Key Takeaways:
- A coalition of Labor party affiliates are calling for a federal royal commission into antisemitism and the events leading up to the Bondi terrorist attack
- The affiliates, including former MPs and members of the Labor Israel Action Committee, argue that a commonwealth royal commission is necessary to investigate the causes of the attack and the broader ecosystem of terror and hate
- The government has so far resisted calls for a federal royal commission, instead opting for an inquiry led by the former Asio chief Dennis Richardson into the national intelligence and law enforcement community
- The prime minister has cited the need for quicker answers and the potential length of a royal commission as reasons for not establishing one
- The federal parliament will be recalled early to rush through laws to crack down on "hate preachers" and fund a national gun buyback scheme in the wake of the alleged terrorist attack
Introduction to the Calls for a Royal Commission
The recent terrorist attack in Bondi has sparked widespread outrage and calls for action to address the growing threat of antisemitism in Australia. A coalition of Labor party affiliates, including former MPs and members of the Labor Israel Action Committee (LIAC), have backed calls for the prime minister to establish a federal royal commission into antisemitism and the events that "led to and enabled" the Bondi terrorist attack. In an open letter, the affiliates argued that the "health of our democracy and our national security" was at stake if the government did not call a commonwealth royal commission. The letter was signed by 21 associates of the Labor party, including former federal MPs Mike Kelly, Bernie Ripoll, and Nova Peris, a former Labor federal senator and Olympian.
The Need for a Commonwealth Royal Commission
The affiliates argue that a commonwealth royal commission is necessary to investigate the causes of the attack and the broader ecosystem of terror and hate. They point out that a NSW royal commission, which has been called by NSW premier Chris Minns, cannot compel institutions and individuals beyond its jurisdiction to give evidence or provide commonwealth officers with the necessary legal protection to speak frankly. Only a commonwealth royal commission can unpack the dynamics of Jew hatred, including aspects such as the social media threat, how hate and incitement is weaponised in Australia, and how to come together across the nation to defeat it. Mike Kelly, a former federal MP, has been a strong backer of a royal commission, stating that an inquiry "has to be done at the commonwealth level" and that a NSW commission would not be able to compel commonwealth officers or access classified materials.
Government Resistance to a Royal Commission
Despite the growing calls for a royal commission, the government has so far resisted, with prime minister Anthony Albanese citing the need for quicker answers and the potential length of a royal commission. Albanese has instead called an inquiry, led by the former Asio chief Dennis Richardson, into the national intelligence and law enforcement community. The prime minister has stated that federal authorities will cooperate with a royal commission ordered by the NSW state government, but that a federal royal commission would take too long. The treasurer, Jim Chalmers, has also stated that while the calls for a royal commission "come overwhelmingly from a good place", they would not shift the government’s position.
Alternative Actions Being Taken
In the wake of the alleged terrorist attack, the federal parliament will be recalled early to rush through laws to crack down on "hate preachers" and fund a national gun buyback scheme. The government has argued that these actions are necessary to address the immediate concerns surrounding the attack and to prevent similar incidents in the future. However, the affiliates and other supporters of a royal commission argue that these actions do not go far enough and that a comprehensive investigation into the causes of the attack and the broader ecosystem of terror and hate is necessary.
Conclusion and Next Steps
The debate over a royal commission into antisemitism and the Bondi terrorist attack is likely to continue in the coming weeks and months. The affiliates and other supporters of a royal commission will continue to push for a comprehensive investigation, while the government will likely face ongoing pressure to take stronger action to address the growing threat of antisemitism in Australia. Ultimately, the establishment of a royal commission will depend on the government’s willingness to listen to the concerns of the community and to take a comprehensive and nuanced approach to addressing the complex issues surrounding the attack.