Bombshell Call for Royal Commission into Bondi Terror Attack: NSW Premier Chris Minns Turns Screws on PM Albanese’s Government
- NSW Premier Chris Minns demands a royal commission into the Bondi attacks, contradicting the Prime Minister’s initial stance
- The move comes as the government faces mounting pressure to explain how the terrorists were able to carry out the deadly attack
- A royal commission could uncover shocking truths about ASIO’s dealings with the attackers and potential intelligence failures
In a dramatic twist, NSW Premier Chris Minns has thrown his support behind calls for a royal commission into the devastating Bondi terror attack, putting him at loggerheads with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s government. The Premier’s move is a major blow to the PM’s initial reluctance to hold an inquiry, and comes as the government faces intense scrutiny over its handling of the tragedy.
“I think we need a royal commission right now,” Mr Minns declared, insisting that a comprehensive investigation is necessary to uncover the full truth behind the attack. “We’ve got bits and pieces of the jigsaw puzzle here, but we don’t have the full picture.”
The Premier’s call for a royal commission has sparked a furious debate, with former Attorney-General Phillip Ruddock insisting that an inquiry is “inevitable” and former Home Affairs Secretary Mike Pezzullo warning that an intelligence failure may have contributed to the tragedy. Other senior officials have also backed the need for an examination of the facts, citing the importance of holding agencies accountable for any mistakes made.
The Prime Minister, however, has been accused of dragging his feet on the issue. Just 24 hours ago, Mr Albanese refused to commit to a royal commission, instead suggesting that the NSW government could hold its own inquiry. But in a sudden about-face, the PM has now indicated that he will support whatever actions the NSW government takes.
The U-turn has sparked outrage among critics, who accuse the government of trying to dodge accountability. “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,” Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke argued, defending the government’s decision to hold off on an inquiry.
But with public anger and frustration simmering, it remains to be seen how long the government can resist the growing calls for a royal commission. As one retired senior intelligence official warned, “You cannot rely on law enforcement or agencies to put their hand up and say, by the way, I got that wrong. They just won’t do that. You’ve got to have an inquiry to satisfy the public that, if mistakes were made, people will learn from them.”