Prominent Australian business figures and senior Catholic clergy have united in a powerful call for a Commonwealth royal commission. They are demanding a thorough national investigation into antisemitism, radicalism, and the events that led to the devastating Bondi beach terrorist attack on December 14.
A Coalition of Influence Demands Answers
This push for a high-level inquiry gained significant momentum with the publication of an open letter on Friday, signed by at least 120 distinguished leaders. The signatories include former Reserve Bank of Australia governors Philip Lowe and Glenn Stevens, billionaire James Packer, and former Telstra chief executive David Thodey. They are joined by a broad coalition of sporting figures, politicians, and university chancellors.
The letter, published across multiple media outlets, argues that the nation faces a crisis requiring a response that transcends politics. "This is a national crisis, which requires a national response. This goes beyond politics, it’s about the future of our country," the letter states. The signatories express a need for "clear answers as to how the Bondi massacre could occur" to restore social cohesion and safeguard all Australians.
Government Response and Broader Concerns
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's government has so far resisted these mounting calls for a royal commission, which have also come from the victims' families, Jewish groups, and legal experts. Instead, the Labor government has established a review led by former ASIO boss Dennis Richardson. This review will focus on the responses of intelligence and law enforcement agencies.
However, critics believe this does not go far enough. In a separate letter also released on Friday, Australia's most senior Catholic bishops added their voices to the demand for a broader inquiry. Archbishop of Perth Timothy Costelloe, president of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference, acknowledged the Richardson review as important but stressed the need to confront deeper societal issues.
"It is only by shining a light into the dark corners of our society ... that we can hope to unmask the anti-Semitism which might otherwise go unseen, unacknowledged and unaddressed," Costelloe said. He argued for a wider, national inquiry with the authority to probe the roots of antisemitism in Australia.
Symbolic Tribute and Lasting Tensions
The calls for action follow a poignant tribute during Sydney's New Year's Eve celebrations, where a menorah was projected onto the pylon of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. This act honoured the victims of the Bondi attack, highlighting the community's grief and solidarity.
The open letter from business leaders specifically calls for an end to "the unprecedented harassment, intimidation and violence" targeting the Australian Jewish community since the Hamas incursion into Israel on 7 October 2023. That event, which sparked the ongoing conflict in Gaza, has led to increased tensions and security concerns domestically.
While the federal government has confirmed that a New South Wales state-based royal commission will have federal agency cooperation, Prime Minister Albanese remained unswayed by further pressure on Thursday. This followed a statement from Human Rights Commissioner Lorraine Finlay, who declared a national probe "essential". The Prime Minister cited advice from "actual experts," including Richardson and security agency heads, in favour of the current departmental review.
