Bondi Attack Royal Commission: Tackling Hate

In the wake of the Bondi Beach terrorist attack, an inquiry into antisemitism in Australia is underway.

Key Points:

Ms Bell said that the role of the inquiry was not to provide closure to those who were directly affected in the December antisemitic attack at Bondi Beach.

Four key areas that the royal commission will focus on: Tackling antisemitism, making any recommendations to assist law enforcement, examining the circumstances surrounding the Bondi terrorist attack, and any other recommendations arising out of the inquiry for strengthening social cohesion in Australia.

Share your experience, those who make a submission will not be required to publicly give evidence about their experience of antisemitism, unless they wish to do so. To make a submission, visit here.

The Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion was established on 9 January and had its first public hearing on Tuesday morning.

Former High Court judge, the Hon Virginia Bell AC SC, has been appointed as the Royal Commissioner.

No closure

In her opening address, Ms Bell said that the role of the inquiry was not to provide closure to those who were directly affected in the December antisemitic attack at Bondi Beach, which saw 15 people killed, including a 10-year-old girl, and more injured.

“I acknowledge that for some it will never be right to speak of closure,” Ms Bell said.

“But one small part of coming to terms with the events of that evening will be the work of this commission.”

With all states involved in the inquiry, senior counsel assisting the commission, Richard Lancaster SC, said that it was a “truly national imperative to tackle antisemitism”.

What to expect

Mr Lancaster outlined the four key areas that the royal commission will focus on. The topics were first introduced by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in Parliament House on 8 January:

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Tackling antisemitism by investigating the nature and prevalence of antisemitism, examining its key drivers in Australia, including religious and ideologically motivated extremism and radicalisation;

Making any recommendations to assist law enforcement, border control, immigration and security agencies to tackle antisemitism, including through improvements to guidance and training within law enforcement, border control, immigration and security agencies to respond to antisemitic conduct;

Examine the circumstances surrounding the Bondi terrorist attack on 14 December 2025;

Make any other recommendations arising out of the inquiry for strengthening social cohesion in Australia and countering the spread of ideological and religiously motivated extremism in Australia.

“…I trust everyone will appreciate why the focus of this commission will be on tackling antisemitism as a starting point in strengthening our bonds of social cohesion,” Ms Bell said.

Focus on antisemitism

While Commissioner Bell acknowledged that other religions and ethnicities are also subject to prejudice in Australia, the focus of the inquiry will be purely antisemitism.

“Against the background of the massacre of innocent people who appear to have been targeted simply because they were Jewish, I trust everyone will appreciate why the focus of this commission will be on tackling antisemitism as a starting point in strengthening our bonds of social cohesion,” Ms Bell said.

She also pointed out the commission must not interfere with the criminal proceedings against the surviving gunman.

“This commission must do its work without risking any prejudice,” she said.

Ms Bell said she was interested in hearing accounts of antisemitism from Jewish Australians, “at school or at university or in the workplace, or elsewhere”.

Those who make a submission will not be required to publicly give evidence about their experience of antisemitism, unless they wish to do so.

To make a submission, visit here.

In her opening address, Ms Bell acknowledged the bravery of those who confronted the attackers, and those who selflessly ran toward danger to help the wounded.

End date

The Commissioner is required to produce an interim report by 30 April 2026 and a final report by 14 December 2026 – the first anniversary of the attack.

“I am required to deliver my final report … not later than the first anniversary of the Bondi massacre,” Ms Bell said.

“This imposes a tight timeframe, and it’s going to impose limitations on how the commission approaches its terms of reference.”

Atrocity

15 people died and at least 39 were injured when two gunmen – a father and son – opened fire at a “Chanukah by the Sea” celebration at Bondi Beach, attended by at least 1,000 people on the evening of 14 December 2025.

The father was shot dead by police. His son was also shot but survived his injuries. He has been charged with 59 offences, including murder and terrorism.

In her opening address, Ms Bell acknowledged the bravery of those who confronted the attackers, and those who selflessly ran toward danger to help the wounded.

Mr Lancaster called the antisemitic attack on Jewish Australian a “a truly horrifying event”.

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