Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced a wide-ranging royal commission to investigate antisemitism across the country, weeks after a mass shooting at a Jewish holiday celebration in Sydney’s Bondi Beach claimed 15 lives. The announcement was made on Thursday during a press briefing in Canberra.

The commission will examine the nature, prevalence, and underlying drivers of antisemitism in Australia, as well as the specific circumstances surrounding the Bondi attack. Albanese said the inquiry will also focus on improving law enforcement responses, strengthening social cohesion, and countering extremist ideologies.

Describing the shooting as “an antisemitic terrorist attack,” Albanese said it was aimed directly at Jewish Australians and inspired by the Islamic State (ISIS). The attack occurred during a Hanukkah celebration at the popular Sydney landmark. The incident has been described as the deadliest terrorist attack on Australian soil.

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The royal commission, Australia’s most powerful form of government inquiry, has the authority to summon witnesses and demand documents. It will be led by former High Court judge Virginia Bell, with the final report due on December 14—exactly one year after the attack.

The surviving suspect, 24-year-old Naveed Akram, faces multiple charges including murder and terrorism and has not yet entered a plea. His father, Sajid Akram, was shot dead by police during the incident. Investigations into security and intelligence failures will be incorporated into the commission’s work.

The decision follows weeks of growing pressure from lawmakers across party lines, Jewish community leaders, and prominent public figures who called for a national inquiry rather than a state-level investigation. Albanese denied bowing to pressure, stating that listening to public concerns is central to democracy.

In response to the attack, the prime minister also signaled a new legislative agenda, including proposals to further tighten gun laws and criminalize hate speech by extremist preachers. The measures aim to prevent future acts of violence and curb the spread of extremist ideologies nationwide.

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