The recommendations from the interim report of the Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion are tentative, lightweight and backed by scarcely any supporting analysis. Further recommendations must take into account the Netanyahu government’s responsibilty for the stimulation of antisemitism here and around the world. 

Greg Barns is right to welcome the observation in the interim report of the Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion that “there is no suggestion that any legislative reform is required” to help prevent Bondi-style attacks.

That’s not to say that Bell’s report is without its disappointments, some of which may have been inevitable given the ragged history of the Royal Commission’s creation and the circumstances in which it must now operate.

While the Prime Minister appeared flat-footed in the immediate aftermath of the Bondi atrocity, a week after it he announced a review of the role of federal law enforcement and intelligence agencies to be conducted by the former departmental secretary, Dennis Richardson. Richardson would have done a good job but it was seen as insufficient. Voices arose for a having a royal commission, although many of those calling for it may not have been full bottle on the terms of the Commonwealth Royal Commissions Act 1902 or realise what they were asking for.

On 8 January 2026, Albanese relented and a Royal Commission, to be conducted by former justice of the High Court, Virginia Bell, was established. It was asked to provide an interim report by the end of April. Richardson’s review was folded into the Royal Commission to which he was made a ‘special adviser’. That........

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