Calls for Royal Commission Mount After Sydney Terror Attack
A growing chorus of opposition figures is demanding a royal commission into the deadly terror attack on Sydney’s Jewish community, intensifying pressure on Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to take decisive action. Fifteen people were killed during an attack on a Hanukkah event at Bondi Beach on Sunday, sparking national grief and a renewed debate over security measures and the rise of antisemitism.
The calls for a comprehensive inquiry come as the government faces criticism for allegedly prioritizing immediate safety concerns over a thorough investigation into potential failings. A senior opposition voice furiously called for a multi-pronged approach, including bans on radical “hate preachers” and protests, stricter immigration laws, and a full royal commission.
Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke, speaking on Wednesday, argued against a royal commission, stating that “the last thing that I want is the delays that happen on a royal commission.” He emphasized the need to allocate all available resources to ensuring the immediate safety of the community. Treasurer Jim Chalmers echoed this sentiment on Thursday, expressing concern that an inquiry could “delay or deter” law enforcement agencies.
However, a Coalition frontbencher dismissed these arguments as unacceptable, declaring, “You can act and have an inquiry at the same time.” The official further asserted that the current government has consistently delayed action, and using the need for expediency as a reason to avoid scrutiny is “a disgrace.” A key argument for a royal commission centers on its unique ability to determine whether any operational failures contributed to the tragedy.
Opposition Leader Sussan Ley demonstrated solidarity with the community by attending the funeral of Rabbi Eli Schlanger, one of the victims, on Wednesday. Several shadow ministers have also spent time at the makeshift memorial on Bondi Beach, offering support to those affected.
A senator who witnessed remarks made by the former treasurer – who is Jewish – described the speech as “incredibly well received” by the Bondi community. “I absolutely understand his anger and frustration, and I can tell you, as someone who spent the last few days with the Jewish community in Melbourne and Sydney, it is a sentiment which is overwhelmingly shared,” the senator stated.
Former ASIO director-general Dennis Richardson cautioned that a balance must be struck when considering any inquiry. He noted that royal commissions are often lengthy processes and can sometimes be used by governments to deflect responsibility, despite their power to compel testimony under oath. He suggested that commissions of inquiry might offer quicker answers. Richardson also highlighted the alarming reality of preschools with armed guards in the country, linking this to the issue of hate speech. “There’s no point in having legislation relating to hate speech unless it is enforced,” he said, adding that enforcement has been lacking in recent years.
The government has announced plans to further strengthen Australia’s gun laws, including barring non-citizens from holding a license, in the wake of the attack. However, critics argue that gun reform alone will not address the underlying issue of antisemitism, which has been on the rise since the October 7 attack on Israel and the subsequent conflict in Gaza.
Assistant immigration minister Matt Thistlewaite indicated that a package of measures to strengthen laws against antisemitism will be unveiled in the coming days and weeks, though specific details remain undisclosed.
The nation mourns the fifteen lives lost at Bondi, with families and friends grappling with unimaginable grief. The prime minister has indicated openness to strengthening hate speech laws, which were updated in February to address rising rates of antisemitism and Islamophobia, but questions persist regarding the effectiveness of current enforcement.
Labor MP Mark Dreyfus, a Jewish federal parliamentarian and former attorney-general, emphasized the need for a comprehensive response. “We’ve got to do everything we can. We’ve got to work with each other on what can be done,” he said. “It won’t be just one thing, but there will be many things that we should be doing. We’ve got to do them quickly. We’ve got to do them with great energy and we’ve got to do them together.”
