Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has called a Royal Commission into the Bondi terror attack. Photo: Region.
Anthony Albanese has bent to growing community pressure and relented over his opposition to a federal Royal Commission into the Bondi terror attack.
The Prime Minister has called on former High Court Justice Virginia Bell AC to lead the Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion, with a deadline to report by 14 December 2026, the 12-month anniversary of the tragedy.
Fifteen people died last month in an ISIS-inspired shooting attack on Bondi Beach during celebrations on the first night of Hanukkah.
Mr Albanese had initially refused to call a Commonwealth Royal Commission, instead launching the Dennis Richardson review into Australia’s security agencies and committing to full cooperation with the immediately-called NSW Royal Commission.
But following consultation with the Jewish community leaders, victims and survivors – and after a chorus of high-level public demands for a national inquiry – the PM has changed his mind.
He said he was focussed on immediate actions, such as the Richardson review, but was also listening to the community.
“One of the reasons our nation is one of the oldest and strongest modern democracies in the world is because every Australian has the right to express their view,” Mr Albanese said.
“As Prime Minister, I respect people’s views, and I listen to them.
“I take the time to choose the right path, the course of action that will make a positive difference to our country.”
Mr Albanese said he had met and shed tears with victims and families of the attack.
He said those murdered in the antisemitic terror attack must be given the respect they deserve.
“I’ve listened, and in a democracy, that’s a good thing to listen to what people are saying, and what people are saying is, yes, we’re concerned,” he said.
The Richardson review will now become part of the Commonwealth Royal Commission, with the former ASIO boss still to give his report in April, but now as an interim report of the commission.
To ensure this is a truly national Royal Commission, all states and territories will be asked to join the Commonwealth Royal Commission, suggesting the NSW commission will now be part of the wider inquiry.
The Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion, in response to the Bondi terrorist attack, will cover four key areas:
- Tackling antisemitism by investigating the nature and prevalence of antisemitism in institutions and society, and its key drivers in Australia, including ideologically and religiously motivated extremism and radicalisation
- Making recommendations that will assist law enforcement, border control, immigration and security agencies to tackle antisemitism, including through improvements to guidance and training within law enforcement, border control, immigration, and security agencies to respond to antisemitic conduct
- Examining the circumstances surrounding the antisemitic Bondi terrorist attack on 14 December 2025
- Making any other recommendations arising out of the inquiry for strengthening social cohesion in Australia and countering the spread of ideologically and religiously motivated extremism in Australia.
The Prime Minister praised Ms Bell as the right choice to lead the commission.
“We certainly consulted widely – widely – and there are a range of views,” he said.
“If you look at what is required by this Royal Commission, there is no one of the stature of Virginia Bell, a former High Court judge, a former head or senior person in the New South Wales Supreme Court, someone with a background in criminal law, someone who is widely respected right across the board.”
The PM said the inquiry will be framed in such a way as not to prejudice the criminal investigation and legal proceedings into the Bondi attack, and he has every confidence in Ms Bell’s ability to ensure that is the case.
Australia’s Special Envoy for Antisemitism Jillian Segal, standing with the Prime Minister during the announcement late on Thursday (8 January), said calling a Royal Commission was the right decision.
“It does reflect the seriousness of the growth in antisemitism and its impact on our country and our democracy,” she said.
“The Jewish community and the broader Australian community have been calling for a process of this sort of authority, and it’s very important that those calls have been heard.”
Jewish community groups and the Business Council of Australia have immediately welcomed the announcement.
Opposition Leader Sussan Ley said the Federal Government was shamed into calling a Royal Commission.
“The Prime Minister’s decision to finally establish a Commonwealth Royal Commission is not an act of leadership; it is an admission that his litany of excuses has collapsed,” she said.
