Reports that the Prime Minister may finally relent and establish a Commonwealth Royal Commission into the Bondi terror attack and antisemitism are welcome, but words are no longer enough.
The Prime Minister has spoken about unity in the wake of this tragic attack. After weeks of delay and added anguish for victims’ families, unity must now be demonstrated through action. That action must begin with proper consultation on the terms of reference for a genuine Commonwealth Royal Commission. Anything imposed from the top down would repeat the mistakes that have already caused so much hurt.
The Coalition has released draft terms of reference and stands ready to work constructively with the government, victims’ families and all stakeholders to ensure a bipartisan Commonwealth Royal Commission. This process, and its outcomes, must be a point of national unity, not political division.
If the Prime Minister is serious, there is a clear starting point.
Victims’ families must agree the terms of reference are satisfactory before they are finalised. Anything imposed without their confidence would be a continuation of the same disregard they have already experienced.
Beyond that, the Coalition is clear. A Royal Commission must meet three minimum tests.
First, full accountability for executive and ministerial decisions.
The inquiry must examine what Commonwealth and state ministers knew, when they knew it, and what decisions or non decisions were taken in the lead up to the Bondi terrorist attack. Intelligence warnings, information sharing, visa and firearms decisions and executive judgement must be examined without limitation.
Second, a national reckoning with antisemitism and extremist ideology.
The terms of reference must properly cover the systemic rise of antisemitism across Australia, including the role of radical Islamic extremism, as well as far left and neo Nazi extremism. Victims’ families have been clear that antisemitism must be squarely confronted, not minimised or redefined.
Third, a Royal Commission with real powers and real voices.
The Coalition is calling for three Commissioners: a senior judicial figure to lead the inquiry, a representative of the Jewish community with expertise in antisemitism, and a national security expert. Three Commissioners allow the inquiry to address complex legal, community and security issues in parallel, deliver findings more efficiently, and build public confidence. The Royal Commission must also have the power to compel witnesses and documents, protect whistleblowers, and receive submissions from Australians with lived experience of antisemitism who have not been heard by this government.
The Prime Minister has delayed, deflected and talked past those most affected for too long.
If he proceeds now, he must do so on the terms of victims and families, not on his own political timetable.