Royal commission interim report prioritises gun reform and policing for Jewish events
Former High Court judge Virginia Bell's panel has issued 14 recommendations, five of which remain confidential due to national security concerns, prompting the Prime Minister to confirm full implementation.
An interim report released by the Royal Commission into antisemitism has recommended that gun reforms be prioritised alongside extending current policing procedures for Jewish high holy days to other high-risk Jewish festivals. The inquiry, led by former High Court judge Virginia Bell and established following the Bondi Beach shooting, issued a total of 14 recommendations. While the commission examined the rise in antisemitism and the events leading to the mass shooting where 15 people were killed, five of the recommendations remain confidential due to national security concerns.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed that a National Security Committee has agreed to implement all recommendations contained within the report. The document specifically calls for state and federal governments to prioritise finalising and implementing an updated, nationally consistent National Firearms Agreement. It also proposes a gun buyback scheme to address the issue of firearm availability in the wake of the tragedy.
Regarding security arrangements, the report suggests that New South Wales police procedures currently utilised for Jewish high holy days should be extended to other high-risk Jewish festivals and events. This extension is particularly recommended for events with a public-facing element. The commission also suggests reviewing joint counter-terrorism teams across Australia to ensure coordinated responses to potential threats.
In a significant shift for federal governance, the recommendations include a requirement for the Prime Minister and national cabinet ministers to participate in counter-terrorism exercises within nine months of each federal election. This measure aims to ensure that senior leadership remains engaged with security protocols and preparedness strategies on a regular basis.
The interim report was issued three weeks after two gunmen opened fire at a Jewish event at Bondi Beach on 14 December last year. The attack, which resulted in the death of 50-year-old Sajid Akram and critical injuries to his son Naveed Akram, remains under investigation. Although Albanese initially resisted calls for a royal commission in favour of a review by former spy chief Dennis Richardson, pressure from victim families and the wider community led to the launch of the federal inquiry.
The first series of public hearings for the inquiry is scheduled to begin on Monday, focusing on defining antisemitism and the lived experiences of Jewish Australians. The final report is due to be delivered on the anniversary of the Bondi Beach shooting, providing a comprehensive conclusion to the investigation into the attack and the broader context of antisemitism in Australian society.
