Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced the establishment of a Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion in the wake of the Bondi terror attack.
Albanese has appointed former High Court Judge Virginia Bell AC to lead the royal commission.
The decision comes weeks after the horrific antisemitic terrorist attack that took place at Bondi Beach on 14 December, where a Hanukkah celebration was targeted. Fifteen people were killed in the mass shooting.
Albanese’s announcement of the royal commission follows weeks of sustained pressure from members of the Jewish community and the families of victims, as well as business groups and the federal opposition.
Albanese had initially said he was opposed to a royal commission, instead favouring an independent inquiry led by former ASIO boss Dennis Richardson.
However on Thursday, Albanese said he had changed his mind following consultation with the Jewish community.
“I’ve taken the time to reflect, to meet with leaders in the Jewish community, and most importantly, I’ve met with many of the families of victims and survivors of that horrific attack,” Albanese said
“They’ve had their lives and worlds shattered. I want to thank people for those honest and open-hearted conversations.”
Albanese said after consultation, it became clear to him that NSW-based inquiry was not enough because antisemitism went beyond state borders.
“A royal commission is not the beginning or the end of what Australia must do to eradicate antisemitism, protect ourselves from terrorism or strengthen our social cohesion,” Albanese said in a statement on Thursday.
“That is an ongoing national effort, for all of us.
“Because an attack on Jewish Australians is an attack on all Australians.”
The terms of reference of the royal commission will cover four key areas: the nature and prevalence of antisemitism, the circumstances that led to the Bondi terror attack, recommendations about how law enforcement, immigration, and security agencies can better tackle antisemitism, and any other recommendations to strengthen social cohesion.
In the wake of the federal royal commission announcement, the NSW government has announced it will not be proceeding with its plan to establish a state-based royal commission.
Who is the commissioner?
Virginia Bell AC has had a distinguished legal career, beginning in the 1970s at Sydney’s Redfern Legal Centre. She went on to become the fourth woman to serve on the High Court when she was appointed in 2009.
Justice Bell represented 58 people arrested at the first Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras in 1978. Between 1994 and 1997 she was a counsel assisting the Royal Commission into the New South Wales Police Service.
Bell was appointed a judge of the Supreme Court of New South Wales in March, 1999.
She served as president of the Australian Institute of Judicial Administration between 2006 to 2008.
In 2012 she was awarded a Companion of the Order of Australia for “eminent service to the judiciary and to the law through leadership in criminal law reform and public policy development, to judicial administration, and as an advocate for the economically and socially disadvantaged”.
She was previously chosen by Albanese to lead an inquiry into Scott Morrison’s secret ministries scandal.
“We’re confident that Commissioner Bell has the deep experience and expertise to conduct her inquiry in such a way that meaningfully examines the impact of antisemitism on the daily life of Jewish Australians,” Albanese said.
Former treasurer Josh Frydenberg had raised concerns about Bell’s appointment as commissioner.
“The prime minister has been told directly by leaders of the Jewish community that they have serious concerns about this appointment,” he wrote on X.
But Albanese responded to this by saying: “If you look at what is required by this royal commission there is no-one of the stature of Virginia Bell.”