PM Albanese Rejects Victims’ Families’ Call for Federal Royal Commission

CANBERRA : Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has formally rejected a plea from the families of the Bondi Beach terrorist attack victims to establish a Commonwealth Royal Commission, arguing that such an inquiry would be too slow and potentially compromise national security.

In a letter signed by 11 of the 15 victims’ families, the group urged the Prime Minister to investigate the “rapid rise of antisemitism” and the perceived “policy failures” that allowed the massacre to occur.

While expressing that his “heart breaks” for the families, the Prime Minister insisted that the government’s current path—the independent Richardson Review—is the most effective way to address national security gaps.

Rabbi Yossi Friedman speaks to people gathering at the flower memorial by the Bondi Pavilion at Bondi Beach on Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025, following Sunday’s shooting in Sydney, Australia.

“My job as the Australian Prime Minister is to act in the national interest,” Mr. Albanese said. “It is in the national interest for us to do the Richardson review on national security, on any gaps which are there in the conduct of our agencies.”

Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke echoed these sentiments, suggesting that a public royal commission could inadvertently “re-platform” extremist voices.

“When you look at, is it the right way to deal with national security? The answer is no,” Mr. Burke stated. “Is it the right way to deliver unity? The answer again is no.”

Thousands paid tribute to the 15 victims at Bondi.

NSW Premier Chris Minns confirmed that the state-level royal commission will proceed as planned, assuring families that it will “get to the answers” they seek. However, the families maintain that the federal government’s response thus far is “not nearly enough,” seeking a higher level of accountability for federal agencies like ASIO and the AFP.