Bondi Royal Commission Hearings Begin

The Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion established by the Commonwealth following the antisemitic terrorist attack on Jewish Australians that took place at Bondi Beach on 14 December 2025, and which resulted in the loss of 15 lives and the wounding of a further 40 individuals, is underway following a first formal hearing in Sydney today during which statements were made by the Commissioner about the definition of ‘antisemitism’.

The Letters Patent setting up the Royal Commission are the starting point for the Commission and describe the matters the Commission is empowered to look into. Here they are.

In summary, the Commission is required to-

• Examine the Bondi attack — how it occurred, what was known beforehand, and how agencies responded.

• Assess intelligence and law‑enforcement performance — including coordination, information‑sharing, and whether existing powers were adequate.

• Investigate the nature and extent of antisemitism in Australia — its drivers, patterns, and impacts on Jewish communities.

• Review current laws and policies aimed at preventing and responding to antisemitism, hate, and extremist behaviour.

• Evaluate risks to social cohesion — including how hate, misinformation, and community tensions are managed nationally.

• Recommend reforms to strengthen community safety, agency capability, and national resilience.

Interestingly, each of the States of South Australia, NSW, Victoria and Western Australia has also effectively joined in the Royal Commission by appointing the Commissioner to make inquiries in identical terms to those of the Commonwealth Commission on their behalf.

Commissioner Virginia Bell AC SC

On 18 February 2026, the Royal Commission announced it would hold its first public hearing 24 February 2026.

At that time, Commissioner Virginia Bell AC SC said that –

“I acknowledge the importance of addressing antisemitism within the Australian community. I plan to conduct the inquiry as expeditiously as possible so that I can deliver a report containing my findings and recommendations not later than the first anniversary of the antisemitic terrorist attack that took place at Bondi Beach on 14 December 2025”.

The Royal Commission duly held its first public hearing today, 24 February 2026, as advertised. At the opening hearing, Commissioner Bell made a short opening statement explaining how she would approach the terms of reference for the inquiry.

Senior Counsel Assisting Richard Lancaster SC also made a short opening statement.

The hearing today was confined to these opening statements and no testimony was heard or evidence given.

The Commissioner explained the Commission would apply the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance working definition of antisemitism, namely, “a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews”.

Here’s the full definition.

The Commissioner observed that the definition itself was “uncontroversial” but it was “accompanied by eleven examples of conduct which could amount to antisemitism”. She added that –

“At least two of the examples are controversial, and have led some critics to argue that the IHRA working definition wrongly labels as antisemitic the expression of political views which do not reflect a hatred of Jews.

“While I’m open to receiving submissions on the issue, my current view is that these concerns pay insufficient regard to the terms of the definition itself, and they’re apt to overlook the requirement to take account of the overall context in which conduct occurs before making any determination that the conduct is antisemitic.”

Commissioner Bell said it was uncontroversial that criticism of policies pursued by the government of Israel was not, of itself, antisemitic.

The Commissioner made it clear she was interested in hearing from Jewish Australians who had experienced antisemitism, “whether at school or at university or in the workplace, or elsewhere”, and making a submission online, as people can do, did not commit them to giving evidence in public.

The Commissioner noted she was “mindful that while antisemitism may be the oldest religious and ethnic prejudice, other religions and ethnicities are also subject to prejudice in Australia”.

As to the social cohesion term of reference, the Commissioner said –

“I expect that social cohesion will be advanced by measures that address discrimination against religious faiths, ethnicities and cultures generally.

“Nonetheless, against the background of the massacre of innocent people who appear to have been targeted simply because they were Jewish, I trust everyone will appreciate why the focus of this commission will be on tackling antisemitism as a starting point in strengthening our bonds of social cohesion.”

Hearing dates for the commission will be set before long.

More information about the Royal Commission and its workings and the live-streaming of hearings will be available through the Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion’s website. Recordings and transcript of hearings will also be available on the website after hearings.

In addition to hearings and submissions, the Royal Commission’s inquiry may also include ‘roundtables’, where appropriate, to inform the Commissioner about relevant issues. Roundtables are informal discussions that provide an effective way for the Commissioner to learn about issues, hear a wide range of opinions and consider suggestions. On 12 February, Roundtable 1 was held at which Commissioner Bell invited a number of Jewish organisations to participate in a roundtable to discuss the Terms of Reference of the Royal Commission.

Interested persons can contact the Commission here.

Fremantle Shipping News will continue to cover the proceedings of the Royal Commission.

By Michael Barker, Editor, Fremantle Shipping News.

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