Prime Minister calls federal Royal Commission into Bondi terror attack

ABC NEWS (Australia)

The Prime Minister has called a Royal Commission into antisemitism and social cohesion following the Bondi beach terror attack. It follows weeks of sustained pressure on Anthony Albanese to initiate the inquiry. Former high court justice Virginia Bell will lead the commission supported by former ASIO boss Dennis Richardson. The commissioner will have to report back by the first anniversary of the Bondi attack in December.

Transcript

00:00This won't be a drawn out process. Our government will ask Commissioner Bell to report before

00:08the 14th of December, 2026. Importantly, we'll be asking Commissioner Bell to ensure this

00:16inquiry does not prejudice any future criminal proceeding. This is vital. And we're confident

00:24that Commissioner Bell has the deep experience and expertise to conduct her inquiry in such

00:30a way that meaningfully examines the impact of anti-Semitism on the daily life of Jewish

00:37Australians and works to promote social cohesion and to do this without providing a platform

00:44for others to push anti-Semitic hatred. This Royal Commission is the right format, the

00:51right duration and the right terms of reference to deliver the right outcome for our national

00:57unity and our national security. Of course, a Royal Commission is not the beginning or the

01:04end of what Australia must do to eradicate anti-Semitism or protect ourselves from terrorism or strengthen

01:13our social cohesion. That's an ongoing national effort for all of us as individuals but also

01:20institutions. Because an attack on Jewish Australians is an attack on all Australians. The attack on

01:27December 14 targeted Jewish Australians but it also targeted the Australian way of life.

01:36One form of hatred, of course, can easily lead to another. And this is why our government will

01:42continue to support the work of our special envoy for combating anti-Semitism Gillian Siegel. And Gillian will

01:51play an important role in giving advice to the Royal Commission as it proceeds with its important work.

01:59Why is the protection of the previous

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