Groundbreaking Royal Commission Launches to Tackle Antisemitism: Key Developments and Expectations

Jewish Australians are being encouraged to recount their “personal experiences of antisemitism” as the Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion commences its inquiry, outlining the scope of its examination.

In her introductory address on Tuesday, Commissioner Virginia Bell referenced the Bondi terror attack, which claimed 15 lives, as a pivotal moment to enhance the nation’s social unity.

“Exploring avenues to bolster social cohesion in Australia may require years of commitment rather than a brief endeavor,” she remarked during the hearing, which was broadcast live.

During the presentation of the inquiry’s objectives, she emphasized the urgency of submitting her findings by the first anniversary of the tragic event.

Focusing initially on understanding how antisemitism affects the “everyday lives of Jewish Australians,” she encouraged individuals to share their stories via an online form or email, assuring participants that this would not obligate them to testify publicly.

“I’m interested in hearing from Jewish Australians who’ve experienced antisemitism, whether at school or at university or in the workplace or elsewhere,” Bell said.

Senior counsel assisting Richard Lancaster acknowledged that December’s attack left “serious psychological scars”, causing “immense trauma” for those at the scene as well as members of the community, particularly those living in Bondi.

“Social cohesion begins with empathy,” he said.

“A large part of the work of this commission will be to present evidence to allow a broader understanding of the scourge of antisemitism, its nature and prevalence throughout Australian society and its impact on the lives of fellow Australians.”

So what is the scope of the investigation?

What is a royal commission?

It’s an independent, public inquiry established by a state or commonwealth government. In this case, it was set up by the Albanese government in January amid pressure from the Opposition and a number of public figures in the wake of the Bondi terror attack that killed 15 people, mostly Jewish Australians.

A royal commission is not a court but allows complex issues to be examined in a public forum. Australia has held more than 100 federal royal commissions.

The Australian government defines a royal commission as “the highest form of inquiry on matters of public importance, which are only established in rare and exceptional circumstances”.

Former judge Ronald Sackville says unlike other inquiries, royal commissions can force people and institutions to participate. In the past, former prime ministers and ministers have been compelled to give evidence, for example, in the Robodebt royal commission.

“They include the power to compel a witness to give evidence,” Sackville told SBS News earlier this year.

“And to do so, for example, without the protection for example of the privilege against self-incrimination. It also has power to require individuals and agencies to provide written information about matters specified by the royal commission.”

What can we expect from this royal commission?

This inquiry has terms of reference that guide what it will examine.

The 14 December antisemitic attack is a key focus: it will look at the lead-up and planning of the attack, and how agencies interacted and shared information, as well as tools to prevent such attacks in future.

It will investigate the prevalence and drivers of antisemitism in institutions and society in the lead up to the Bondi attack and how it’s affected Jewish Australians and whether law enforcement, border control, immigration, and security agencies have adequate resources and powers to respond to antisemitic conduct.

And while social cohesion is in the title of the inquiry, this will focus on asking the royal commission to make recommendations on how to strengthen social cohesion and “countering the spread of ideologically and religiously motivated extremism in Australia”.

Lancaster highlighted the commission will “explore ways to counter the spread of extremism in Australia”.

Public and private hearings are expected over the next few months, where people can share their experiences, or through written submissions.

Commission to use a controversial definition

Bell revealed the inquiry will adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s (IHRA) antisemitism definition, which has been endorsed by Australia’s antisemitism envoy Jillian Segal.

IHRA’s definition, finalised in 2016, states: “Antisemitism is a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews. Rhetorical and physical manifestations of antisemitism are directed toward Jewish or non-Jewish individuals and/or their property, toward Jewish community institutions and religious facilities.”

The government was cautioned against legislating the definition last year, with critics, including its author Kenneth Stern, arguing it is “being weaponised” to go after free speech, including pro-Palestinian speech.

On Tuesday, Bell said arguments against the definition often overlook the “requirement to take account of the overall context in which conduct occurs before making any determination that the conduct is antisemitic”.

She added that while two of the 11 examples of conduct attached to the definition were controversial, “criticism of the policies that may be pursued by the government of Israel from time to time is not of itself antisemitic”.

What are the complications?

The royal commission is expected to run while a separate criminal case is underway for the alleged gunman charged over the Bondi attack — Naveed Akram, who is facing 59 charges, including murder and terrorism offences.

While this could complicate matters for the royal commission, it’s been given instructions to avoid matters in “a manner that does not occasion prejudice to current or future criminal proceedings”.

Deirdre O’Neill, a Monash University public policy expert, said it’s likely some evidence will be confidential, for example, from the domestic spy agency ASIO.

“It’s going to have to obviously respect the need for some matters to remain confidential. So it … can’t open everything up in that sense,” she told SBS News.

“So I think that the royal commissioner would be well aware of those types of issues and sensitivities, and the royal commission would be conducted in a way that didn’t compromise the integrity of … very, very sensitive matter held by ASIO or other agencies.”

When do will there be an outcome?

The commissioner and staff will deliver an interim report by 30 April 2026, focusing on “issues requiring urgent or immediate action”, Lancaster said.

A final report is expected by 14 December 2026 — timed for the first anniversary of the Bondi massacre.

The final report usually lists recommendations to be adopted as policy and can make referrals to prosecutors if there is evidence of criminal activity.

O’Neill said this royal commission has the potential to make a “really significant contribution” regarding antisemitism.

“At the end of the day, what a royal commission does, is it provides recommendations to government.

“So the royal commissioner can’t change the laws and can’t make decisions herself about these things, but she can make a strong case and clear recommendations about what actions need to be taken, and that is where royal commissions can make a really significant contribution to to, you know, to public policy and to matters like antisemitism other significant issues that confronting society.”

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