The report is expected to be released on 14 December, one year after the attack occurred during a Hanukkah festival at Bondi, one of Australia’s most famous beaches.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Thursday announced a major nationwide inquiry into antisemitism, weeks after two gunmen killed 15 people at a Jewish event on Bondi Beach.
“I’ve said many times that our Government’s priority is to promote unity and social cohesion. That’s what Australia needs to heal,” Mr Albanese told reporters as he announced the establishment of a royal commission for this purpose.
In Australia, royal commissions are the highest level of public inquiry, with broad powers.
Mr Albanese told reporters in Canberra that the inquiry would be led by former High Court Justice Virginia Bell, adding that it would examine the nature, prevalence and drivers of antisemitism in general, as well as the circumstances of the Bondi shooting.
The judge may also make recommendations on law enforcement, strengthening social cohesion and countering the spread of extremism.
The report is expected to be released on 14 December, one year after the attack occurred during a Hanukkah festival at Bondi, one of Australia’s most famous beaches.
“This was an antisemitic terrorist attack, targeting Jewish people in Australia, inspired by ISIS – the bloodiest attack ever on Australian soil,” Mr Albanese said, referring to the extremist group Islamic State.
The surviving suspect, 24-year-old Naveed Akram, faces dozens of charges, including murder and terrorism. The second gunman, Naveed’s father Sajid Akram, was shot dead by police during the attack.
The announcement comes after weeks of pressure from lawmakers across all major political parties, some Jewish community leaders and other public figures, such as prominent athletes, calling for a national royal commission rather than a state-level inquiry in New South Wales, where the incident occurred.
Initially, Mr Albanese argued that such a comprehensive inquiry could take too long, but today he rejected suggestions that he had been pressured into changing his decision.
“I’ve listened,” he said, commenting that “in a democracy, that’s a good thing.”
Mr Albanese has launched an inquiry into Australia’s security and police agencies following the attack.
The Prime Minister also plans to introduce legislative measures in response to the attack, including tightening Australia’s already strict gun control laws and criminalising the speech of so-called “hate preachers”.