Opposition Leader Sussan Ley has called on Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to initiate a federal royal commission to investigate the terrorist attack that occurred at Bondi Beach last Sunday.
Ley has put forward a draft of terms for a Commonwealth royal commission, arguing that it would possess more extensive reach and authorities compared to the state-level inquiry suggested by Premier Chris Minns over the weekend.
“Following the atrocity at Bondi, the prime minister’s proposals are inadequate, arriving too late and taking too long to implement,” Ley declared during a press briefing this morning.
Jewish MP emotional as he attacks PM
Joining Ley at the press conference was Liberal backbencher Julian Leeser, who is Jewish and appeared visibly emotional as he addressed the media.
Leeser criticized Albanese’s leadership and his reaction to antisemitism since the events of October 7, 2023.
“The Jewish community in this nation cannot subsist on the negligible efforts of this government and its disappointing prime minister, who consistently arrives late and expects the Jewish community to endure his partial measures for two years,” he expressed.
“I don’t want to see the memories of the 15 Australians who died last Sunday, I don’t want to see their memories being desecrated by this half-measured departmental review that is proposed by this prime minister.
“We need nothing short of a royal commission now.”
Leeser raised his voice and went as far as to say Albanese’s response to the attack was “the most shameful act in the history of our nation”.
“Australia stands humiliated by the failure of leadership of this man, by the failure of leadership which has led to the extraordinary deaths in a terrorist act on the shores of Bondi in this great city of ours,” he said.
Deputy Nationals leader Bridget McKenzie backed her colleague in the Coalition, adding that “to hate Israel is to hate Jews”.
