NSW Premier Chris Minns Under Fire for ‘Staying Silent’ on Calls for Federal Royal Commission into Bondi Terror Attack
- Opposition Leader Kellie Sloane slams Chris Minns for ‘providing cover’ for Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on the critical issue
- A federal royal commission would have the ‘teeth’ to compel federal agencies to appear and investigate the December 14 attack that claimed 15 lives
- Mr Minns has refused to participate in lobbying for a federal royal commission, instead opting for a state-based inquiry
In a scathing attack, NSW Opposition Leader Kellie Sloane has accused Premier Chris Minns of being the ‘only one staying silent’ on demands for a federal royal commission into the Bondi terror attack. Sloane’s comments come as she called on Minns to use his influence to pressure Prime Minister Anthony Albanese into launching a commonwealth inquiry.
‘I don’t know why he is providing cover for the Prime Minister on such a critical issue that packs our state,’ Sloane told reporters on Tuesday. ‘So I would ask again today to Chris Minns to step up to use his influence over the Prime Minister, to formally request a commonwealth royal commission. We can’t wait any longer.’
Sloane argued that a federal royal commission would have the necessary powers to compel federal agencies to appear and provide answers on the December 14 attack that claimed the lives of 15 innocent people. ‘It would provide the ability to compel federal agencies to appear,’ she said.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has ordered an independent federal review to be led by former ASIO director general Dennis Richardson, but has resisted calls for a commonwealth royal commission. The Richardson review is expected to be completed by April.
Mr Minns announced plans for a state-based royal commission on December 29 to investigate the events leading up to the Bondi terror attack and how future tragedies can be prevented. However, details of the NSW royal commission are yet to be released.
‘We’re working with our agencies as well as the Jewish community about terms of reference and an appropriate commissioner,’ Mr Minns said last week. However, Sloane has accused Minns of not doing enough to push for a federal inquiry.
‘Australian business leaders, sporting figures and even Labor MPs’ are calling on the Prime Minister to order a federal royal commission, Sloane said. ‘The government must call a Royal Commission into the causes of the Bondi Beach massacre, the broader ecosystem of terror and hate and the capacity of the agencies to monitor terrorist threats.’
The emotional appeal, signed by former Labor MPs and the Labor Israel Action Committee, stated that the health of Australia’s democracy and national security is at ‘stake’.
In a separate development, Sloane announced the new shadow ministry, which had been delayed by the Bondi attack. The cabinet reshuffle sees former Liberal leader Mark Speakman given a major role as education spokesman, while Nationals leader Gurmesh Singh takes on the Small Business portfolio.