Virginia Bell assures victims’ families she will probe security, police delays
Updated ,first published
At an intimate meeting at the site of the country’s worst terror attack, Virginia Bell assured survivors of the Bondi Beach massacre that the royal commission she is leading will investigate how long it took police to respond to the shooting and the level of security cover at the Hanukkah celebration.
The former Supreme Court judge toured the scene of the attack Thursday morning and held a two-hour meeting with about 80 survivors, witnesses and relatives of those killed on Dec. 14.
Its meeting comes after the Albanian government announced it would introduce new laws next week to strengthen legal protections for those providing intelligence and operational information to the royal commission and strengthen the commission’s ability to deal with sensitive material.
Bell said this week there had been delays in receiving information from relevant agencies as they sought legal advice on how to interact with the royal commission.
As Bell explained at the royal commission’s first public hearing on Tuesday, he used a private, invitation-only meeting in Bondi to directly explain why he could not admit any evidence of the day-to-day tragedy that could undermine a criminal case over the murders of 15 people.
One attendee, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the meeting was “very productive” and largely reassured those present that Bell was committed to doing everything he could to understand why the persecution was occurring.
“It was impressive,” the participant said.
As well as intelligence failures before the attack, Bell said the royal commission will examine why only two police officers were present at the Hanukkah by the Sea event and how long it took for other officers to arrive on the scene after the gunmen began shooting.
Many survivors questioned how long it took police to arrive in Bondi in significant numbers after the attack began.
NSW Premier Chris Minns defended the police response to the massacre in the immediate aftermath of the attack. “If there are any allegations that NSW Police have failed in their responsibilities to the people of this state, it must be rejected as it is not consistent with the facts,” he said.
Bell held one-on-one meetings with members of the Jewish community to address their concerns.
Sources at the meeting said there was a strong feeling in the room that the royal commission could be rushed as Bell scrambles to meet the government’s December 14 deadline.
While Bell said he was determined to present his report on the first anniversary of the attack, he said he could request an extension of the investigation if absolutely necessary.
He said on Tuesday: “I see it as a matter of critical importance that my report be delivered on or before the one-year anniversary. This imposes a tight time frame and will impose limitations on how the commission approaches its terms of reference.”
Bell told those present at the private meeting that the royal commission did not expect to hold further public hearings until at least the end of March and possibly later.
An angry attendee at the meeting demanded Bell look into alleged bias in ABC’s coverage of Middle East affairs.
At Tuesday’s public hearing, Bell rejected eyewitness testimony about the attack, saying “taking statements from people who could be witnesses in the criminal investigation would create that risk and therefore would not happen.”
“The trial of this person will be an opportunity to uncover evidence of the attack,” Bell said.
While in Bondi, Bell toured the footbridge where alleged gunmen Naveed and Sajid Akram opened fire on those gathered for the Hanukkah celebration.
He also spoke with a rabbi who practices tefillin, a Jewish religious ritual that involves binding black leather boxes containing Hebrew parchment scrolls.
Some survivors have previously expressed confusion and disappointment at not being able to testify at the royal commission about their experiences on 14 December.
Chavi, who survived the gunman and did not want his last name published, said on Tuesday: “This is a unique case and they should let the witnesses tell what happened that day, the fear for your life, for your baby, the fear of gunmen shooting at you.”
“The world needs to know about this and what happened needs to be recorded.”
Attorney-General Michelle Rowland said the government would provide exemptions from confidentiality provisions for people giving evidence to the royal commission, whether compulsory or voluntary.
“The Albanian government will introduce a new framework to ensure that those who provide intelligence or other sensitive operational information to royal commissions can do so with legal immunity,” he said.
“The changes will support the current royal commission to complete its important work, including delivering an interim report by 30 April.
“The royal commission is an important step for Australians to come together and learn from the aftermath of the disgusting anti-Semitic terrorist attack in Bondi.”
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