Bondi victims’ families back inquiry, seek answers
Families of those killed in the Bondi terror attack are relieved that a Commonwealth royal commission will be set up, but say many questions remain unanswered.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s announcement was welcomed by Jewish groups, legal bodies and business leaders who lobbied for the national inquiry.
The four key areas that former Supreme Court justice Virginia Bell will examine are the nature and prevalence of anti-Semitism, recommendations for law enforcement, examining the circumstances surrounding the December 14 attack, and strengthening social cohesion.
Jenny Rotyur, the niece of Boris Tettleroyd, who was fatally shot at a Hanukkah gathering at Bondi Beach, cannot understand why it took Mr Albanese so long to launch the inquiry after 25 days of lobbying.
“Why was he sitting on his hands for so long?” he told AAP.
Asked whether he was upset that the Jewish community had to campaign for a royal commission while grieving the tragedy, Mr Albanese said he had listened to their concerns.
“I understand from listening to bereaved families and others in the Jewish community that they want the issue of anti-Semitism to be addressed more broadly,” he told Seven’s Sunrise on Friday.
“Of course I’m sorry for the pain and what they’re going through. My heart breaks for them.”
Sheina Gutnick, daughter of Bondi victim Reuven Morrison, also repeated her call for key areas to be investigated in the inquest to be identified.
“It is a huge relief that he has taken this step to announce the royal commission,” Ms Gutnick said.
“But we are waiting for a working definition of social cohesion and what exactly that will cover, so we can understand what will be covered.”
Both said Mr Albanese had not met them.
“Personally, my family has not heard from Albanese or anyone from his office,” Ms. Gutnick said.
“This is quite disappointing and disheartening, especially when he said he had consulted with the families and shared their pain with him.”
On Friday, Mr Albanese defended himself against criticism from the opposition, saying the royal commission had been called in “record time”.
Monash University public policy expert Deirdre O’Neill pointed out that a royal commission was established in Victoria just days after the Black Saturday disaster in 2009.
Former Liberal prime minister Malcolm Turnbull announced a royal commission the day after disturbing footage was broadcast on the ABC’s Four Corners in 2016 showing the mistreatment of children at the Don Dale detention facility in the Northern Territory.
“I wouldn’t necessarily say we’re comparing comparable situations,” Associate Professor O’Neill said, noting that the growing support in favor of the Bondi inquiry had become “impossible to ignore”.
Assoc. Dr. O’Neill said the public should not prejudge the investigation or the royal commissioner.
“I think and hope that this royal commission will make a really positive contribution to the important issues it addresses,” he said.
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