Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has shrugged off criticism from Australia’s Jewish community as he announced former High Court Judge Virginia Bell will lead a federal Royal Commission into antisemitism in Australia.
Announcing the inquiry in Canberra on Thursday, Albanese acknowledged weeks of criticism over his government’s delay.
‘While we’ve been focused on these immediate actions, we’ve also listened to calls for a Commonwealth royal commission,’ he said.
Albanese outlined that the Commission will focus on four main areas, including ‘investigating the nature and prevalence of anti‑Semitism’.
The inquiry will also examine how enforcement and border agencies respond to anti‑Semitic behaviour, review the circumstances surrounding the Bondi terrorist attack on 14 December 2025, and deliver broader recommendations to strengthen social cohesion.
He emphasised the investigation would be tightly managed, with a conclusion deadline of 14 December 2026.
‘This won’t be a drawn‑out process,’ he said, insisting the commission would not jeopardise any future criminal proceedings.
Albanese argued the inquiry is essential for national unity: ‘An attack on Jewish Australians is an attack on all Australians.’
Ex-High Court Justice Virginia Bell (picture) will lead the Commonwealth Royal Commission
He also vowed continued action on hate speech, gun laws and extremism, saying the Royal Commission is designed to ‘strengthen’, not replace, existing measures.
The move has already drawn backlash from sections of the Jewish community, including former Liberal treasurer Josh Frydenberg.
Frydenberg, once the Coalition’s most senior Jewish MP, was among the loudest critics of Albanese’s choice on Wednesday night.
‘The Prime Minister has been told directly by leaders of the Jewish community that they have serious concerns about this appointment,’ he said.
‘This is a time for unity and national healing.’
Albanese is expected to confirm the appointment on Thursday afternoon after cabinet signed off on the multi-million probe.
Labor has faced growing scrutiny since the December 14 attack, with Jewish community leaders, families of Bondi victims, sporting figures, and high-profile legal, business and civic leaders all demanding a transparent and comprehensive inquiry.
Reports that Justice Bell was under consideration triggered immediate concerns.
Critics pointed out that Justice Bell had previously presided over the Brown v Tasmania case, a landmark High Court ruling that struck down Tasmania’s anti-protest laws on constitutional grounds.
Anthony Albanese has faced growing scrutiny since the December 14 attack, with Jewish community leaders, families of Bondi victims, sporting figures, and high-profile legal, business and civic leaders all demanding a transparent and comprehensive inquiry
Frydenberg urged the Prime Minister to pick a commissioner whose leadership could deliver the answers and solutions Australia ‘urgently needs’.
The reasoning from that decision was later used by the NSW Supreme Court to overturn the Minns government’s attempt to block a pro-Palestine march across the Sydney Harbour Bridge last year.
The protest made headlines when an image surfaced showing a demonstrator holding a photo of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, near the front of the rally and close to senior politicians.
‘After more than two years of unprecedented hate, harassment and violence directed towards the Jewish community, culminating in Australia’s deadliest terrorist attack at Bondi Beach, it is unthinkable the Prime Minister would choose a commissioner who did not have the total confidence of the Jewish community,’ Frydenberg said.
Opposition frontbencher Jonno Duniam also raised concerns about Justice Bell, suggesting a panel of three commissioners would be more appropriate.
‘We think three would be a good number, as seen in a number of other Royal Commissions,’ he told ABC Radio on Thursday.
Senator Duniam added that leaders of the Jewish community and victims’ families should be comfortable with whoever leads the probe.
Justice Bell (centre) previously led the investigation into Scott Morrison’s multiple-ministries scandal
‘Those leading the commission should be acceptable to the victims’ families and the community affected by the events in Bondi. That is the test,’ he said.
We think three would be a good number, as seen in a number of other Royal Commissions,’ he told ABC Radio on Thursday.
Senator Duniam added that leaders of the Jewish community and victims’ families should be comfortable with whoever leads the probe.
The Opposition has called for the inquiry to be led by a legal expert, a national security expert and a Jewish community leader.
However, Ben Saul, a widely respected international law expert and the United Nations’ special rapporteur on human rights, said Ms Bell is highly regarded, fair and impartial.
‘It is time to stop politicising any Bondi inquiry,’ Professor Saul said.
Justice Bell previously led the investigation into Scott Morrison’s multiple-ministries scandal and served as a High Court judge from 2009 to 2021, following nearly a decade on the NSW Supreme Court.
