Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced a federal royal commission into the Bondi terror attack and anti-Semitism, marking a significant reversal after weeks of resisting relentless public and political pressure.
Mounting Pressure Forces a Government Reversal
The decision, announced late on Thursday, January 8, 2026, comes 25 days after the devastating attack at Bondi Beach. On December 14, 2025, two alleged gunmen, believed by authorities to be motivated by Islamic State ideology, stormed a Jewish holiday event. The assault resulted in 15 deaths and dozens of injuries, marking it as the country's worst-ever terrorism incident.
Calls for a high-level national inquiry began almost immediately. Former Coalition Treasurer Josh Frydenberg was among the first to publicly demand "unprecedented and strong action," directly criticising the Prime Minister. His stance was quickly echoed by peak Jewish community groups, Independent MP Allegra Spender, and the federal opposition, who urged Mr Albanese to recall Parliament before Christmas.
Initially, the Prime Minister firmly rejected these calls. On December 22, he argued that royal commissions often take "years and years" and advocated for a NSW-led inquiry instead, alongside a federal review of intelligence agencies. "We want urgency and unity, not division and delay," Mr Albanese stated at the time.
A Groundswell of Demand from Victims and Experts
Despite the government's position, pressure continued to build. Multiple Labor MPs broke ranks to support a commission. In a powerful intervention, former Chief Justice of the High Court Robert French declared a "moral imperative" for a federal inquiry.
The campaign reached a crescendo around the New Year. In an emotional open letter on December 29, relatives of 11 victims pleaded with Mr Albanese to investigate "why clear warning signs were ignored." A rising chorus of business, sports, and legal leaders joined the call. By January 5, former Labor MPs and senior party figures were also urging the establishment of a royal commission into the attack and the "broader ecosystem of terror and hate."
Mr Albanese publicly softened his stance for the first time on January 6, telling reporters he was meeting daily with community leaders to promote unity. This shift paved the way for the official announcement just two days later.
A Commission on a Tight Deadline
The Prime Minister has promised this will not be a drawn-out process. The commission, to be led by a yet-to-be-named commissioner (referred to in planning as Justice Bell), is due to report by December 14, 2026—exactly one year after the massacre.
The inquiry will incorporate the work of former ASIO chief Dennis Richardson, who was already reviewing the security response. Australia's special envoy to combat anti-Semitism, Jillian Segal, will also provide advice. The terms of reference will be designed to avoid prejudicing the criminal trials of the alleged shooters, a process that could take about two years in the NSW court system.
Following the federal announcement, NSW Premier Chris Minns confirmed the previously planned state royal commission would be dropped in favour of the national one. A recommended cost for the commission will be considered ahead of the May 2026 federal budget.
The Bondi commission is the fastest to be called this decade, compared to other recent inquiries. The Royal Commission into the Robodebt Scheme was established two years after initial calls, while the Royal Commission into Veteran and Defence Suicide took over a decade of campaigning before it was convened.
