NSW Premier Chris Minns has promised the state's royal commission into the Bondi Beach terror attack will "get to the answers", just hours after families of the victims called for a federal commission in a scathing letter to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
The prime minister has so far resisted calls for a royal commission, citing the need to push forward with more immediate reforms and changes.
The government has ordered an independent review into the attack and the circumstances surrounding it, which will be due in April next year.
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In contrast, the NSW government has announced it will open a state-based commission, though the dates for it have not been set.
Speaking today at the Bondi Community Hub, Minns said he hoped the commission would open soon.
"We're working with our agencies as well as the Jewish community about terms of reference and an appropriate commissioner," he said.
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"But so, you know, I'd be happy to have it up and running as soon as possible."
He said the commission would have to examine two years of antisemitism, escalating from "chants at a rally" to the Bondi attack.
Minns also said it was important to ensure the commission did not interfere with the trial of accused shooter Naveed Akram.
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"That's how we're going to get justice for the victims and their families and the community," he said.
"But I think that we can get a discerning judge who has understanding and experience about criminal procedures to give us as many of the answers as possible in a short period of time as possible."
Asked about Albanese's reluctance to hold a federal royal commission, Minns said he was unable to comment on Commonwealth decisions but that he expected full co-operation.
"I've been told, and I expect, that any royal commission from NSW will have access to agencies, any agency, any person, any official, anyone they need to speak to, to get to the answers," Minns said.
Albanese has already pledged federal support for the state commission.
'We demand answers'
The grieving families of 11 of the Bondi victims demanded a commonwealth royal commission examine "the rapid rise of antisemitism in Australia following Hamas' attack on October 7, 2023, and the law enforcement, intelligence, and policy failures that led to the Bondi Beach massacre", in a letter published in full in Nine newspapers.
"We demand answers and solutions," they wrote.
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"We need to know why clear warning signs were ignored, how antisemitic hatred and Islamic extremism were allowed to dangerously grow unchecked, and what changes must be made to protect all Australians going forward."
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"Announcements made so far by the federal government in response to the Bondi massacre are not nearly enough," the families wrote.
"Prime Minister, how can you not support a royal commission into the deadliest terrorist attack on Australian soil? Royal commissions have been established for banks and for aged care."
The letter-writers said there was "unprecedented" support for a federal commission as the problem of rising antisemitism extended far beyond state borders.
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"You owe us answers. You owe us accountability. And you owe Australians the truth," they wrote.
Albanese has previously defended his stance by pointing out that no federal royal commissions were held in the wake of the 1996 Port Arthur massacre or the 2014 Lindt Cafe siege.
However, critics - including the families who signed the letter - say that there have been years of escalating attacks on the Jewish community without sufficient response from authorities.
You can read the letter from the victims' families in full below.
The families of those murdered at Bondi call for a commonwealth royal commission
We, the families of those killed and injured in the Bondi Beach massacre, call on the Prime Minister to immediately establish a Commonwealth Royal Commission into the rapid rise of antisemitism in Australia following Hamas' attack on October 7, 2023, and the law enforcement, intelligence, and policy failures that led to the Bondi Beach massacre.
We demand answers and solutions.
We need to know why clear warning signs were ignored, how antisemitic hatred and Islamic extremism were allowed to dangerously grow unchecked, and what changes must be made to protect all Australians going forward.
As proud Australians and proud Jews, we have endured more than two and a half years of relentless attacks. Our children feel unsafe at school and university. Our homes, workplaces, sporting fields, and public spaces no longer feel secure. It is an intolerable situation that no Australian should have to endure.
Announcements made so far by the federal government in response to the Bondi massacre are not nearly enough.
Prime Minister, how can you not support a Royal Commission into the deadliest terrorist attack on Australian soil? Royal Commissions have been established for banks and for aged care.
We have lost parents, spouses, children, and grandparents.
Our loved ones were celebrating Chanukah at Bondi Beach, a festival of light and joy, in an iconic public space that should have been safe.
You owe us answers. You owe us accountability. And you owe Australians the truth.
Senior legal, security, and political leaders from across the country have come together in an unprecedented display of public support for a Commonwealth Royal Commission. The rise of antisemitism in Australia goes far beyond one state jurisdiction. It is a national crisis that demands a powerful national response.
In just the past few days following the Bondi attack, a Jewish family's car was firebombed, and a man in Western Australia was arrested after posting messages of support following the Bondi attack while stockpiling weapons and in possession of Hamas and Hezbollah flags. This threat is real, and it is escalating.
The dangerous rise of antisemitism and radicalism in Australia is not going away.
We need strong action now. We need leadership now.
You cannot bring back our loved ones. But with a well-led Commonwealth Royal Commission and strong action, you may be able to save many more.
Abesidon Family
Amzalak Family
Britvan Family
Brutman Family
Goldhirsch Family
Gurman Family
Gutnick Family
Joseph Family
Kastel Family
Kleytman Family
Levitan Family
Morrison Family
Schlanger Family
Tetelroyd Family
Tretiak Family
Ulman Family
Weitzen Family