Key Takeaways:
- A former High Court justice, Virginia Bell, is being considered to lead a federal royal commission into the Bondi killings.
- Some Jewish leaders in NSW have expressed concerns that Bell may be too left-leaning for the role.
- The potential appointment of Bell has been flagged by senior Labor figures, but has already prompted pushback from some critics.
- The royal commission is expected to investigate the Bondi killings and potential intelligence failures.
- Other potential royal commissioners include former ASIO boss Dennis Richardson and Federal Court judge Michael Lee.
Introduction to the Royal Commission
The Australian government is considering appointing a former High Court justice, Virginia Bell, to lead a federal royal commission into the Bondi killings. The potential appointment of Bell has been flagged by senior Labor figures, but has already prompted pushback from some Jewish leaders in NSW who believe she may be too left-leaning for the role. The royal commission is expected to investigate the Bondi killings and potential intelligence failures, and the government is working out the details of the probe.
Background on Virginia Bell
Virginia Bell has had a long and respected career in the law, starting her career at the Redfern Legal Centre in the 1970s and becoming a public defender. She was appointed as a judge on the NSW Supreme Court and Court of Appeal in 1999 and became the fourth woman to serve on the bench of the High Court in 2009. Bell has also had experience working in a royal commission, acting as one of the counsel assisting the Wood Royal Commission into NSW police corruption between 1994 and 1997. In 2022, Labor appointed Bell to lead an inquiry into former prime minister Scott Morrison’s scandalous self-appointment to several ministries.
Concerns Over Bell’s Appointment
Critics of Bell in the Jewish community view her as too close to Labor, and although they agree she is a distinguished figure, they question her stance on the complex topics the commission must explore. Some Jewish leaders have privately acknowledged that they risk blowback from the wider community if they appear to be making political attacks against the royal commission after the prime minister yields. Former Coalition treasurer Josh Frydenberg has also opposed Bell’s appointment, without specifying reasons. The disagreement over Bell is already proving difficult for Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who will face ongoing tests from the Jewish community and other critics to ensure the scope and operation of the probe satisfies the Bondi victims’ families and their community leaders.
Other Potential Royal Commissioners
Other names being discussed as potential royal commissioners include former ASIO boss Dennis Richardson, already selected to run the rapid review of intelligence failures, and Federal Court judge Michael Lee, well known for presiding over the defamation case brought against Channel 10 by Bruce Lehrmann. The government is considering merging the proposed Richardson review into intelligence failings into the royal commission, and it may also merge with the NSW royal commission. The prime minister’s office has been contacted for comment on the potential appointment of Bell and the details of the royal commission.
Conclusion and Next Steps
The potential appointment of Virginia Bell as the leader of the federal royal commission into the Bondi killings has sparked controversy and debate. While Bell has a long and respected career in the law, some critics have raised concerns about her potential bias and stance on complex topics. The government is working out the details of the probe, and the prime minister will face ongoing tests from the Jewish community and other critics to ensure the scope and operation of the probe satisfies the Bondi victims’ families and their community leaders. The royal commission is expected to investigate the Bondi killings and potential intelligence failures, and the government will need to carefully consider the appointment of the royal commissioner to ensure a fair and effective investigation.