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Royal commission announced after public pressure
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has established a royal commission into last month's mass shooting at Bondi Beach, which killed 15 people during a Jewish festival. The decision follows weeks of mounting public calls for an independent inquiry.
Shift in stance after community outcry
Albanese initially resisted a royal commission, arguing that reforms to gun laws, hate speech regulations, and intelligence reviews would address the fallout more swiftly. However, after meeting with Jewish community leaders and reflecting on the attack's impact, he announced the inquiry on Thursday in Canberra.
"Our government's priority is to promote unity and social cohesion. This is what Australia needs to heal, to learn, and to come together," Albanese said. "A royal commission is essential to achieving this."
Scope and leadership of the inquiry
The royal commission, led by former High Court justice Virginia Bell, will investigate four key areas outlined by Albanese. Its broad powers include summoning witnesses, compelling document production, and protecting whistleblowers. An interim report is due in April, with a final deadline set for December 2026.
Albanese emphasized the inquiry's efficiency, noting that previous royal commissions have dragged on for years. "This won't be a drawn-out process," he said. The review into intelligence and law enforcement, led by former spy chief Dennis Richardson, will be absorbed into the commission's work.
Controversy over Bell's appointment
Rumors of Bell's appointment sparked criticism from Jewish leaders, including former treasurer Josh Frydenberg, who claimed the community had raised "serious concerns" without elaborating. Attorney General Michelle Rowland defended the choice, calling Bell "an eminent and highly capable former justice."
Albanese addressed concerns that the inquiry might interfere with the criminal case against the surviving gunman, stating Bell's criminal law expertise made her the most qualified candidate.
Broader reforms and community tensions
In the attack's aftermath, federal and state leaders agreed to tighter gun controls, including limits on firearm ownership and a buyback scheme. Albanese also pledged reforms to hate speech laws, introducing penalties for incitement to violence and a new federal offense for "aggravated hate speech."
Antisemitism commissioner Jillian Segal, whose July report recommended monitoring universities and arts organizations, praised the royal commission as "the right decision." Her proposals had faced criticism for potentially curbing free speech.
"This reflects the seriousness of the growth in antisemitism and its impact on our country and democracy," Segal said on Thursday.
Clarifying the inquiry's limits
Albanese stressed that the commission would not address geopolitical conflicts, such as the Israel-Gaza war. "Some people have held Jewish Australians accountable for views or actions that have nothing to do with them," he said, underscoring the need to focus on domestic security and social cohesion.
