Bondi attack victims' families demand royal commission into antisemitism

Families of the Bondi Beach attack victims are calling on the federal government to establish a royal commission into the rapid rise of antisemitism in Australia.

In a statement released overnight, the group says leaders must now listen to those directly affected, warning: “You owe us answers, you owe us accountability, and you owe Australians the truth.”

They have accused Labor of missing the mark, describing antisemitism as a national crisis that demands a powerful national response.

Shaina Goodnick, daughter of Reuven Morrison, who lost his life while trying to stop one of the Bondi attackers, said it was crucial to speak up now.

“My father was murdered, leaving behind his wife, daughter, grandchildren. Matilda was murdered. Ellie Schlenger was murdered, leaving behind five children, a six-week-old baby,” Ms Goodnick told Sunrise.

“So many families completely ripped apart, grandparents, parents, children, just taken from their families. This is something that impacts all of us here in Australia.”

Ms Goodnick said the attack didn’t happen in a vacuum, describing it as something that has been “growing and festering here in Australia for two and a half years now.”

Support for the royal commission continues to grow, with high-profile backers including Sir Peter Cosgrove, the former Governor-General, the former AFP Commissioner, former High Court judges, lawyers, legal experts, and even federal Labor MPs who have broken ranks to support it.

When asked about the Prime Minister’s hesitancy to call a royal commission, citing concerns about lengthy timeframes, Ms Goodnick was resolute.

“However long it takes,” she said, noting that past royal commissions have ranged from 10 months for Robodebt to two years for aged care, with some taking up to five years.

The families’ letter appeared on the front page of newspapers across the country, with the group hoping it will convince the government to act.

“We need answers. We need to understand how this occurred, and we need to ensure that this cannot happen again,” Ms Goodnick said. “Lives were lost, and we need to ensure that no more will be.”