Antisemitism envoy says Bondi royal commission can drive change

A royal commission examining the Bondi terror attack can drive meaningful change across Australian society, the nation’s special envoy to combat antisemitism says, as political pressure builds for federal ministers to be called to account.

Australia’s special envoy for antisemitism, Jillian Segal, welcomed the formal establishment of the inquiry, saying its terms of reference would allow deep examination of antisemitism and the conditions that allowed the Bondi attack to occur.

“The terms of reference allow the commission to get to the root of the problem, which is what the community wants,” Ms Segal told Sky News. “Not just the Jewish community, but the Australian community.”

She said antisemitism could not be treated as a marginal issue and required a whole-of-society response.

“It’s been embedded throughout our society,” she said. “I’m very pleased that this process can create momentum for change across the country.”

The royal commission was formally established on Friday after Governor-General Sam Mostyn signed the letters patent at Admiralty House in Sydney.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced the inquiry on Thursday after weeks of pressure following the December 14 attack at a Chanukah gathering at Bondi Beach, in which 15 people were killed. The commission will be led by former High Court justice Virginia Bell and will examine the nature and prevalence of antisemitism and religiously motivated extremism, as well as the circumstances surrounding the attack. It is due to report by the end of the year.

Opposition Leader Sussan Ley said the inquiry must scrutinise decision-making inside the federal government and called for ministers to be compelled to give evidence.

“Ministers need to be called to account,” she told ABC TV. “The executive of government needs to answer what warnings were given, what warnings were ignored, and what action was taken or not taken.”

Ms Ley criticised the Prime Minister for resisting a royal commission for weeks, arguing Australia would be in a stronger position had antisemitism been confronted earlier.

Mr Albanese said decisions about who would be called to testify would be left to the royal commissioner. He said he had changed his position after meeting families of victims and survivors.

“The last funeral was just two days ago, and I have listened,” he told Seven’s Sunrise. “We needed the right commissioner, the right terms of reference and the right time frame. We cannot afford to get this wrong.”

The appointment of Ms Bell initially caused unease among some members of the Jewish community due to her previous rulings on protest laws. Former federal treasurer Josh Frydenberg said the community would now back the commissioner to ensure the inquiry succeeded.

“Now that Virginia Bell has been appointed, the Jewish community will get behind her and provide all the evidence and testimony needed to get practical recommendations,” he told ABC TV.

 

with JWire