Name: Prime Minister announces Royal Commission into Bondi shooting
Uploaded: 2026-01-08T06:39:21.167Z
Duration: 2 min 54 s
Description: Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has caved to weeks of political pressure and called a federal royal commission into the Bondi terror attack and anti‑semitism to be led by former High Court justice Virginia Bell.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has caved to weeks of political pressure and called a federal royal commission into the Bondi terror attack and anti‑semitism to be led by former High Court justice Virginia Bell.

Canberra

The Australian government has announced the establishment of a single Commonwealth Royal Commission to investigate the Bondi attack, appointing former High Court Justice Virginia Bell as Commissioner. The decision comes after weeks of pressure from business leaders, victims' families, and community groups, with the inquiry set to examine anti-semitism, extremism, and related security issues.

The terms of reference for the Commission will be released soon, and the inquiry is expected to report its findings by December 14, 2026. The Executive Council of Australian Jewry has welcomed the announcement, expressing hope for an honest examination of government policies and pledging cooperation.

Prime Minister announces Royal Commission into Bondi shooting

is still speaking not far from where we are in Canberra but I'll walk you through some of these major changes as part of this about face this Commonwealth Royal Commission into the Bondi attack it will be one there will not be a separate one he is mentioned of course the New South Wales Commission Chris Minns the Premier of New South Wales is expected to speak more on that at some stage but there will be one single inquiry it will be headed up by former High Court Justice Virginia Bell she's been appointed as Commissioner the opposition they wanted three Commissioners that hasn't happened there's also been concerns raised by Jewish leaders and former MP Josh Frydenberg over her connections to Labor that has been ignored though now of course the PM is obviously about faces it is a big deal he's been under pressure for weeks from business leaders from families of the victims he did say he's spoken and taking the time to talk to Jewish leaders he said he's shared tears with families and had honest and open-hearted conversations of course it'll look at four areas the terms of reference will be released later today as well including tackling anti-semitism and its drivers including religious and motivated extremism and of course looking at the circumstances of the Bondi attack the other question of course was the Richardson review that was ordered just a few weeks ago looking at the spy agencies and the intelligence agencies to see if there are any gaps that too will feed directly into this Federal Commonwealth Commission here is the Prime Minister a very short time ago walking through the timeline of when we'll start to see the results of this report this won't be a drawn-out process our government will ask Commissioner Bell to report before the 14th of December 2026 importantly we'll be asking Commissioner Bell to ensure this inquiry does not prejudice any future criminal proceeding this is vital and 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 anti-semitism on the daily life of Jewish Australians and works to promote social cohesion and to do this without providing a platform for others to push anti-semitic hatred this Royal Commission is the right format the right duration and the right terms of reference to deliver the right outcome for our national unity and our national security. Now however you want to spin this of course the Prime Minister really had no choice but to make this decision now we've seen some reaction already we just received a statement from the Executive Council of Australian Jury they have welcomed the news saying they will have welcomed the announcement they expect the terms of reference will allow an honest examination of government policies and they will cooperate so of course there'll be plenty of reaction over the coming days for the PM again he had no choice it'll be interesting to see how this plays out and how the opposition reacts Hugh. Okay Matt Kastunin thank you

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