Could a Royal Commission Address the Bondi Attack?

In late December 2025, a gunman attacked a Jewish community event in Bondi, Sydney, killing 16 people—including one shooter—and injuring 40. The tragedy has sparked nationwide calls for a royal commission, led by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, to investigate antisemitism and security failures. A royal commission, the highest formal inquiry in Australia, can compel witnesses, demand documents, and issue binding recommendations, though the government is not obliged to act on them. Critics argue a commission may be slow, yet past inquiries—such as the 2014 Home Insulation Program review—have produced lasting reforms. The inquiry’s success hinges on clear terms, public safety focus, and actionable, cost‑effective recommendations.