Bondi victim niece slams PM’s claim a royal commission into antisemitism would be unsafe

Sheina Gutnick, one of the signatories of the letter, and Daughter of Reuven Morrison, shot dead while throwing bricks One of those who shot Bondi said in an interview ahead of the prime minister’s press conference that Albanese and the federal government were “absolutely” responsible for the attack.

“To recognise… Palestine as an official state While Hamas was in power, it added a lot of fuel to the fire. And I think the biggest proof of this is Thank you letter from Hamas Gutnick thanked the Albanian government for the recognition of the state.

“We can have whatever views we need to have as individuals about the current conflict in the Middle East,” he said. “But if current government policies are adding fuel to the fire, they need to be held accountable.”

Asked directly about the families’ request on Monday, Albanese said: “My heart breaks for the families of the victims of the Bondi terror attack and my heart goes out to them at an incredibly traumatic time.”

He has repeatedly argued that a federal royal commission would be too slow, and similar commissions would take years to deliver their findings. While NSW Labor MPs Mike Freelander and Ed Husic have called for support for a royal commission, some other caucus members, speaking on condition of anonymity, fear the Prime Minister will be too stubborn on the issue and bow to the public service.

“We know that agencies and the civil service hate any accountability and they are telling him not to call the royal commission,” one MP said. “I think he was probably deceived by them in that sense.”

After a six-month delay, the government accepted several of the recommendations offered by antisemitism ambassador Jillian Segal; He announced new hate speech laws early next year, a review of law enforcement and intelligence agencies, and reforms to gun laws, including a national buyback program.

A state-based royal commission has been set up by NSW Premier Chris Minns to work with federal agencies. But demands continue to grow from the Jewish community, legal experts and the federal opposition for a Commonwealth royal commission that could force the federal government and its agencies to testify.

The attack occurred on the first night of the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah and was targeted at families gathered for the Hanukkah Seaside event near Archer Park. 13 of the 15 victims were Jews. Demanders include former Supreme Court chief justice Robert French, former intelligence chief Nick Warner, 135 leading lawyers, Jewish community organizations and the Coalition.

The Australian Hindu Council on Monday joined calls for a royal commission into antisemitism, saying it should investigate whether individuals or groups contributed to the hatred that led to the attack. The council itself is being investigated by the Australian Human Rights Council over complaints of Islamophobia.

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Former home affairs boss Mike Pezzullo said only a royal commission could examine the issue comprehensively and critically access the government’s actions or inactions.

“For example, if, in the wake of this heinous attack, it is now deemed appropriate to list and sanction hate organizations, as has been suggested, why was this measure not considered before the attack? Or was it considered and rejected?” he said.

“The royal commission can be properly structured to get to the bottom of the questions and in a sequential manner, so that findings and recommendations can be produced on issues that require urgent attention, while other work packages can proceed in different steps.”

He rejected Albanese’s claim that it was a binary choice between a retired judge and a former public servant, saying the problem was best dealt with by having both.

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“This was the model Mr Keating used when he set up the royal commission into ASIS in March 1994,” he said. “The commission itself will retain control of the proceedings, just as a judge does at a hearing. There is no need for arguments to be admitted and no witnesses to be called.”

Opposition Leader Sussan Ley said the government’s claim that a royal commission would give a platform to antisemitism was “not protective, but arrogant”.

The coalition has proposed its own wide-ranging terms of reference for a royal commission; Albanese has been criticized for this commission being too broad in scope, potentially requiring years of investigation. Ley said he was willing to work with the government to discuss alternative terms.

“The victims’ families want this Commonwealth royal commission. The Jewish community wants it. Distinguished Australians want it. And I suspect millions of ordinary Australians want it too,” Ley said.

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