Post by : Meena Ariff

Australia is set to hold a royal commission inquiry into the tragic mass shooting at Bondi Beach that claimed 15 lives, announced Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. This move comes amid growing public demands for answers and national healing.

The attack, carried out on December 14, targeted a Hanukkah celebration near Bondi Beach. The alleged perpetrators, Sajid Akram and his son Naveed, are believed to have been inspired by ISIS ideology, marking the worst mass shooting in Australia in three decades.

The royal commission will conduct a thorough investigation into various aspects, including intelligence failures and the growing issue of antisemitism in the country. Families of victims, community leaders, and public figures have urged the government to launch a comprehensive inquiry.

Initially focused on urgent responses, the Prime Minister eventually agreed to the royal commission under increasing pressure, emphasizing the importance of national unity.

The inquiry will be led by former High Court judge Virginia Bell and is expected to hold public hearings that may last for years. Sajid Akram was killed during the police response, while his son Naveed, an Australian citizen, faces terrorism and murder charges.

This horrific event has prompted Australia to reflect deeply on issues of hate, security, and gun control. Intelligence agencies are under scrutiny, particularly as Naveed Akram had been flagged by security services in 2019 but was later deemed not an immediate threat.

A review of intelligence responses due in April will be integrated into the royal commission’s work. Victims’ families have called for urgent answers and solutions to prevent such tragedies, highlighting the need to address antisemitism and extremism.

Officials acknowledge that anti-Jewish prejudice has been growing in Australia, affecting social cohesion and democracy. The Akram family’s recent travels to the southern Philippines raised concerns about possible extremist links, though police maintain no evidence of a broader terrorist network.

In response, the government has announced a major gun buyback scheme aimed at reducing firearms on the streets. This effort marks the largest such initiative since the 1996 reforms following the Port Arthur massacre, reflecting Australia's commitment to stricter gun laws and combating hate speech.

#Global News