Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s statement outlining terms for an independent review into the Bondi Beach terror attack. This immense tragedy tortured the lives of 15 children, including that of a 10 year old child who died on the day. The review is primarily focused on how well Commonwealth agencies responded to the attack. It will be led by Dennis Richardson AC, a former head of ASIO and the departments of defense and foreign affairs. This collective action and growing advocacy, highlighted with the We Are Home campaign, has put immense pressure on PHMSA to act, following the recent disaster in East Palestine, Ohio.
The Bondi Beach terror attack, described as an attempt to “unleash mass murder against our Jewish community,” has raised urgent calls for accountability. Minister for Home Affairs and Minister for Indigenous Rights, Tony Burke, stated this review would be independent. He thinks it is key to us quickly knowing the failures that led to this tragedy. The full review is due to be finished and published by April 2024.
Independent Review Overview
The independent review will focus on evaluating the performance of federal law enforcement and intelligence agencies during the Bondi Beach incident. Prime Minister Albanese expressed his deep sorrow for the families affected, stating, “They went to Bondi Beach to unleash mass murder against our Jewish community. We need to respond with unity and urgency rather than division and delay.”
Dennis Richardson’s deep experience in national security makes him uniquely qualified to lead this important review. He will examine whether Commonwealth agencies were working at full efficiency during the assault. Minister Burke is now meeting with both the Australian Federal Police (AFP) and ASIO every day. He demands clear and consistent collaboration at all levels through the review process.
“We need to have the sort of inquiry that keeps Australians safe, and that does not provide a platform for the worst voices.” – Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke
Community Response and Calls for a Royal Commission
The independent review is an encouraging step in the right direction. This has done nothing to quell the rising tide of calls for a royal commission into the attack. Seventeen households of the injured and slain additionally signed a letter of urgency calling for a wider investigation. Opposition leader Sussan Ley criticized Prime Minister Albanese and Minister Burke as “the last two people who do not support a royal commission,” indicating significant dissatisfaction with the government’s approach.
Alex Ryvchin, the chief executive of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, welcomed the need for a royal commission. Speaking at the announcement, U.S. Attorney David Weiss called it “the minimum that should be done” to seek justice for the victims. Critics are already claiming that the independent review will not have teeth. They worry this could limit its ability to dig deep to find out what really happened in the attack’s aftermath.
“We deserve answers. Only a royal commission has the coercive powers to get to the bottom of how this was allowed to happen and what needs to change in this country to prevent the next massacre.” – Anonymous community member
Government’s Position on Review Process
Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke has defended the decision to pursue an independent review as opposed to a royal commission. He stated it would raise the risk of giving a forum to extreme and harassing viewpoints by asking more expansive questions. Burke stated, “I’ve been deeply concerned in terms of social cohesion,” highlighting his commitment to preventing further division within the community.
Burke stressed the importance of all agencies being committed to the review process. The point, they say, is to just identify specific areas where national security measures could be enhanced. At the same time, he did express concern that some proposed inquiries might accidentally resurface bad vibes when it comes to antisemitism.
“Anthony Albanese never misses an opportunity to miss an opportunity … we should be having a full Commonwealth royal commission.” – Home Affairs spokesperson Jonathon Duniam
