Minns says NSW could still need state inquiry into antisemitism
Premier Chris Minns said he “fully supports” a federal royal commission into antisemitism but said NSW may still need its own inquiry to examine state-specific issues such as the role of the watchdog group providing services to the Jewish community.
Minns said on Friday that “an independent, comprehensive investigation into this appalling crime, the worst terrorist incident Australia has ever experienced” was crucial and a federal royal commission was the best mechanism to achieve this.
“We, like our agencies, will fully comply and cooperate with their investigation,” Minns said. “We expect letters patent to be issued to the Commonwealth government so that our officials can give us access to any information they need so that we can carry out a full and comprehensive investigation.”
But Minns said NSW would no longer have its own royal commission but a state-based inquiry might be needed to examine specific issues, such as the Community Security Group, which has provided security services to the Jewish community for decades.
In the days following the 14 December Bondi terror attack, Minns raised the possibility of providing the CSG with greater weapons carrying capability, describing the move as “a small price to pay”.
CSG personnel may carry handguns while performing security duties in schools and synagogues. But the group’s security license does not allow staff to carry guns at public events such as Hanukkah celebrations, where 15 people were killed.
“We cannot face a situation where the solution to this terrible act of terrorism is to get the Jewish community to say, ‘We can only exist behind great walls and celebrate our faith,'” Minns said at the time.
On Friday Minns said any investigation in NSW would be an independent inquiry, not by the state parliament. He did not disclose his private conversations with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, but emphasized that the decision to establish a royal commission was made by Albanese.
Prime Minister on Thursday bowed to weeks of pressure and launched a federal investigation Circumstances leading to the Bondi attack.
“The truth is, I think there should be more room for political leaders to change their minds if they see the evidence in front of them and if victims, survivors and families speak to them passionately about the need to get to the bottom of this,” Minns said.
“I think it’s a good thing in public life and I think the right decision was made.”
Minns said he had confidence in the royal commission but “there may be elements that need to be investigated quickly as it relates to NSW matters”.
“I don’t want this to mean that we don’t trust the Commonwealth investigation, of course we do, but we may need urgent information that can assist us in making that decision, particularly in relation to CSG’s advice to NSW Police and the arming of CSG.”
Minns also backed the decision to continue banning protests in Sydney.
“I wanted to support Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon’s decision to extend the marches in Sydney by 14 days during this period,” Minns said.
“The weather is hot and passions are running high right now, and the truth is we don’t need any more division and worse on the streets of Sydney at this difficult time.”
On Tuesday, Lanyon extended a 14-day ban on protests on Sydney’s streets for another two weeks; This was just days after 250 people descended on City Hall in an unauthorized rally over the US raid on Venezuela.
Under new anti-protest lawsFixed gatherings are permitted, but police may order action against anyone who causes obstruction or behaves in an intimidating or abusive manner, or anyone who may cause or is likely to cause fear in another person.
The final declaration will last until January 20. Lanyon is free to continue the declaration for up to three months, meaning protests could be restricted until March.
