Leaders lend weight to calls for Bondi royal commission
Since the terrorist attack on Bondi beach on 14 December that killed 15 people, pressure has been mounting on the Albanian government to establish a royal commission.
* Three separate statements were issued on Thursday and Friday calling for a royal commission; This adds to growing calls from victims’ families, Jewish community leaders and senior silk men
* The first was signed by 130 leaders and prominent Australians from business, law and politics, including former RBA governors Philip Lowe and Glenn Stevens, billionaire James Packer and former Telstra CEO David Thodey.
* “As business leaders and proud Australians committed to upholding our values of tolerance and mutual respect, we recognize the need for clear answers about how the Bondi massacre could have occurred,” the statement said.
* Other signatories include Sydney Swans chairman Andrew Pridham, Afterpay co-founder Anthony Eisen, Venues NSW chairman David Gallop and Tennis Australia chairman Jayne Hrdlicka.
* Australia’s most senior Catholics also joined the call in a separate letter
* Catholic Archbishop of Perth Timothy Costelloe said the Richardson review was an important step to prevent a repeat of the Bondi attack, but the deeper roots of anti-Semitism in Australia needed to be confronted and dismantled.
* The Business Council of Australia also issued a statement calling for a royal commission to be attended by eight other major business associations, including the Minerals Council and the Australian Banking Association.
* Business Council of Australia said: “Ultimately, we hope that a federal royal commission will send a signal to the world that Australia is committed to providing safe and inclusive communities and intends to lead in tackling antisemitism.” he said.
* Prime Minister Anthony Albanese did not respond directly to comments from business and religious leaders on Friday, but insisted a review of intelligence and law enforcement led by former ASIO boss Dennis Richardson was the quickest way to get answers
* The NSW government has announced its own royal commission into which state governments can sit on issues within their jurisdiction
* Mr Albanese says federal government will co-operate with state royal commission
