CANBERRA – Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has formally established a federal Royal Commission to investigate the December 14 Bondi Beach mass shooting. The inquiry will be led by former High Court Justice Virginia Bell and is tasked with examining both the security failures leading up to the attack and the broader rise of antisemitism in Australia.
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The Royal Commission will focus on two critical pillars:
- The Bondi Shooting Investigation: A deep dive into how shooters Sajid and Naveed Akram obtained high-powered weaponry and why the attackers were not intercepted by national security agencies despite being “on the radar.”
- Social Cohesion & Extremism: An analysis of the “drivers and prevalence” of antisemitism in Australia, looking at how extremist ideologies are spreading across the country.
Background on the Tragedy
The move comes in response to the ISIS-inspired attack during a Hanukkah celebration last month, which resulted in 15 deaths and 40 injuries. While Sajid Akram was killed by police at the scene, his son Naveed remains in custody facing 59 criminal charges.
Next Steps and Timeline
- Dual Reviews: While Justice Bell handles the Royal Commission, a secondary review by former intelligence chief Dennis Richardson will specifically audit the performance of the AFP and ASIO.
- Deadline: The Commission is expected to deliver its final findings by December 14, 2026, marking the first anniversary of the attack.
