Hopes Bondi royal commission can create lasting change
A landmark royal commission into antisemitism and social cohesion must deliver affordable and simple recommendations to achieve lasting change, a legal expert warns.
Anthony Albanese’s decision to abandon the state investigation comes after weeks of intense lobbying by Jewish groups, business leaders and the opposition following the December 14 Bondi terror attack.
In the attack of father and son Sajid and Naveed Akram, who opened fire on Australian Jews celebrating Hanukkah, 15 people died and dozens were injured.
Former Supreme Court justice Virginia Bell will lead the investigation, examining the nature and prevalence of anti-Semitism and religiously motivated extremism, and report on the one-year anniversary of the attack.
Harry Hobbs, professor of law and justice at the University of New South Wales, said there had been more than 140 royal commissions in Australian history and the research was clear on what types of recommendations were more likely to be implemented.
“Generally speaking, you want proposals that are practical, affordable and simple… because they are more likely to be accepted,” he told AAP.
“If they are complex, costly, difficult and controversial, they are less likely to be implemented.”
Dr Hobbs said the 2013-14 royal commission into the Rudd government’s home insulation program was a good example of a short, sharp investigation.
“Reforms were implemented and that led to change,” Dr Hobbs said, but acknowledged that some research dealt with more complex issues that were harder to answer with simple recommendations.
Opposition Leader Sussan Ley slammed the prime minister’s call, saying he had been forced to relent after continued pleas from the community.
“The Prime Minister’s decision to finally establish a Commonwealth royal commission is not an act of leadership; it is an admission that his constant excuses have collapsed,” Ms Ley said in a statement.
The Prime Minister initially rejected calls for a royal commission in favor of an independent inquiry led by former ASIO boss Dennis Richardson, insisting it had been recommended by “real experts”.
He said he was taking time to reflect after meeting with families of victims and survivors of the Bondi attack on Thursday.
“I’m so grateful to hear people’s stories in people’s homes… to talk to rabbis, to talk to the community,” he said on ABC’s 7.30 program.
The decision was welcomed by Jewish groups, who said lessons should be learned to avoid further bloodshed.
The Australia/Israel and Jewish Affairs Council said: “The attack in Bondi did not occur in a vacuum. It took place against the backdrop of an unprecedented rise in antisemitism across Australia.”
The Greens called for the royal commission to also tackle Islamophobia and “other extremist elements” as part of its mission for social cohesion.
“The strongest national response will depend on bringing multicultural Australia together to strengthen our values of tolerance, democracy and respect,” acting leader Sarah Hanson-Young said.
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