A royal commission examining the Bondi terror attack will be an impetus for change across the community, Australia’s chief envoy for antisemitism says. Source: Canberra Times.
After weeks of pressure following the December 14 attack, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced a royal commission would be held into antisemitism and social cohesion.
Former High Court judge Virginia Bell will lead the inquiry, examining the nature and prevalence of antisemitism and religiously motivated extremism, and will report back by the one-year anniversary of the attack.
The royal commission was formally kicked off following a meeting on Friday at Governor-General Sam Mostyn’s Sydney residence, Admiralty House, where she signed letters patent setting up the inquiry.
Special envoy to combat antisemitism Jillian Segal said the royal commission would allow for the concerns of the Jewish community to be heard.
“The terms of reference … allow the commission to get to the root of the problem, which is what the community wants, and not just the Jewish community, but the Australian community,” she told Sky News.
Mr Albanese said he had listened to the community’s concerns in setting up the royal commission, having previously argued such an inquiry was not needed.
“We needed to get the right commissioner, the right terms of reference in the right time frame, because we can’t afford to not get this right. It’s essential for bringing the nation together in national unity and building social cohesion,” Mr Albanese said.
Opposition Leader Sussan Ley said the royal commission needed to examine the decision-making within the government.
“Ministers (need to) be called to account,” she told ABC TV on Friday.
“The executive of government needs to answer – effectively in the dock – what warnings were given, what warnings were ignored, what action was taken or maybe not taken.”
The choice of Ms Bell as commissioner had prompted disquiet among some members of the Jewish community because of her previous rulings on protest laws.
Among those to query the choice was former federal treasurer Josh Frydenberg. On Friday, Mr Frydenberg said Ms Bell would be supported as the royal commission “needed to be successful”.
FULL STORY
Bondi royal commission will bring ‘momentum for change’ (By Grace Crivellaro and Andrew Brown, AAP via Canberra Times)
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A royal commission into the Bondi terror attack is going ahead. Here’s what to know (ABC News)
