Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has signaled a shift in his stance on a national inquiry into the Bondi terror attack, opening the door to a possible royal commission as pressure mounts from victims’ families, former Labor MPs, and other key community figures.
While Albanese stressed that immediate priorities remain focused on reforms and reviews to prevent a repeat of the December 14 attack, which claimed 15 lives, his comments suggest an openness to exploring a broader inquiry into the circumstances surrounding Australia’s worst terrorist incident in decades.
“I’m talking and meeting on a daily basis with people to make sure that we do everything that is possible to … promote unity at this time, and that is my focus,” Albanese said during a press conference on Tuesday.
When asked directly whether he was reconsidering a royal commission, the prime minister did not rule it out. His remarks mark a noticeable change in tone from previous statements, in which he cautioned that such a commission could be divisive and potentially delay urgent measures to strengthen national security.
The federal government has faced intensifying calls from across political and social spheres for a royal commission into the Bondi attack and the broader issue of antisemitism. Open letters from victims’ families, business leaders, sporting figures, and former Labor parliamentarians have urged Albanese to convene a national inquiry alongside the narrower review being conducted by former ASIO head Dennis Richardson.
On Tuesday, the Law Council of Australia lent its support to calls for a royal commission, while emphasizing the need to ensure that any inquiry would not interfere with ongoing criminal proceedings. “The timing, conduct and terms of reference of any Royal Commission should be structured so as not to interfere with ongoing criminal proceedings,” the council said in a statement.
Despite Albanese and senior Labor ministers previously dismissing the need for a federal inquiry, the government’s stance has softened in recent days. Instead of outright rejection, ministers are now emphasizing careful consideration of community concerns while highlighting the four-part response framework the government is pursuing.
Labor has outlined a four-part response to the Bondi attack:
Richardson Review: A detailed examination of the intelligence and law enforcement agencies’ preparedness and response to the attack.
Legislative Reforms: Reforms aimed at hate speech, immigration policies, and the regulation of extremist groups.
NSW Royal Commission: Support for a state-based royal commission in New South Wales.
Antisemitism Review: Implementation of recommendations from Jillian Segal’s review of antisemitism.
Senior ministers, including Mark Butler and Treasurer Jim Chalmers, have acknowledged the sincerity of calls for a federal royal commission. Butler described the appeals as “sincere and heartfelt,” while Chalmers noted, “We understand that those calls are coming from a good place.”
Although only backbenchers Mike Freelander and Ed Husic have publicly backed a national inquiry, sources within Labor indicate that several MPs privately support examining antisemitism at a federal level. One Labor source told Guardian Australia that internal pressure is mounting for Albanese to find a way to respond, suggesting the prime minister is looking for a politically viable path forward.
“He has backed himself into a corner — there needs to be a way out for him,” the source said, highlighting the delicate balance between maintaining government priorities and addressing public and political expectations.
Opposition and Community Voices
Opposition leader Sussan Ley welcomed the possibility of a policy shift, calling it a long-overdue response to victims’ families and affected communities. “The prime minister has delayed, deflected and talked past those most affected for too long,” she said. Ley has repeatedly demanded a Commonwealth royal commission into antisemitism and urged parliament to be recalled promptly to address the issue.
Albanese, however, has indicated that discussions with the NSW government remain ongoing to determine how a state-level royal commission might function alongside federal considerations. He emphasized that community engagement is central to rebuilding social cohesion following the tragedy.
“We are engaged with the community, as well as with the NSW government, to make sure that we get done everything that is required to make sure we build social cohesion back in this country. That is what people want to see,” Albanese said.
The prime minister also underscored the broader social implications of the attack, asserting that Australia must remain a place where people are not targeted because of their faith. “I want to see an Australia that’s united. I want to see an Australia where someone, because of their faith, is not targeted. That they’re able to practise their faith, and with pride,” he said.
The Greens have yet to announce a firm position on a royal commission, though sources suggest the party is open to some form of national inquiry examining extremism and the targeting of migrant communities.
Parliament is scheduled to resume in early February, but discussions are ongoing about recalling it sooner to debate legislation addressing hate speech. Ley has argued that parliament should have been brought back before Christmas to respond to the Bondi attack, asserting that the government should have already begun reviewing the proposed laws.
Albanese rejected claims that parliament could have been recalled prior to the holiday period, noting that the legislation involves complex constitutional considerations and must be properly drafted before presentation. “I’ve seen some comments which suggest that we could have recalled parliament and done this legislation, which is complex, which has constitutional issues, which needs to be got right, in a matter of days. That’s not right,” he said.
“We are making sure that we get this legislation right,” he added, emphasizing the importance of careful, measured steps rather than rushed responses.
Albanese’s apparent softening reflects the tightrope the government is walking between addressing immediate security concerns, respecting victims’ families, and navigating political sensitivities. A federal royal commission would provide a comprehensive review of systemic issues, including intelligence, law enforcement preparedness, and antisemitism, but could also draw criticism for delaying urgent reforms and reopening societal wounds.
Within Labor, sources indicate that privately many MPs see a royal commission as a politically necessary measure to maintain public confidence while addressing longstanding community concerns about antisemitism and extremism. For Albanese, the challenge lies in balancing the immediate policy response with longer-term reconciliation and oversight mechanisms.
Community leaders have welcomed Albanese’s willingness to engage but stress that a meaningful inquiry must go beyond procedural reviews. Jewish community organizations have called for a national investigation into systemic antisemitism, extremist networks, and the societal factors that contributed to the Bondi attack.
“This is not just about one incident; it’s about ensuring that Australia addresses the underlying issues that allow hatred and violence to fester,” one community representative said. “We hope the government’s willingness to listen translates into concrete action.”
Business leaders, cultural figures, and sports personalities have also added their voices, emphasizing the importance of national leadership in fostering unity and preventing further attacks.
The coming weeks are expected to be critical in determining whether a federal royal commission will be convened. Albanese has indicated ongoing discussions with NSW authorities and community leaders, signaling a cautious approach that seeks to balance urgency with inclusivity.
While the timeline for parliamentary action remains uncertain, the debate over a royal commission underscores broader national concerns about extremism, community cohesion, and Australia’s preparedness to prevent future acts of terrorism.
For Albanese, the stakes are high. He must navigate complex political pressures, meet the expectations of victims’ families, and reassure a concerned public — all while ensuring that legislative and security reforms are implemented effectively. The potential decision to convene a federal royal commission could mark a significant turning point in Australia’s response to one of its most devastating acts of domestic terrorism.
