Anthony Albanese has signalled a possible shift in his opposition to a royal commission into the Bondi terror attack, as pressure grows from victims' families, business leaders, sporting identities and some former Labor MPs. Asked directly whether he was changing his mind, the prime minister did not rule out a federal inquiry.
The Law Council of Australia added its voice to the calls on Tuesday, but cautioned that any royal commission's timing and terms of reference should not interfere with ongoing criminal proceedings. Albanese has previously warned that such an inquiry could be divisive and delay urgent reforms.
The government has favoured a four-part response, including a review by former Asio chief Dennis Richardson, hate speech and immigration reforms, assisting a New South Wales-based royal commission, and implementing Jillian Segal's antisemitism review. However, senior ministers have softened their tone, with Mark Butler saying the government respected the "sincere and heartfelt" calls, and Jim Chalmers acknowledging they came "from a good place."
While only two federal Labor backbenchers, Mike Freelander and Ed Husic, have publicly backed a royal commission, Guardian Australia has learned that several others privately support one. A Labor source said the internal pressure had been building, and opposition leader Sussan Ley welcomed the prospect of a backflip, insisting that victims' families must agree to the terms of reference.
Albanese said he was in daily talks with Jewish community leaders and the NSW government to build social cohesion, and that parliament might be recalled as early as next week to debate hate speech changes.
