‘Insulting’: Jewish groups react to PM’s Bondi review
Jewish groups say the promised review into the Bondi Beach terror attack is an “ineffective half-measure” as they continue to call for a federal investigation into antisemitism.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has resisted calls for a national royal commission for a quicker and “safer” solution. independent review process.
Instead, retired intelligence chief and former diplomat Dennis Richardson will examine the actions of Australia’s federal law enforcement and intelligence agencies in the lead-up to the Bondi attack to determine whether they worked as effectively as possible.
However, leaders of the Jewish community and the families of those killed and injured in the attack called on the government to go further.
Daniel Aghion, president of the Executive Council of Australian Jews, said scrutiny of federal institutions would be insufficient.
“We need to understand how antisemitism has reached this level in this country,” he told ABC Radio.
Council co-chairman Alex Ryvchin said the government’s response was insulting and described the review process as an “ineffective measure”.
“Only a royal commission has the coercive authority to understand how this was allowed to happen and what needs to change in this country to prevent the next massacre,” Obama told ABC TV.
“We need the highest form of inquiry available to us and that is a royal commission.”
Monash University public policy expert Deirdre O’Neill said she understood why many in the Jewish community were disappointed.
“They’re looking for answers and they don’t think they’re going to get that from a review,” he told AAP.
“There is a sense that the royal commission has the most significant powers and that this is the most important type of review that can be done.”
But Ms O’Neill said her research into the policy change showed it was not necessarily true that one form of investigation was better than another.
“The thing about royal commissions is that they are seen as the highest possible form of independent investigation,” he said.
“But there are a lot of people who would argue that royal commissions are not that effective.”
Although royal commissions can subpoena witnesses and make recommendations, they do not have the power to enforce their findings, and success often depends on many factors.
These include the job descriptions used, clear descriptions of the problem at hand, advice that might work in the real world, and the resources and time available.
More importantly, it’s often the experts at the helm who make the most difference.
“Richardson will be a highly respected… respected and distinguished figure,” Ms O’Neill added.
NSW Premier Chris Minns has committed to setting up a state-based royal commission, which Mr Albanese supports.
“We have to make sure local communities are safe and that’s my responsibility, we’re not running away from that,” Mr Minns told reporters on Monday.
Sydneysiders will face increased security with police barring long-arms and carrying machine guns as debate continues over arming community guards at Jewish events.
“Anyone who suggests that we can have the same regime, the same process that we had on December 13 is wrong, those days are gone,” Mr Minns said.
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