The Albanese government is maintaining its stance against a Commonwealth Royal Commission into the Bondi Beach terrorist attack, despite calls for one by the victims' families.

Canberra

The Albanese government has reaffirmed its decision not to establish a Commonwealth Royal Commission into the Bondi Beach terrorist attack, despite mounting anger from the community and calls from victims' families and Jewish leaders. Government officials, including Foreign Minister Penny Wong, expressed deep regret over the attack and acknowledged the pain felt by the Jewish community, but relatives of victims described official apologies as insufficient and called for immediate action.

Community leaders and family members questioned why the government is not responding to widespread demands for a Royal Commission, warning of potential political consequences for Prime Minister Albanese. The issue has also prompted scrutiny of the Labor Party's handling of anti-Semitism, with party officials pledging strong disciplinary measures against any members found to express anti-Semitic views.

Victims' familes call for royal commission into Bondi terror attack

Staring down growing community anger, the Albanese Government is tonight standing firm on no Commonwealth Royal Commission into the Bondi Beach terrorist attack. Every single member of our government is deeply, deeply sorry for the atrocities that were committed against Australia's Jewish community. Among them, Foreign Minister Penny Wong, who concedes in politics and in life, you always regret what more could have been done. I'm sure they're appreciated, but they are totally insufficient. Words are not enough. A sentiment shared by some of the relatives of the dead, from 68-year-old Boris Tettleroyd's niece. The Prime Minister's apology carries no weight. Words offered after lives are lost without prior action do not restore trust. They read as hollow. Instead of moral courage from the Prime Minister, all we hear is moral confusion. The time to act is now. Frustration too from the daughter of Reuven Morrison, the man who died trying to protect his community. We have had zero contact from Albanese. No representative has reached out to us whatsoever. We've been feeling so angry and we feel like we've been forgotten. I certainly respect the views and the wishes of the victims and their families, of the leadership of Australia's Jewish community. If the Jewish community is calling for a Commonwealth Royal Commission, then why is the Prime Minister and his ministers not listening? It's being called for by just about every different quarter of society is calling for it. I don't know why Anthony Albanese is dragging his feet. Ultimately, I think this could be his political downfall. It's not just the federal government's response to anti-Semitism within the wider Australian community that's under scrutiny, but internally too within the Labor Party. In a letter sent to NSW Labor Secretary Dominic Ofner, the Labor-Israel Action Committee warns the party needs to be tougher about unacceptable comments and conduct. The penalties within our party for any form of anti-Semitism or racism include expulsion and we won't hesitate to act to ensure that anyone who expresses anti-Semitic views is expelled from our party. Matthew Karstunen, 10 News.

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