Prime Minister Anthony Albanese staunchly defended his decision to appoint former High Court Justice Virginia Bell to lead the royal commission into the Bondi terror attack, asserting she would perform exceptionally well in this role.
After weeks of mounting pressure from various sectors of the Australian community, Albanese capitulated yesterday, announcing the establishment of a royal commission to investigate the tragic incident.
However, some Jewish community leaders have voiced apprehensions regarding Bell’s ability to understand their concerns, given her history as a former NSW Supreme Court judge.
This morning on the Today show, Albanese explained that while multiple candidates had been considered for the position of royal commissioner, Bell emerged as the most qualified choice.
“There was a comprehensive consultation process, and numerous names—over a dozen—were suggested by different parties,” Albanese stated.
“Yet, Virginia Bell stands unparalleled. She is the only former High Court Justice proposed, with a robust background in criminal law and widespread respect across various fields,” he added.
Jewish leaders have welcomed the royal commission, but some have questioned her appointment.
Among them was former Coalition treasurer Josh Frydenberg, a prominent voice calling for a wide-ranging federal inquiry into the Bondi attack.
He said Bell was a “very experienced and top jurist” but questioned her appointment.
“I would have thought after the last two and a half years of terror and trauma, the prime minister would have got the support of Jewish leaders in our country for his choice to head up the royal commission. Before the name was floated publicly.
“That unfortunately did not happen.”
Albanese defended the federal government’s wait in creating a royal commission, insisting he didn’t want a “spontaneous” announcement and needed time to get it right.
“We have spent hour after hour after hour with legal experts as well as with the community,” he said.
“I was in a meeting for four hours days ago, which went through line by line with community leaders.”
The review into the effectiveness of federal agencies in the Bondi attack that is currently underway will be folded into the royal commission, but will still deliver an interim report as expected in April.
The planned NSW royal commission into the incident has been scrapped, following the announcement yesterday.
