Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced the establishment of a royal commission—the country’s most powerful form of independent inquiry—into last month’s deadly shooting at Bondi Beach, following weeks of mounting public pressure.
The attack, which targeted a Jewish festival, claimed the lives of 15 people and stands as one of the deadliest mass shootings in Australia’s history. The incident sent shockwaves across the nation and reignited debate over gun control, antisemitism, and national security.
Albanese had initially argued that swift reforms—ranging from tighter gun laws and hate speech legislation to measures addressing antisemitism and reviews of intelligence and law enforcement agencies—would provide the fastest response. However, after weeks of appeals from victims’ families and community leaders, the prime minister said he had reconsidered.
Speaking in Canberra on Thursday, Albanese said the decision followed “time to reflect” and consultations with members of the Jewish community.
“I’ve repeatedly said that our government’s priority is to promote unity and social cohesion,” he told reporters. “That is what Australia needs to heal, to learn, and to come together in a spirit of national unity. It’s clear to me that a royal commission is essential to achieving this.”
Since the December 14 attack, families of the victims—supported by prominent lawyers, business leaders, athletes, and other public figures—had mounted an almost daily campaign urging the government to reverse course and launch a royal commission.
Royal commissions wield broad investigative powers, including the authority to compel witness testimony, demand documents from government agencies, and provide legal protections to whistleblowers.
According to Albanese, the commission will focus on four key areas:
Investigating the nature, scale, and drivers of antisemitism in Australia
Making recommendations to law enforcement, border, immigration, and security agencies on combating antisemitism
Examining the circumstances surrounding the Bondi Beach attack
Proposing broader measures to strengthen social cohesion and counter ideological and religiously motivated extremism
The prime minister said the work of Dennis Richardson, the former intelligence chief currently reviewing intelligence and law enforcement agencies, would be incorporated into the royal commission. An interim report is expected in April.
Former High Court justice Virginia Bell has been appointed to lead the inquiry. Albanese said he had asked her to deliver a final report by December 2026, stressing that the commission would not become an open-ended process.
“This royal commission is the right format, the right duration, and has the right terms of reference to deliver the outcomes we need for our national unity and our national security,” he said.
Bell’s appointment had drawn some criticism from parts of the Jewish community. Former treasurer Josh Frydenberg said Jewish leaders had expressed “serious concerns” about her nomination, though he did not specify the details.
Attorney-General Michelle Rowland defended the appointment, describing Bell as “an eminent and highly capable former Justice of the High Court of Australia,” and said she was confident the inquiry would be conducted with “impartiality and precision.”
Addressing concerns that the commission could interfere with ongoing criminal proceedings against the alleged gunman, who survived the attack, Albanese said Bell’s extensive background in criminal law made her uniquely qualified to manage those complexities.
He also emphasized that the inquiry was not intended to resolve international conflicts.
“This is not about Gaza or the Middle East,” Albanese said. “The truth is that some Jewish Australians have been unfairly held accountable for views or actions that have nothing to do with them.”
In the immediate aftermath of the attack, state and federal leaders agreed to tighten gun control measures, including limits on the number and type of firearms individuals can own, as well as a national buyback scheme.
Albanese has also pledged sweeping hate speech reforms, including penalties for religious or community leaders who promote violence and the creation of a new federal offence of “aggravated hate speech.”
The government has committed to adopting recommendations from a July report by Australia’s antisemitism commissioner, Jillian Segal. While the report faced criticism over potential impacts on free speech—particularly proposals to monitor universities and arts organisations—Segal welcomed the royal commission announcement.
“This is the right decision and an important one,” Segal said. “It reflects the seriousness of the rise in antisemitism and the profound impact it is having on our country and our democracy.”
