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17h ago

Albanese Launches Royal Commission Into Antisemitism and Social Cohesion After Bondi Attack

Former High Court justice Virginia Bell will lead the national inquiry, which absorbs Dennis Richardson’s agency review and is due to report by 14 December 2026.

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Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (Image: AAP/Hilary Wardhaugh)
Floral tributes outside Bondi Pavilion at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Steve Markham)
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 21: Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (C), his wife Jodie Haydon (2nd L), Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles (2nd R) arrive for a memorial for the victims of the mass shooting that took place last week at Bondi Beach on December 21, 2025 in Sydney, Australia. Life slowly returned to normal at Bondi Beach, with people from all walks of life still paying respects and tributes as raw grief and funerals gave way to commemorations. Police say at least 16 people, including one suspected gunman, were killed and more than 40 others injured when two attackers opened fire near a Hanukkah celebration at the world-famous Bondi Beach, in what authorities have declared a terrorist incident. The government is moving to tighten gun laws across the country. (Photo by Izhar Khan/Getty Images)

Overview

  • Cabinet endorsed establishing a Commonwealth probe with powers to compel evidence in response to the December 14 mass shooting that killed 15 at a Hanukkah event.
  • Terms of reference span four areas, including investigating the drivers and prevalence of antisemitism, examining the Bondi attack’s circumstances, and recommending reforms across law enforcement, border, immigration and security agencies to strengthen social cohesion.
  • The Richardson rapid review of intelligence and federal agencies will feed into the commission, with findings expected in April before the broader inquiry concludes.
  • The separate NSW process and the police investigation continue, and the prime minister said the federal inquiry will not prejudice criminal proceedings against the surviving accused.
  • Some Jewish community leaders questioned whether Bell commands full community confidence, and the government is expected to recall parliament this month to advance tougher gun laws, a buyback scheme, new hate‑speech offences and expanded visa‑cancellation powers.