Albanese softens resistance to royal commission into Bondi attack as pressure mounts | Bondi beach terror attack

Anthony Albanese has softened his resistance to a royal commission into the alleged Bondi terror attack, opening the door to a national inquiry amid pressure from victims’ families and some former Labor MPs.

The Prime Minister said he had spoken to Jewish community leaders to “examine everything that is necessary” to respond to the December 14 attack that left 15 dead, while insisting his priority was still on immediate steps, including a review of Australia’s intelligence and law enforcement.

“I’m talking and meeting with people on a daily basis right now to make sure we’re doing everything possible to promote unity and that’s my focus,” Albanese said at a press conference on Tuesday.

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Albanese did not deny it when asked directly to clarify whether he had changed his mind about the decision to set up a royal commission.

The comments mark a change in language and tone from Albanese, who had previously warned that a royal commission would be divisive and could delay urgent changes to prevent a repeat of Australia’s worst-ever terror attack.

The federal government has faced growing pressure from parliament, the media and wider society to establish a royal commission into antisemitism and the Bondi attack.

Open letters from victims’ families, business, sporting figures and some former Labor MPs have called on Albanese to hold such an inquiry, in addition to a more narrowly focused review by former Asio boss Dennis Richardson.

The Law Council of Australia added its weight to those calls on Tuesday, but warned: “The timing, conduct and terms of reference of the Royal Commission should be structured so as not to interfere with ongoing criminal proceedings relating to the Bondi attack.”

Albania and Labor ministers have repeatedly rejected the need for a national inquiry, opting instead for a four-part response that includes the Richardson review; unfinished reforms to address hate speech, immigration and extremist groups; assisting a royal commission based in New South Wales; and implementation of Jillian Segal’s antisemitism review.

But over the past 24 hours, senior government ministers have toned down their hostility towards the royal commission and its defenders.

On Tuesday, senior minister and Albanian ally Mark Butler said the government respected “sincere and sincere” calls for a royal commission, while treasurer Jim Chalmers said: “We understand these calls are coming from a good place.”

While backbenchers Mike Freelander and Ed Husic are the only federal Labor MPs to publicly support a royal commission, Guardian Australia has spoken to several others who privately support a national inquiry that also examines the wider issue of antisemitism.

A Labor Party source said internal pressure had increased over the past week, raising expectations that Albanians would “do something to save face”.

“He’s backed himself into a corner; there needs to be a way out for him,” a Labor source said.

Opposition leader Sussan Ley, who has called for a Commonwealth royal commission into antisemitism, said the possibility of a backflip was welcome.

Ley said the victims’ families must accept the terms of reference.

“The Prime Minister has delayed, deflected and sidestepped those most affected for too long,” he said.

Albanese said his government was discussing with counterparts in NSW how the state’s royal commission would work but did not rule out a federal investigation.

“We’re working with the community and the NSW government to make sure we’re doing everything necessary to make sure we rebuild social cohesion in this country. That’s what people want to see,” he said.

“I want to see a united Australia. I want to see an Australia where someone isn’t targeted because of their faith. I want to see an Australia where someone can live out their faith with pride.”

The Greens have not yet expressed a position on the royal commission, but Guardian Australia understands the party is open to some form of national inquiry examining extremism and the targeting of immigrant communities.

Parliament is scheduled to restart in early February, but is expected to be recalled before then – potentially as soon as next week – to debate hate speech amendments.

On Monday, Ley demanded the government set up a royal commission and called on Albanese to recall parliament as soon as possible. Ley claimed that he should be brought back “before Christmas” to respond to anti-Semitic attacks and that the opposition “must already be dealing with them”. [the new laws] and we are currently examining these in parliament.”

It is unclear how these laws were developed, drafted, finalized and shared for consultation with the Coalition before Christmas. Albanese rejected suggestions that parliament could be recalled before the recess period, saying consultations would begin in the coming days, but did not confirm when parliament would be recalled.

“I have seen some comments suggesting that we can recall parliament and pass this law in a few days, which is complicated, has constitutional problems and needs to be fixed. This is not true,” the Prime Minister said.

“We’re making sure we pass this law the right way.”