PM’s royal commission resistance ‘politically damaging’
Anthony Albanese insisted he was convicted, but his refusal to set up a royal commission into antisemitism could come at a political cost.
The Prime Minister has rejected calls for a full-scale national inquiry from Jewish groups and families of those killed in the Bondi terror attack; instead, he announced an independent investigation into intelligence and law enforcement.
Opposition Leader Sussan Ley came under harsh criticism over the decision, with Opposition Leader Sussan Ley accusing her of “shouting exaggeratedly” about those most affected by the massacre.
“They feel disrespected, they feel belittled,” Ms. Ley said.
Former intelligence chief Dennis Richardson will lead the review of the security ecosystem.
Home Secretary Tony Burke said Mr Richardson was better placed than a retired judge to examine such matters and expressed concern that the royal commission would “re-platform” extremist views.
Mr Albanese said the report would be completed by April, but it would take years for the royal commission to present its findings.
“Our position stems not from comfort, but from our belief that this is the right direction to go,” he told reporters on Tuesday.
Zareh Ghazarian, head of politics and international relations at Monash University, said he found himself in a difficult situation after the prime minister immediately rejected calls for a national royal commission.
“There is a feeling that he may have backed himself into a corner in that he has been very clear that he does not support the royal commission and has stuck to his guns despite mounting calls,” Dr Ghazarian told AAP.
“This is costing the prime minister and the government politically. It’s also costing them their goodwill and debatable support.”
Some royal commissions have resulted in little significant change but have placed systemic problems on the public record.
Indigenous deaths in custody have reached their highest level since 1980, despite the royal commission in 1991 making 339 recommendations, many of which were never implemented.
The disability royal commission lasted four-and-a-half years, with 222 recommendations submitted to the government in 2023.
Asked why antisemitism was not mentioned in the terms of reference for the Richardson review, Mr Albanese said the framework revolved around these issues.
He added that the heads of Australia’s intelligence and law enforcement agencies had recommended against a federal commission.
“If he changes his tune now, there is the potential for him to openly disagree with his current advisors,” Dr Ghazarian said.
“So I suspect politics was heavily involved, but I also think the advice received played a big role in his firm stance.”
The NSW government has set up its own state-based royal commission into the Bondi attack and the prime minister has said he will co-operate with it.
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