Demanding Justice: Families of Bondi Terror Attack Victims Urge Royal Commission Investigation

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Opposition leader Sussan Ley has criticised Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s decision not to launch a federal royal commission into the Bondi terror attack, saying Albanese has refused to use his power to eradicate antisemitism.

Earlier on Monday, Albanese joined Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke to announce terms of reference for an independent review led by Dennis Richardson, former chief of the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO), into federal intelligence and law enforcement agencies in the wake of the Bondi massacre.

Albanese has resisted repeated calls for a federal royal commission into the attack. On Monday, 17 family members of Bondi victims joined the mounting calls for such an inquiry.

Ley, who’s been supportive of a federal royal commission, said Albanese’s decision had “insulted those who have endured the unimaginable”.

In Canberra, Ley voiced strong criticism, stating, “This isn’t about protection; it’s condescending. What’s the prime minister trying to hide?”

He further elaborated on Monday, explaining that royal commissions are less effective when tackling matters with conflicting viewpoints, as they could lead to the reemergence of some of the most distressing issues.

On Monday, Albanese said while his “heart goes out” to the families of victims during an “incredibly traumatic time”, his job is to act in the national interest.

“We need to respond with unity and urgency rather than division and delay,” he told reporters in Canberra on Monday.

“The government is committed to making sure that we can’t wait years for answers, we need to get on with any changes that are required.”

Albanese has previously said he wants any inquiries into the Bondi attack to be urgent, and that a royal commission would not be completed in the current term of parliament.

The prime minister has said the Richardson review is due to report back in April 2026

Ley said speed wasn’t an issue with the Coalition’s proposed royal commission, which would provide interim recommendations by July of next year.

Albanese also said royal commissions could have inadequacies when it came to “deciding facts”.

The Bondi terror incident claimed the lives of fifteen individuals.

The grieving families of those lost in the Bondi Beach attack have called on the prime minister to initiate a federal royal commission. They seek an investigation into the alarming surge of antisemitism in Australia following the Hamas assault on October 7, 2023, along with the shortcomings in law enforcement, intelligence, and policy that culminated in the tragedy at Bondi Beach.

The families of those killed in the Bondi Beach terror attack had urged the prime minister to launch a federal royal commission “into the rapid rise of antisemitism in Australia following Hamas’ attack on October 7, 2023, and the law enforcement, intelligence, and policy failures that led to the Bondi Beach massacre”.

They said the federal government’s response so far was “not nearly enough” and that royal commissions had been launched for issues such as banking and aged care in the past.

“We demand answers and solutions,” said a joint statement from 17 family members of the 15 victims killed in the attack on a Hanukkah festival on 14 December.

“We need to know why clear warning signs were ignored, how antisemitic hatred and Islamic extremism were allowed to dangerously grow unchecked, and what changes must be made to protect all Australians going forward.

Anthony Albanese is standing in a crowd wearing a kippah.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has said a royal commission is unlikely to be completed in this term of parliament. Source: AAP / Dean Lewins

“We need strong action now. We need leadership now.

“You cannot bring back our loved ones. But with a well-led Commonwealth Royal Commission and strong action, you may be able to save many more,” the joint statement read.

“You owe us answers. You owe us accountability. And you owe Australians the truth.”

Minns says ‘nothing is off the table’

The NSW government recently announced a state-based royal commission into the terror attack.

NSW Premier Chris Minns said on Monday the inquiry would seek to determine how the attack occurred and how future tragedies can be prevented.

“There are questions that we don’t have answers to, and we need to do everything possible to provide that to the community,” he said.

Asked if Albanese was listening to the victims’ families, Minns said: “I can’t speak for the families, and I can’t speak for another level of government.”

Minns said the royal commission would have access to other jurisdictions and the heads of federal agencies.

Minns said he is open to arming the Community Security Group, which is run by volunteers to guard synagogues and Jewish events.

The NSW government has introduced new measures, including a crackdown on hate speech and tighter firearm restrictions.

A ban on certain forms of protests after declared terrorist incidents has been introduced, restricting public assemblies in parts of Sydney for 14 days.

NSW Health said on Monday that nine people injured in the shooting remained in hospital, including three in critical but stable condition.

— With additional reporting by Wing Kuang and Australian Associated Press