Australian PM Stands by Decision to Hold Off on Anti-Semitism Royal Commission

Politicians say a national Royal Commission into Australian anti-Semitism is the only suitable option as Albanese announces departmental reviews instead.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese attends memorial for Bondi victims on Dec. 21, 2025. Izhar Khan/Getty Images

Despite harsh criticism, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has defended his decision to hold off on a national Royal Commission into anti-Semitism.

Addressing those criticisms in a media conference on Dec. 22, the Prime Minister said timeliness was a factor in order to have developmental reviews in place of a Royal Commission.

Having it run alongside a planned NSW Royal Commission and his departmental views would slow the process down, Albanese said.

“What we need to do is to work immediately,” he told reporters.

“The idea that we would have multiple royal commissions as well as a review running at the same time is going to simply delay action.”

Albanese Introduces Reviews

A Royal Commission into Australian anti-Semitism maintains strong support from the broader political spectrum including some Labor MPs.

But what the federal government announced in its place on Dec. 21, was a review into Australia’s federal law enforcement and intelligence agencies.

In a brief statement, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced the move as part of a number of measures put forth in the wake of the Dec. 14 Bondi terror attack, which claimed the lives of 15 people during a Jewish Hannukah celebration.

“The Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet will examine whether federal law enforcement and intelligence agencies have the right powers, structures, processes and sharing arrangements in place to keep Australians safe in the wake of the horrific anti-Semitic Bondi Beach terrorist attack,” Albanese said in a statement.

“The ISIS-inspired atrocity last Sunday reinforces the rapidly changing security environment in our nation. Our security agencies must be in the best position to respond.”

The review is set to be overseen by former defence and foreign affairs secretary and one-time intelligence chief Dennis Richardson.

It will build on the work of Richard Maude and Heather Smith’s Independent Intelligence Review, which was released in 2024, and be provided to the government by the end of April 2026, at which time it will become publicly available.

Leader’s Decision Criticised

It wasn’t long before Albanese’s announcement drew the ire of others, including former federal politician Josh Frydenberg, who took to swearing in his response.

“Prime Minister, your announcement of an internal departmental review of law enforcement and intelligence agencies is wholly inadequate,” he said on X.

“To use an Australian colloquialism, it’s bull[expletive].

“It’s weak, it’s wrong, it’s an abrogation of your first and fundamental duty to protect all Australian citizens after the deadliest terrorist attack on Australian soil at Bondi beach.”

Frydenberg said a departmental review would not “go to the heart” of Australia’s issues and radicalisation, which he said had “exploded” under the Prime Minister’s watch.

“Prime Minister, what are you afraid a Commonwealth Royal Commission will uncover?” Frydenberg asked.

“You supported Royal Commissions into the banks, veterans, aged care and welfare system.

“Now 15 innocent souls, including 10-year-old Matilda, have been murdered by radical Islamists and all you are prepared to commit to is an internal departmental review?”

Frydenberg said anti-Jewish violence had “metastasised” into Australian society.

Liberal MP Julian Leeser told media a Royal Commission was the only way the truth could come to light.

“The tsunami of hate is not just an attack on Jewish Australians, it’s a threat to every Australian,” he said.

“This departmental review can’t call witnesses, it can’t compel evidence in a public forum. It can’t allow the stories of the two years of anti-Semitic hate to be told and retold.”

Labor MPs, Ley Back Royal Commission

Mounting pressure for a royal commission has also come from Labor MPs Ed Husic and Mike Freelander.

“We need a federal Royal Commission,” Husic told The Australian Financial Review, while Freelander told the same publication “... there are national issues, so the national government needs to be the one dealing with it.”

Support for a Royal Commission has also come from New South Wales Labor Premier Chris Minns.

Opposition Leader Sussan Ley issued a statement where she invited Albanese to meet with her, and senior Jewish leaders, to discuss potential terms of reference as a bipartisan collective.

“At a minimum, it must investigate the rise of anti-Semitism, government inaction that allowed hideous anti-Semitism to fester in the days, weeks, months and years since 7 October 2023 across Australia, as well as the effectiveness and powers of Australia’s counter-terrorism system,” she said on X.

Ley urged the urgent recalling of federal parliament in order to legislate a Royal Commission.

Royal Commission Reasonable: Jewish Leader

Australian Jewish Association CEO Robert Gregory said lessons needed to be learned and the only way to do so would be with a full inquiry.

“There needs to be a Royal Commission into the failures that led to the Bondi Beach attack,” he told The Epoch Times.

“Only a powerful, independent inquiry with broad investigation powers can uncover what went wrong.”

Gregory noted the government had instigated royal commissions into multiple national issues.

“Given the scale and impact of the Bondi Beach attack, the deadliest terrorist attack on Australian soil in which 15 people were killed, it is reasonable to ask for the same thorough examination,” he said.

“An independent process would help restore public confidence and ensure lessons are learned.

“The only reason I can think of as to why the government is resisting calls for a Royal Commission is because they are worried about what it will uncover.”

The Prime Minister’s office was contacted for comment.