Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is privately preparing to reverse his stance and back a royal commission into antisemitism, according to senior political sources.
Internal Pressure Forces Rethink
While the Prime Minister has consistently argued within government that strengthening existing hate-speech laws represents the most urgent and effective response, colleagues confirm he now recognises the political landscape has shifted. Calls for a formal, wide-ranging royal commission are intensifying rather than subsiding, creating pressure that insiders say may be unsustainable to resist.
A Concession Behind Closed Doors
Sources familiar with the high-level discussions have indicated that Mr Albanese has privately acknowledged the growing likelihood that he will have to change his position. This significant concession signals a major potential pivot in the government's approach to tackling antisemitism. However, it is understood that a final decision has not yet been formally locked in by the Prime Minister's office.
Political and Policy Implications
The move from advocating for legislative tweaks to endorsing a full-scale judicial inquiry marks a substantial development. A royal commission would wield greater investigative powers and carry more symbolic weight, representing a comprehensive national examination of the issue. This impending shift suggests the government is responding to both sustained public advocacy and the complex political calculus surrounding community relations and social cohesion.
