Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has finally announced a royal commission into the devastating Bondi terror attack and the rise of anti-Semitism in Australia, a decision widely seen as necessary but one arrived at after significant public pressure.
A Decision Marred by Political Spin
While the announcement on January 10, 2026, was the correct course of action, the Prime Minister's presentation left many Australians wanting. Instead of a straightforward admission of a prior misjudgment, Mr Albanese framed the royal commission as the outcome of a "considered consultation process." This attempt to portray a clear policy reversal as a planned evolution was widely viewed as unconvincing and politically tin-eared.
For a nation seeking leadership and accountability, the Prime Minister's inability to simply own the initial error was disappointing. However, despite the clumsy political handling, the core outcome is what matters: a royal commission is now established. The political opposition and the traumatised Jewish community, which had to campaign vigorously for this result, have achieved their primary objective.
Commissioner Bell: A Safe Pair of Hands
The government has appointed former High Court justice Virginia Bell to lead the inquiry. Any suggestion that Ms Bell will be anything less than a fiercely independent arbiter is unfounded. She is an eminent jurist with decades of experience in criminal law, a specific expertise critically needed for this task.
This is because the royal commission's work will intersect with the ongoing criminal investigation and prosecution of the surviving alleged perpetrator from the Bondi attack. Ms Bell's deep legal knowledge makes her the ideal person to navigate this complex legal minefield, ensuring the commission does not jeopardise any future criminal trial.
Furthermore, the government has wisely decided to integrate the separate review of security agencies being conducted by Dennis Richardson into the royal commission's work. This sensible move avoids duplication, provides the inquiry with immediate national security insights, and will allow for a quicker interim assessment.
Terms of Reference and the Path Forward
The commission's terms of reference appear comprehensive, with a focused timeframe of one year to prevent the process from becoming bogged down. While some critics have noted the absence of the specific term "Islamic extremism"—an omission that reflects the government's cautious language—the inclusion of "religiously motivated extremism" provides the necessary scope for investigation.
The focus on social cohesion is not a weakness but a vital component. This tragedy demands Australia examine not just the security failures that allowed it to happen, but also the underlying societal fractures it exposed.
Now that the machinery of state is moving in the right direction, it is time for the political class to cease point-scoring. The continued sniping from politicians risks appearing as opportunism rather than genuine concern. The electorate understands the Prime Minister fumbled this issue initially; what they care about now is a robust and fruitful inquiry.
The nation must rally behind this process. The appointment of Virginia Bell provides confidence, and the integrated terms of reference offer a clear path. After a regrettably slow start, the government has, at last, set a crucial course for accountability and understanding.
