Waverley Council to join growing national call for Bondi terror royal commission

Waverley Council will move to formally call for a Commonwealth Royal Commission into antisemitism and the events leading up to the Bondi Beach terror attack.

This move aligns the council with a widening group of legal, business, community and civic leaders who are currently urging Canberra to act.

A mayoral minute is set to be discussed at an extraordinary council meeting on 15 January. It appeals to the Australian Government to establish a federal royal commission with terms of reference broad enough to examine the 14 December 2025 attack and the conditions that allowed it to occur.

Mayor Will Nemesh said the attack had shaken Waverley and the wider Jewish community. He noted that confidence in existing reviews had been eroded and that people deserve answers regarding the horrific events at Bondi Beach.

Nemesh said the case for a federal inquiry has been reinforced by the diversity of voices making the same appeal. He noted that families of victims, senior legal figures, business leaders and faith groups have all reached the same conclusion.

The mayoral minute notes that families of those killed have publicly called for a Commonwealth Royal Commission. They argue that only a federal body can compel evidence and examine intelligence and security settings across different jurisdictions.

Senior members of the Australian Bar and former judges have also warned that a state based process lacks the necessary reach. They believe a federal inquiry is required to properly assess radicalisation and institutional failures that extend beyond New South Wales.

Business leaders working with the Business Council of Australia have made similar arguments. They suggest that rising antisemitism and political violence pose significant risks to social cohesion and investor confidence across the country.

Australian sports leaders have joined the call, saying the Bondi attack marked a rupture in the nation’s sense of safety. Former and current members of parliament from across the political spectrum argue the issue has outgrown piecemeal responses.

Major organisations cited in the motion include the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies and the Rabbinical Association of Australia. The Australian Human Rights Commission and the Hindu Council of Australia are also mentioned.

Nemesh said the breadth of support reflects a shared understanding that antisemitism is a national problem. He believes the rise of antisemitism must be examined because the attack did not happen in isolation.

The motion asks councillors to acknowledge the overwhelming sentiment within the Waverley community for a Commonwealth Royal Commission. If carried, the council will request that the mayor write to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to formally convey the resolution.

Nemesh concluded that the victims and the broader Australian public deserve accountability. He stated that the goal is to learn hard lessons and ensure Australians can gather and celebrate without fear.