament and members of the Labor Israel Action Committee (LIAC). Signatories argue that a commonwealth-level investigation is crucial to safeguarding both national security and the health of Australian democracy.
Among those adding their names to the letter were former federal MPs Mike Kelly, Bernie Ripoll, Mary Easson, Mike Symon, and Michael Danby, alongside former New South Wales upper house members Eric Roozendaal, Walt Secord, and Michael Costa. Notably, Nova Peris, a former Labor federal senator and Olympic athlete, also signed the document, building on her previous support for a royal commission alongside approximately 60 other Australian athletes. Peris currently serves as a patron of the LIAC.
“The government must call a royal commission into the causes of the bondi beach massacre, the broader ecosystem of terror and hate and the capacity of the agencies to monitor terrorist threats,” the letter states. While acknowledging the establishment of a New South Wales royal commission by Premier Chris Minns, the signatories contend that it’s jurisdictional limitations prevent it from compelling testimony from federal institutions and protecting commonwealth officers who might wish to speak candidly. “Only a commonwealth royal commission can unpack the dynamics of Jew hatred including aspects such as the social media threat, how hate and incitement is weaponised in Australia and how we can come together across the nation to defeat it.”
Mike Kelly has been a vocal advocate for a federal inquiry for weeks,stating in late December on ABC Radio that such an investigation “has to be done at the commonwealth level.” He emphasized the necessity of accessing classified materials and compelling testimony from federal agencies, somthing a NSW commission is unable to do. “It’s not possible for a NSW commission to compel commonwealth officers and do the deeper dive on the classified materials that those agencies may not be prepared to reveal entirely to a NSW process,” he explained.
The demand for a federal royal commission is not limited to Labor figures. Eleven families of Jewish Australians impacted by the Bondi shooting have also directly appealed to Prime minister Albanese, seeking an investigation into both antisemitism and potential failures in law enforcement that may have contributed to the attack, which tragically claimed 15 lives. Their call has been echoed by the federal Coalition opposition, who have adopted the issue as a central tenet of their platform.
However,Prime Minister Albanese has thus far resisted these calls. He maintains that federal authorities will fully cooperate with the NSW royal commission and has instead announced a review, led by former ASIO chief Dennis Richardson, focused on national intelligence and law enforcement capabilities. Albanese has repeatedly stated his belief that a federal royal commission would be a protracted process,delaying the implementation of necessary changes to intelligence and policing agencies.
When questioned about the calls for a national royal commission,Albanese expressed his deep sorrow for the victims and their families. “My heart breaks for the families of the victims of the bondi terrorist atrocity,” he said last week. “My job as the Australian prime minister is to act in the national interest,” he continued, asserting that the richardson review is the most effective path forward for national security.
The government’s response comes as federal parliament is set to reconvene early to address the aftermath of the alleged terrorist attack. Legislation aimed at cracking down on “hate preachers” and funding a national gun buyback scheme are expected to be prioritized. Treasurer Jim Chalmers acknowledged the sincerity of the calls for a royal commission, stating they “come overwhelmingly from a good place,” but affirmed that the government’s position remains unchanged. “The government is taking a number of steps,” he said. “we know that the world is watching, because what happened at Bondi last month was such a horrifying event, and the urgent and the immediate actions that we are taking are really important when it comes to us learning from and responding to this attack.”
