Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has justified his decision against initiating a Commonwealth royal commission into the Bondi Beach terror attack, asserting that such a move would only postpone necessary measures.

Albanese highlighted that past investigations of this nature have consistently extended beyond their original timelines. He emphasized that conducting a Commonwealth royal commission alongside the ongoing New South Wales royal commission and a federal security review led by Dennis Richardson would hinder the swift implementation of changes.

“Our priority is to take immediate action,” Albanese stated.

“The Richardson review is designed to address this need promptly. It will also contribute to the inquiry already underway in New South Wales, with which we will fully cooperate,” he added.

Albanese argued that having multiple royal commissions and a review occurring simultaneously would only serve to delay progress.

Earlier today, Ley released a draft terms of reference for a Commonwealth royal commission, which she said would have greater reach and powers than a state version announced by NSW Premier Chris Minns.

“In response to the horror at Bondi, the prime minister has announced proposals, but they’re too little, they’re too late, and they will take too long,” she said at a press conference this morning.

“I invite the prime minister to sit down with me immediately to refine and finalise these terms of reference so we can establish a Commonwealth royal commission, before Christmas.”

The opposition’s proposal for a Commonwealth investigation would be led by three commissioners, comprising a member from the Jewish community, a member with law enforcement and intelligence agency experience and a current or former supreme court judge.

The draft terms of reference include investigating the rise of antisemitism in Australia, the conduct of ministers and departments across all levels of government, the role of radical Islam, far left and far right neo-Nazi extremism and anti-Zionist attitudes and the cooperation between federal and state law enforcement and intelligence agencies.

Under the draft, the royal commission would hand down an interim report and recommendations no later than June 23, 2026.

The opposition will move a motion to establish a Commonwealth royal commission as soon as the federal parliament is recalled.

“We have work to do in order to honour the dead,” Ley said while blaming Albanese’s actions and inactions for contributing to the Bondi attack.

“We must confront uncomfortable truths, hard truths. That’s what this Commonwealth royal commission is about.”

But Albanese said the numerous sections and subsections of the opposition’s proposal would review the “whole functioning of Australia” and not deliver urgent changes now.

Shadow attorney-general Andrew Wallace said only a Commonwealth royal commission can investigate the full extent of the Bondi attack and the antisemitism since the Hamas attacks on October 7, 2023. 

“It is totally inappropriate and insufficient to simply have a state royal commission, which would effectively have its hands tied in dealing with state matters,” he said.

“We know that there are likely to be identified many failings as a result of what happened at Bondi, not the least of which certainly cross jurisdictions of our states and territories and our Commonwealth.”

Albanese has thrown his support behind a state-based royal commission and announced a landmark gun buyback scheme, laws to combat hate speech and antisemitism and a review into the federal law enforcement and intelligence agencies in the wake of the Bondi attack.

Today, he also confirmed he would introduce a new landmark offence that outlaws the radicalisation of children and give the home affairs minister more powers to cancel or refuse visas if a person is suspected of promoting violence, is engaging in hate speech, is associated with a terrorist organisation or has displayed a hate symbol.

But Albanese has been unable to shake off growing criticism from political figures and the Jewish community, which saw him get booed and heckled at a vigil in Bondi last night and accept responsibility and acknowledge he could have done more last week.

Ley has failed to gain support and also dipped in approval ratings, with Albanese still leading as the preferred prime minister.

Jewish MP emotional as he attacks PM

Liberal backbencher Julian Leeser, who is Jewish, was visibly emotional as he spoke at the press conference alongside his party leader today.

He was scathing about Albanese’s leadership and response to antisemitism since October 7, 2023.

“The Jewish community of this country cannot survive on the crumbs of this government and this appalling prime minister, who is always late to the party and who wants the Jewish community of this country to live in him in his half measures for two years,” he said.

“I don’t want to see the memories of the 15 Australians who died last Sunday, I don’t want to see their memories being desecrated by this half-measured departmental review that is proposed by this prime minister.

“We need nothing short of a royal commission now.”

Leeser raised his voice and went as far as to say Albanese’s response to the attack was “the most shameful act in the history of our nation”.

“Australia stands humiliated by the failure of leadership of this man, by the failure of leadership which has led to the extraordinary deaths in a terrorist act on the shores of Bondi in this great city of ours,” he said.

Deputy Nationals leader Bridget McKenzie backed her colleague in the Coalition, adding that “to hate Israel is to hate Jews”.