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Bondi Attack Inquiry Head Warns Social Cohesion May Take Years to Rebuild

The head of Australia's royal commission into the antisemitic Bondi Beach attack has stated that strengthening national social cohesion will be the work of years, not months. Former High Court Justice Virginia Bell emphasized the commission's critical role in helping Australians understand the scourge and impact of antisemitism. The inquiry will examine the conduct's drivers and how law enforcement protects the Jewish community, aiming for a final report before the first anniversary of the December attack. It has already issued dozens of notices to government agencies but will not hear eyewitness evidence to avoid prejudicing the criminal case against the alleged gunman.

Key Points: Bondi Attack Inquiry: Social Cohesion a Multi-Year Effort

  • Inquiry head warns of long road to social cohesion
  • Commission to examine antisemitism's drivers and prevalence
  • Final report due before attack anniversary
  • Dozens of government agencies issued notices
  • Will not hear eyewitness evidence to avoid prejudicing trial
2 min read

Strengthening Australian social cohesion could take years, says Bondi attack inquiry head

Head of Australia's antisemitism royal commission says strengthening social cohesion after Bondi attack is work of "years, not months." Inquiry seeks public submissions.

"years, not months - Virginia Bell"

Sydney, Feb 24

The head of a major inquiry into the antisemitic terror attack at Sydney's Bondi Beach in December said on Tuesday that it could take years to strengthen social cohesion in Australia.

Former High Court Justice Virginia Bell, who was appointed by the federal government to lead the royal commission on antisemitism and social cohesion, said in her opening statement on the inquiry's first day on Tuesday that the work of the commission would help Australians come to terms with the attack.

The royal commission was established by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in January, almost one month after 15 people were killed in the fatal mass shooting that targeted a Jewish event at the iconic beach on December 14.

Bell said that it is of critical importance that the inquiry hands down its final report before the first anniversary of the attack, but warned that strengthening social cohesion would be the work of "years, not months."

Bell said she was interested in hearing from Jewish Australians who had experienced antisemitism, "whether at school or at university or in the workplace, or elsewhere", and making a submission online did not commit them to giving evidence in public.

She said that the royal commission would not hear evidence from eyewitnesses of the attack so as not to prejudice criminal proceedings against the surviving alleged gunman Naveed Akram, Xinhua news agency reported.

The senior counsel assisting the royal commission, Richard Lancaster, said that dozens of notices have been issued to federal and state government agencies to appear before the inquiry and produce relevant documents.

"A large part of the work of this commission will be to present evidence to allow a broader understanding of the scourge of antisemitism, its nature and prevalence throughout Australian society and its impact on the lives of fellow Australians," he said.

The inquiry is expected to hand down an interim report by April 30.

The commission will identify antisemitic conduct and its drivers in Australian society, examine how law enforcement and security agencies were tackling antisemitic conduct and protecting the Jewish community and look at the circumstances leading up to the attack.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

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Sarah B
It's good they are being realistic about the timeline. Social cohesion isn't built with a single report. As someone who has lived in multicultural cities, the real work happens in schools, workplaces, and neighborhoods every single day.
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Priya S
My heart goes out to the victims' families. Such senseless violence. The inquiry focusing on the "drivers" of antisemitism is crucial. We must understand the root causes, not just the symptoms. Hope the interim report in April provides some clear direction.
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Rohit P
Respectfully, while the inquiry is necessary, I worry it might become another bureaucratic exercise. "Issuing notices to government agencies" sounds like it could get bogged down. The focus must remain on actionable outcomes for the Jewish community's safety.
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Michael C
A sobering reminder that no society is immune to hate. The commission's work to document experiences in schools and workplaces is vital. Education is the long-term antidote to prejudice.
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Kavya N
As an Indian, I see parallels with the need for social harmony here. It's a continuous effort. Glad they are allowing online submissions to encourage more people to share their stories without the pressure of public testimony. That's a thoughtful approach.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

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