NSW Premier pushes for Royal Commission into Bondi terror attack
NSW Premier Chris Minns has pressed for a Royal Commission into the Bondi terror attack, saying it is the only way the public will know what happened in the massacre.
He described the attack, which claimed the lives of 15 people, as “the most serious incident to affect NSW in decades” and added that if there was ever a time for such “exceptional service”, that time was now.
The call for an inquiry was met with a cold response from Prime Minister Anthony Albanese; Asked directly about Mr Minns’ call, Mr Albanese said: “What we continue to do at this point is to take action and we are taking action.”
Two gunmen opened fire at the Chanukah by the Sea event in Bondi on Sunday. Sajid Akram, 50, died in a shootout with police; His 24-year-old son Naveed faces 59 charges, including murder, and has not yet entered a plea.
Speaking on Saturday, Mr Minns said that although the criminal investigation was ongoing, a Royal Commission was the answer to providing a “comprehensive look” and “accurate picture” of how the horrific events unfolded.
“The sooner we get a comprehensive understanding of what happened and an independent investigation … we can begin the process of making changes to make sure we’re doing everything possible to prevent this from happening again,” he said.
“Until we have a full and accurate picture of exactly how this happened and a plan to ensure it doesn’t happen again, I will not have answers to the people of NSW about what happened on Sunday.”
Mr Minns was speaking as restrictions on cheering and commentary in the state were announced.
Shortly afterwards, Mr Albanese held a press conference where he was asked about the Royal Commission’s proposal and said he would “support any action the NSW Government takes. We are working in concert.”
Minister Tony Burke and Chancellor of the Exchequer Jim Chalmers were cool to the idea of a Royal Commission throughout the week.
Mr Burke said on Wednesday that “the last thing I want is delays to the royal commission”, while Mr Chalmers said he did not want law enforcement to be “delayed or deterred” by an investigation.
Shadow home secretary Jono Duniam praised Mr Minns’ effort and said a state Royal Commission would not be enough.\
He said: “The issues surrounding the massacre that took place, the anti-Semitic killings committed on Sunday… do not concern Commonwealth agencies, security and intelligence agencies that are not under NSW jurisdiction.
“So the NSW Royal Commission is great and we are pleased to see Chris Minns showing that leadership, but we need a Commonwealth Royal Commission.”
