The Prime Minister’s decision to finally establish a Commonwealth Royal Commission is not an act of leadership, it is an admission that his litany of excuses have collapsed.
The pleas of the families of victims, the Jewish community and the wider community have finally been heeded, but as always, Anthony Albanese has only acted when he judged it was in his political interest.
If the Prime Minister had been as determined to eradicate antisemitism in Australia over the past three years as he has been to avoid this Commonwealth Royal Commission over the past three weeks, our country may not have found itself in the position we do now.
- He attacked the proposal on timing.
- He attacked it as being too broad.
- He asserted he had national security advice against holding one despite being unable to demonstrate such advice existed.
- He claimed that a Royal Commission could not appropriately examine national security information.
This delay was not caution or careful consideration, it was weakness.
This will forever be the Royal Commission Anthony Albanese was forced to have.
Few issues in Australian history have united such a broad and credible coalition against a sitting Prime Minister.
We will review the Terms of Reference released by the Prime Minister today, in consultation with the Jewish community and national security experts, to ensure no stone is left unturned and that every issue that must be addressed can be addressed.
My team and I have been resolute in calling for a Royal Commission, and will continue to hold this government to account whilst advancing our comprehensive and practical package of measures in the Parliament.
The Coalition will do whatever it takes to press for the strongest possible action from the Government to keep Australians safe.
