Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has issued an apology to Australia’s Jewish community following a horrific attack at Bondi Beach, where terrorists motivated by ISIS ideology allegedly claimed 15 lives and injured 40 others.
During a vigil held at Bondi on Sunday night to honor the victims, Albanese faced boos from the crowd, while Labor NSW Premier Chris Minns received enthusiastic applause.
On Monday, for the first time, Albanese addressed the intense emotions and criticism from the public, who felt his administration had failed to address antisemitism before the tragic events unfolded.
“I bear the responsibility for this atrocity occurring during my tenure as Prime Minister,” he expressed during a press briefing in Canberra.
“I apologize for the suffering experienced by the Jewish community and the nation at large,” he continued.
Albanese also introduced his Cabinet’s proposed measures to address the attack, which include revisions to visa regulations and restrictions on hate speech, all part of a broader effort to combat antisemitism.
But he resisted a push by the Opposition to order a federal Royal Commission into what led to the worst terrorist attack in Australian history.
Anthony Albanese (pictured) has apologised to the Jewish community after the Bondi attack
Albanese also acknowledged booing against him at the vigil on Sunday night at Bondi Beach
Albanese suggested a Royal Commission would take too long to set up and deliver its findings.
‘We want urgency and unity, not division and delay,’ he said.
Albanese also said that the Opposition proposal was too broad.
‘If you have a look at the broader issues that are proposed by the opposition, they are in education, the arts, culture, migration… the university sector, into Home Affairs, into the relationship between the Commonwealth and States and the nature of our Federation,’ he said.
‘What we need to do is to work immediately.’
The NSW government has suggested running a Royal Commission where federal agencies, such as ASIO and the Federal Police, would participate, rather than a full national inquiry.
Powers under consideration by the government include creating an aggravated offence for hate preaching that advocates violence against protected groups, and increasing penalties for existing hate speech offences – particularly those that advocate violence or property destruction.
Another measure would make hateful motivations a factor in sentencing for Commonwealth crimes.
The government has also proposed new powers to list prohibited hate organisations, making it a criminal offence to join, recruit or support any group named by the Home Affairs Minister and Attorney-General.
Draft options for fresh racial vilification or racial supremacy offences are under consideration.
Albanese (pictured) is under growing pressure to establish a Royal Commission into the Bondi Beach terrorist attack
Visa cancellation powers could be strengthened, allowing the Home Affairs Minister to revoke visas from individuals suspected of promoting hate speech, displaying hate symbols, or associating with terrorist or banned hate groups.
The government also plans to introduce a new mechanism to target extremist groups that have evaded terrorist listings by avoiding explicit calls for violence.
Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said organisations such as radical Islamic group Hizb ut-Tahrir and the National Socialist Network have exploited legal loopholes to spread hate without crossing the threshold into illegality.
Under the proposed framework, authorities will be able to prescribe and ban groups whose conduct is considered unacceptable or unlawful, even if they do not meet the strict definition of a terrorist organisation.
Hizb ut-Tahrir, accused of infiltrating pro-Palestine protest organisations in Australia, is already a proscribed terror group in the United Kingdom, and has been banned in countries such as France, Indonesia and most Arab nations.
‘Their behaviour needs to be unlawful, their behaviour needs to be enough that we can prescribe the organisation and prohibit their activity in Australia,’ Burke said.
Asked about the possibility of recalling Parliament early, Albanese declined to give a direct answer, saying drafting new legislation would require time and consultation.
