Labor brands Coalition royal commission plan as “deeply concerning” for social cohesion, as Bondi families demand federal probe

Anthony Albanese has once again ruled out adopting the Coalition’s plan for a federal probe into anti-Semitism, despite mounting pressure from the families of Bondi massacre victims. Last week, the Coalition announced a proposed investigation that would examine a raft of sectors, including the education, arts, media and politics sectors. Mr Albanese earlier had criticised the plan as pointing to “more than 100 areas of investigation” for a commission which could not report for several years. Instead, Mr Albanese has announced the draft terms of reference for a departmental review of law enforcement and intelligence agencies – led by former ASIO chief Dennis Richardson – that will be delivered in April. “The full suite of issues that have been asked to be examined would delay by a number of years, any outcome,” the Prime Minister told reporters in Canberra. “What we need to do is to look at issues immediately, and if the Richardson review finds there are any inadequacies in resources, then that, of course, is something that they can find through that review.” Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke later added the nature of the proposed Coalition inquiry would provide a “platform for some of the worst voices”. “I’ve been deeply concerned in terms of social cohesion, when you think through some of the terms of reference that have been circulated for other forms of inquiry where … the necessary outcome would be to re-platform and provide a public platform for some of the worst statements and worst voices,” he said. “To effectively relive some of the worst examples of anti-Semitism over the last two years. “If a royal commission is to deal with issues like that, they have to provide public evidence for those voices as well. “(The Richardson review) allows us to deal squarely with the urgency of the national security issues.” PM “out of touch”: Littleproud Nationals leader David Littleproud has delivered a scathing assessment of Anthony Albanese’s leadership in the wake of the Bondi massacre, claiming the Prime Minister is “out of touch” with Australians. Mr Albanese has so far resisted calls for a royal commission, arguing that a state royal commission would have sufficient powers in examining the circumstances of the anti-Semitic terror attack. His refusal comes amid increasing pressure from the Coalition, peak Jewish groups, and the families of Bondi victims to launch a national inquiry into anti-Semitism. Speaking to Sky News, Mr Littleproud lambasted the decision to hold off a federal probe, describing the Labor leader as “out of step with a grieving nation (and) grieving families”. “This is his moment and if he walks away from it, or for what seems just like political expedience, then I think the Australian people (will) stop listening to him,” he said. “And that’s the reality of where we’re getting at the moment.” Huge detail in NSW Bondi probe NSW Premier Chris Minns has refused to be drawn on whether a federal inquiry into anti-Semitism is needed after the Bondi attack but revealed a key detail about the promised state probe. “I’m told and I’m advised that there’s ways to ensure that the state-based commission can get access to other jurisdictions and other heads of agencies, and I would expect that to happen,” Mr Minns told reporters at Bondi. The state probe would have access to “any agency, any person, any official, anyone they need to speak to, to get to the answers”, Mr Minns said. He also expressed optimism at the prospect of a criminal trial occurring alongside a state commission. “A criminal trial is incredibly important. That’s how we’re going to get justice for the victims and their families and the community,” he said. “But I think that we can get a discerning judge who has understanding and experience about criminal procedures to give us as many of the answers as possible in a short period of time as possible.” Calls grow for inquiry The daughter of Bondi massacre hero Reuven Morrison, who died from gunshot wounds after trying to protect his loved ones, told Sky News a federal inquiry would help provide accountability for the attack. “We’ve been suffering for the last two and a half years, with the rise of anti-Semitism, we’ve been fearful in our homes, in our schools, in our sports fields, going out in public,” Sheina Gutnik said. “This is something that needs accountability and responsibility, we need to know how it occurred, and we need to ensure that this does not occur again.” Jenny Roytur, the niece of another Bondi victim, Boris Tetleroyd, urged the government to “step up” and launch a federal probe. “When the largest massacre ever directed at the Jewish community, outside of Israel, in Australia is deemed unworthy of a Commonwealth royal commission, there’s something deeply wrong with that,” she told Sky News. ‘We demand answers’: Bondi families Earlier, the loved ones of those killed and injured during the Bondi terror attack wrote an open letter to Mr Albanese, urging him to examine “the law enforcement, intelligence, and policy failures that led to the Bondi Beach Massacre”. “We demand answers and solutions,” they wrote. “We need to know why clear warning signs were ignored, how anti-Semitic hatred and Islamic extremism were allowed to dangerously grow unchecked, and what changes must be made to protect all Australians going forward.” The federal response to the attack has been lacklustre according to the families signing the letter. “Prime Minister, how can you not support a royal commission into the deadliest terrorist attack on Australian soil?” they questioned. “Royal commissions have been established for banks and for aged care.” The terror attack took the lives of 15 people, largely Jewish Australians who had been celebrating Chanukah “in an iconic public space that should have been safe”. Sussan Ley said in the days following the massacre that she was willing to sit down with Mr Albanese to pave the road to a royal commission before Christmas. “This is about truth, accountability and keeping Australians safe,” the Opposition Leader said. “In response to the horror at Bondi, the Prime Minister has announced proposals which are too little, too late and will take far too long.” Only two police officers had been stationed at the event despite the urging of Jewish leaders for increased security at such events in the wake of rising anti-Semitism in Australia. “It is an intolerable situation that no Australian should have to endure,” the letter continues. “Announcements made so far by the federal government in response to the Bondi massacre are not nearly enough. “ … You owe us answers. You owe us accountability. And you owe Australians the truth.” Further anti-Semitic incidents have occurred in the wake of the attack, with a rabbi’s car firebombed in Melbourne’s east in the early hours of Christmas morning. In Western Australia, a man spent Christmas behind bars after he allegedly posted on social media in the wake of the attack in support of the gunmen. A raid on his home allegedly saw police find several firearms, large quantities of ammunition and Hezbollah and Hamas flags. He has been charged with conduct intended to racially harass, carrying or possessing a prohibited weapon and failing to properly store a firearm. The victims’ families referenced the two incidents in their letter, saying the threat toward Jewish people is “real and it is escalating”. “The dangerous rise of anti-Semitism and radicalism in Australia is not going away,” they wrote “We need strong action now. We need leadership now.”