Canberra, January 8: Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Wednesday ordered a nationwide investigation into antisemitism following a deadly shooting at a Jewish holiday event at Sydney’s Bondi Beach that claimed 15 lives.
The inquiry will be conducted through a royal commission, Australia’s most powerful form of independent public investigation, and will be headed by former High Court judge Virginia Bell. Albanese said the commission would examine the extent, causes, and underlying factors behind antisemitism in Australia, as well as scrutinize the circumstances surrounding the Bondi Beach attack. The panel is expected to make recommendations on law enforcement responses, social cohesion, and measures to counter extremism. Findings are slated for submission by December 14, marking one year since the Hanukkah celebration attack.
“This was an antisemitic terrorist attack, aimed at Jewish Australians, inspired by ISIS, the deadliest that has ever occurred on Australian soil,” Albanese said, referring to the Islamic State group.
The lone surviving suspect, 24-year-old Naveed Akram, faces multiple charges, including murder and terrorism, and has not yet entered a plea. His father, Sajid Akram, was fatally shot by police during the incident.
The announcement follows weeks of calls from across the political spectrum, as well as appeals from Jewish community representatives and public figures urging the federal government to launch a national inquiry rather than a New South Wales-led probe. Albanese dismissed claims that his decision was driven by pressure, saying, “I have listened. In a democracy, that’s a good thing.”
Albanese also confirmed that a previously launched review of Australia’s security and law enforcement agencies, initiated after the attack, would now be incorporated into the royal commission. In addition, he outlined proposed legislative measures in response to the shooting, including plans to further tighten gun laws and criminalize the speech of so-called hate preachers, which the government says often falls below the legal threshold for prosecution.
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