Key Takeaways
- The Bondi terror attack has led to calls for a royal commission to investigate the causes of the attack and how to prevent future attacks
- A royal commission has the power to compel witnesses and documents, and can examine matters of public importance
- The federal government has resisted calling a national royal commission, instead opting for an internal counter-terrorism review
- The opposition and former Liberals are pushing for a national commission, saying the government’s review is not enough
- A royal commission can be called by a federal or state government, and can be held jointly with other governments in areas of overlapping responsibility
Introduction to Royal Commissions
Royal commissions are considered the most authoritative type of independent review, and are used to examine matters of public importance. They have strong investigative powers, and can compel witnesses to appear and documents to be provided. Royal commissions are typically chaired by legal experts or other distinguished Australians, and can hold private hearings in some circumstances. The terms of reference for a royal commission are written by the government, and the inquiry is formally initiated with a letter from the governor-general or relevant state governor.
How Royal Commissions Work
A royal commission can be called by a federal government or a state government, and each government can only call a commission into matters that fall within its jurisdiction. Federal and state governments sometimes hold joint commissions in areas of overlapping responsibility. For example, the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability involved the entire federation, with the governor-general issuing "letters patent" to establish the commission, and state governors following suit with their own. The commission can involve multiple levels of government, and can facilitate cooperation between different levels of government.
The Bondi Royal Commission
The Bondi terror attack has sparked calls for a royal commission to investigate the causes of the attack and how to prevent future attacks. The New South Wales Premier, Chris Minns, has declared his own plans for a royal commission, which state governments can also hold on subjects that fall within their respective jurisdictions. However, the federal government has resisted calling its own national royal commission, saying only that it would cooperate with the NSW royal commission while holding its own internal counter-terrorism review. The opposition and former Liberals, including Josh Frydenberg and Scott Morrison, say that this is not enough, and a national commission is needed.
The Federal Government’s Response
The federal government has announced a review led by former spy chief Dennis Richardson to study whether federal intelligence and law enforcement agencies have the resources and powers they need. The review will be run within the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, and will make its public report in April. However, this move has drawn significant criticism from Liberals and from independent MP Allegra Spender, who has likened it to the government reviewing itself and has said a formal independent inquiry is needed with similar powers to a royal commission. Former treasurer Josh Frydenberg has described the inquiry as a "failure in leadership", and Opposition Leader Sussan Ley has instead proposed terms of reference for a federal commission examining the broader government response to antisemitism.
The Need for a National Commission
A key question for a royal commission, especially one shared with the states, would be the extent to which federal intelligence agencies are required to provide classified documents. Royal commissions can hold private hearings in some circumstances, and can compel witnesses and documents. The opposition and former Liberals are pushing for a national commission, saying the government’s review is not enough. They argue that a national commission is needed to examine the broader government response to antisemitism, and to investigate the causes of the Bondi terror attack. The federal government’s resistance to calling a national royal commission has been criticized, with many arguing that it is necessary to get to the bottom of the issues surrounding the attack.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Bondi terror attack has highlighted the need for a royal commission to investigate the causes of the attack and how to prevent future attacks. A royal commission has the power to compel witnesses and documents, and can examine matters of public importance. The federal government’s resistance to calling a national royal commission has been criticized, and the opposition and former Liberals are pushing for a national commission. The need for a national commission is clear, and it is necessary to get to the bottom of the issues surrounding the attack. A royal commission can provide a thorough and independent investigation, and can help to prevent future attacks.