Anthony Albanese backs Chris Minns’ call for state-based inquiry into Bondi shooting

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has lent his support to a state-based royal commission into the events that led to the deaths of 16 people in last Sunday’s Bondi terrorism attack after NSW Premier Chris Minns said that now was the time to use the powers of a wide-ranging inquiry to determine what went wrong.

But the Coalition along with independent MP for Wentworth Allegra Spender are calling for a federal investigation into the shooting as the government is scrutinised over the proliferation of antisemitism in Australia and apparent gaps in intelligence before last weekend’s deadly attack.

Albanese said on Saturday that he had discussed the possibility of an inquiry into last week’s shooting with Minns and had offered his support.

“I will support whatever actions the NSW government take. We are working in lockstep,” Albanese told reporters in Canberra.

Minns said an inquiry was needed to work out the “full picture” of the circumstances that led to last Sunday’s atrocity.

“We’ve got bits and pieces of the jigsaw puzzle here, but we don’t have a full picture. And until we’ve got a full and accurate picture of exactly how this happened, with a plan to ensure that it doesn’t happen again, then I don’t have answers to the people of NSW about what happened on Sunday,” he told reporters in Sydney.

Federal Opposition Leader Sussan Ley called on Albanese to immediately establish a Commonwealth royal commission – the highest form of inquiry in Australia.

“I publicly invite the prime minister to sit down with me and Jewish community leaders as soon as Shabbat ends tonight so that we can draft the terms of reference on a bipartisan basis,” Ley said in a statement.

“A Commonwealth royal commission, guided by the input of Jewish community leaders and national security experts, will provide recommendations on how governments can address, respond and improve in the wake of this horrific event.”

Spender, whose electorate of Wentworth takes in Bondi, also added her voice to calls for an investigation that could accept public submissions and be developed in consultation with the Jewish community.

“Whatever we call this inquiry, we must act quickly, and it must be broad-ranging and independent, with investigatory powers akin to a royal commission and holding both state and federal governments to account,” she said in a statement.

“The inquiry head should have a continuing role with responsibility for monitoring the progress by government at all levels against their recommendations, and report back regularly to ensure public accountability for implementation.”

The federal government has said its priority is on taking immediate action to crack down on hate speech and tighten gun laws. Albanese’s ministers have opposed a royal commission, saying it would take too long and draw resources away from law enforcement.

Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said on Thursday: “The last thing I want is the delays that happen on a royal commission ... we need to put everything right into making sure we are keeping people safe and doing everything to make sure this does not happen again.”

On Saturday, Albanese said that the national security committee’s daily meetings would continue over the weekend, and cabinet would reconvene on Monday.

After attending a service at the Great Synagogue in Sydney on Friday night, Albanese confirmed that he would attend the Bondi memorial service on Sunday – which has been declared a “day of reflection” – and said he was consulting the Jewish community on establishing a permanent memorial at Bondi.

Opposition home affairs spokesman Jonno Duniam said a state-based investigation would not go far enough to investigate the national organisations charged with protecting Australians.

“Unfortunately, the issues related to the massacre that occurred … does involve Commonwealth agencies, does involve security and intelligence agencies that are not under NSW jurisdiction,” he told reporters in Hobart.

“So a NSW royal commission is great, and we are pleased to see this leadership being shown by Chris Minns, but we do need a Commonwealth royal commission. Antisemitism and the rise of it in this country does not stop at the NSW border. It’s everywhere.”

Former Liberal treasurer Josh Frydenberg accused Burke of hiding from accountability and said he needed to answer questions over the massacre because “on his watch, we have seen the deadliest terrorist attack in Australia’s history”.

“He doesn’t want a royal commission because that would lead to delays in the response. Well, he’s been delaying for 2½ years, and now the question must be asked what does he have to hide from a royal commission and the special powers that it will bring?” Frydenberg told Sky News.

Burke’s office was contacted for comment.

Spender also called for a cabinet-level minister for social cohesion to be established, which Duniam said the opposition would support if it could guarantee an end to the perpetration of antisemitism.

Albanese said his government had prioritised social cohesion.

“Look at the work that we have done in areas like multicultural affairs, we prioritise that, but the first priority must be keeping people safe, and that is what we have done.”

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