Australia begins sweeping public inquiry probing antisemitism

A wide-ranging federal inquiry began on Tuesday into a rise in antisemitism across Australia before two gunmen believed to be inspired by the Islamic State group allegedly killed 15 people at a Sydney Jewish festival in December.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced last month that Australia’s most powerful form of public inquiry, known as a royal commission, would investigate the Dec. 14 massacre at Bondi Beach.

Alleged shooter Sajid Naveed was shot dead by police. His son, Naveed Akram, faces charges including committing a terrorist act, 15 counts of murder and 40 counts of attempted murder. He has entered no pleas. Royal Commissioner Virginia Bell, who heads the Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion, said she did not want evidence that she heard to prejudice Akram’s criminal trial.

“One might expect a royal commission set up to inquire into an attack would lead evidence of it and of the heroism of those who sort to confront the shooters and of those who ran toward the gunfire to offer medical assistance to the wounded,” Bell said in an opening address.

“The trial of that individual (Akram) will be the occasion to lead evidence of the attack. This commission must do its work without risking any prejudice to that criminal proceeding,” she added. Royal commissions, which can imprison witnesses who refuse to cooperate, often request time extensions as more evidence is discovered. 

Bell is the sole commissioner. As well as lawyers, the commission’s staff include analysts, researchers and other office workers, according to Richard Lancaster, who leads a team of lawyers in his role as the Senior Counsel Assisting the Royal Commission. Lancaster’s job is to manage the investigation’s direction, present Bell with evidence and question witnesses.

Completing her report by the deadline of the massacre’s first anniversary is a “matter of critical importance,” Bell said.“This imposes a tight time frame and it’s going to impose limitations on how the commission approaches its terms of reference,” the retired high court judge said. Royal Commissioner Virginia Bell.