Independent MPs join call for Bondi royal commission
Pressure continues to mount on the prime minister to establish a national royal commission into the Bondi Beach terror attack after independent MPs sent him a letter demanding stronger action.
The federal government has so far rejected calls from the Jewish community, business leaders, sports stars and politicians for a full-scale investigation into the December 14 shooting and anti-Semitic sentiment in the community.
Police are still investigating the country’s worst mass shooting in nearly 30 years, when a father-son duo killed 15 people and injured many more at a Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach in Sydney’s east.
Tim Ayres, a leading figure in the federal Labor Party, warned that the royal commission could risk delaying the government’s response to the massacre.
He argued other investigations were already underway, including former spy chief Dennis Richardson and the NSW royal commission’s review of Australia’s intelligence agencies into the tragedy.
“This is the time to act urgently, to focus on unity in Australia,” Senator Ayres told ABC TV on Monday.
“This is not the time to do things that are politically expedient or politically easy,” he said.
Independent federal MPs Monique Ryan, Kate Chaney, Sophie Scamps and Zali Steggall are the latest to write to Anthony Albanese demanding a federal royal commission.
“Only a federal royal commission will have the power to comprehensively and independently investigate the circumstances leading to the attacks and the authorities’ response to them, and to examine the actions and coordination at all levels of government,” the joint letter said.
The four MPs also called for changes to hate speech laws, action against anyone trying to incite hatred and more funding to protect the Jewish community.
“Australia has been the most successful multicultural country in the world,” they said.
“It may still happen, but we must ensure that all our communities can practice their culture, traditions and beliefs safely and free from persecution.”
Other independents such as Sydney MPs Allegra Harsama and Nicolette Boele, ACT senator David Pocock, Tasmanian MP Andrew Wilkie and South Australian Rebekha Sharkie have previously expressed support for a national royal commission.
The latest letter follows similar calls from sports legends and business leaders, including James Packer.
On Sunday, Olympians Dawn Fraser, Ian Thorpe, Grant Hackett and Nova Peris joined nearly 60 other athletes to demand a federal royal commission.
The NSW government has already promised a state-based royal commission, but critics argue the inquiry will not adequately investigate potential federal failings before the Bondi attack.
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