Australian PM announces royal commission into Bundy shooting

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced the establishment of a royal commission into the country’s most powerful independent inquiry into last month’s Bondi Beach shooting.

The attack on the Jewish holiday killed 15 people, making it one of the deadliest in the country’s history.

Albanese has previously said reforms to gun ownership and hate speech, measures to address anti-Semitism and reviews of intelligence and law enforcement agencies provide the quickest response.

But after weeks of public pressure, he said on Thursday a royal commission was the best solution after he had “taken time to reflect” and meet with the Jewish community.

“I’ve said many times that the priority of our government is to promote unity and social cohesion, and that’s what Australia needs to heal, to learn, to come together in a spirit of national unity,” he told reporters in Canberra. “It’s clear to me that the royal commission is critical to achieving that.”

Since the December 14 attack, there has been an almost daily campaign by victims’ families and public figures including lawyers, businessmen and athletes calling on him to change his approach and establish a royal commission.

Royal commissions have broad investigative powers, the ability to subpoena witnesses and compel agencies to produce documents. It can also provide legal protection for whistleblowers.

Albanese said the committee will review four key areas. They include:

• Investigating the “nature and prevalence of anti-Semitism” and its “key drivers” in Australia
• Make recommendations to law enforcement, border immigration and security agencies to address anti-Semitism
• Examine the circumstances surrounding the Bundy attack
• Make any other recommendations to strengthen social cohesion and combat the spread of ideological and religious extremism

The prime minister said the work of former spy chief Denis Richardson, who oversees the review of intelligence and law enforcement agencies, will be included in the royal commission, with an interim report expected in April.

Albanese said former Superior Court Judge Virginia Bell has been appointed to lead the commission, adding that he had asked her to submit a report by December 2026 and “it won’t be a lengthy process”. Previous royal commissions took years.

“This royal commission is the right form, the right deadline and the right terms of reference to deliver the right results for our national unity and our national security,” Albanese said.

Rumors that Bell would be appointed had earlier drawn criticism from the Jewish community.

Former treasurer Josh Frydenberg said Jewish leaders had informed the prime minister before Albanese’s announcement that they had “grave concerns” about her appointment, without specifying what they were.

Justice Minister Michelle Rowland, speaking alongside Albanese, said Bell was “an outstanding and highly capable former judge of the High Court of Australia and I have no doubt she will examine the complex issues ahead with impartiality and precision”.

Responding to concerns that the royal commission could interfere with criminal legal proceedings against the surviving gunman, Albanese added: “That’s one of the reasons why we chose someone with a background in criminal law who has held senior positions in Australia’s Supreme Court and High Court. That said, she is the most qualified person we could possibly consider.”

He added that the investigation was not intended to “provide solutions to problems in Gaza or the Middle East.”

“The fact is that there are people who are holding Jewish Australians accountable for views or actions that they object to and that have nothing to do with them,” Albanese said.

In the days after the attacks, state and federal leaders agreed to tighten gun controls, including limits on the number of guns anyone can possess and the types of guns they can possess, as well as buyback programs.

Albanese also promised hate speech reforms, including punishing preachers and leaders who promote violence and creating a new federal crime of “aggravated hate speech.”

He previously said his government would adopt recommendations made in a July report by Anti-Semitism Commissioner Jillian Segal.

Her report was criticized by some after its release for its impact on free speech, such as plans to monitor universities and arts organizations and withhold funding if they were deemed to be failing to take action against anti-Semitism.

Speaking alongside the prime minister on Thursday, Siegel said the government’s decision was “the right and important one.”

“This really reflects the seriousness of the growth of anti-Semitism and its impact on our country and our democracy,” she said.