Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has again rejected calls for a federal royal commission into the Bondi terror attack, despite growing pressure from victims’ families, Jewish organisations, and senior political figures across Australia’s parliament.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese addresses the media on the federal response to the Bondi terror attack. (Image Credit: ABC)
Government Maintains Review Is the Right Path
Mr Albanese said the government’s response remains centred on a national security review led by former ASIO chief Dennis Richardson. The review will examine how federal agencies handled intelligence related to the attackers before the December 14 attack.
The Prime Minister stated that the decision was guided by advice from security and law enforcement agencies. He said the government’s national security committee had received input from all relevant bodies before confirming the review process.
Police secure Bondi Beach after the December 14 terror attack that killed 15 people. (Image Credit: The Daily Telegraph)
He told reporters that the government’s approach was based on conviction rather than political convenience. The Prime Minister said the review would allow fast and practical action rather than years of public hearings.
Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke supported the government’s position. He said a royal commission could give space to harmful and divisive rhetoric that would not assist national unity.
Jewish Groups Demand Full Federal Inquiry
Jewish peak bodies issued a joint statement rejecting the government’s stance. They said antisemitism had grown in recent years and had not been taken seriously enough.
The Executive Council of Australian Jewry said repeated warnings had been given to governments over rising Jew hatred. It said the Bondi attack showed that those warnings were not properly addressed.
Members of the Jewish community gather to honour victims of the Bondi attack. (Source: KPIC)
The statement said Australians were calling for accountability and healing. The groups said the refusal to hold a royal commission was unconvincing and failed to recognise the national scope of antisemitism.
Community leaders also noted that the Richardson review terms do not clearly mention antisemitism. They said this created doubt over whether the inquiry would examine the social drivers behind the violence.
Families of Victims Continue to Press Government
Families of 17 victims have asked the federal government to establish a royal commission. Many relatives said a broader inquiry was needed to fully examine how the attack happened.
The Bondi shooting killed 15 Australians, including 13 Jewish people. It occurred on the first night of Hanukkah and shocked communities across the country.
The families issued an open letter saying the federal response had not gone far enough. They said a public inquiry was needed to give transparency and provide answers about security failures.
Mr Albanese said the Richardson review would still determine what was known about the attackers and what could be done better. He said this approach would still deliver the facts.
Opposition Accuses Government of Avoiding Scrutiny
Opposition Leader Sussan Ley said a royal commission was needed to ensure all agencies were held to account. She said families should be treated as expert voices on the tragedy.
Ms Ley said national security experts, including former AFP commissioner Mick Keelty, had supported a Commonwealth royal commission. She said such a process would have powers that a review could not match.
The Coalition released draft terms of reference for a proposed inquiry. These included examining law enforcement, migration systems, and antisemitism across society.
Ms Ley said she was willing to negotiate the terms with the Prime Minister. She said the aim was to establish a commission before Christmas.
Dennis Richardson Review Moves Forward
Dennis Richardson will lead the federal review and report to the government in April. His task includes examining ASIO, the Australian Federal Police, and information sharing between agencies.
The review will look at how the alleged offenders were assessed before the attack. It will also examine whether legal powers were sufficient to monitor or restrict their activities.
The government said the inquiry would allow fast reforms. It also said national security matters do not always suit public hearings.
Mr Burke said a royal commission could reopen harmful debates and repeat some of the worst antisemitic statements from recent years.
State Inquiry Adds Another Layer
NSW Premier Chris Minns has announced a state-based royal commission into the Bondi attack. The NSW inquiry will examine gun laws and policing responses.
The NSW parliament has been recalled to pass new gun restrictions and protest laws. These measures follow the events of December 14.
Mr Albanese said the federal government would cooperate with the NSW inquiry. However, he said a separate federal royal commission was not required.
Critics have argued that a state inquiry cannot address federal border, intelligence, and migration systems.
Also Read: New Year 2026 Fireworks Australia CelebrationÂ
Political Pressure Continues to Grow
Former High Court chief justice Robert French said a joint federal and state royal commission was needed. He said the attack raised moral and national questions that required full examination.
Federal Labour MPs Mike Freelander and Ed Husic have also called for a royal commission. Both have said the matter goes beyond party lines.
Former Treasurer Josh Frydenberg described the Richardson review as inadequate. He said a royal commission was needed to properly confront antisemitism.
Despite growing pressure, Mr Albanese has not shifted his position. He continues to argue that the Richardson review offers the fastest and most effective path forward.
