ANDREW GREENE: Why Albanese’s Bondi royal commission backflip could be catastrophic

Almost a month since the horrific shootings at Bondi, the Prime Minister this week finally attended a funeral for one of the 15 victims of Australia’s worst terrorist attack.

It wasn’t because Anthony Albanese didn’t want to go to the farewells for the fallen, but rather he hadn’t yet been invited to one, or his office had been explicitly told by families that he was not welcome.

Inside the Jewish community there has been visceral anger towards the Prime Minister for his steadfast refusal to call a royal commission into the December 14 massacre, but also because of the Government’s handling of anti-Semitism in Australia.

As he joined mourners inside Sydney’s St Mary’s Cathedral on Wednesday to pay respects to murdered photographer Peter Meagher, the PM’s mind would have almost certainly turned to the growing pressure from survivors and relatives to do more.

Since the devastating shootings last month, there has been a relentless public campaign to force Mr Albanese to launch the highest form of independent inquiry into the anti-Semitic attack at Bondi.

To date Labor has argued that a far-reaching Commonwealth royal commission would be too lengthy and divisive, with Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke even claiming it could “provide a public platform for some of the worst statements and worst voices.”

Now across Labor ranks and the Jewish community there is widespread expectations of an imminent Prime Ministerial retreat, after Mr Albanese this week publicly softened his opposition to the idea.

“This was always a ridiculous hill to die on, it was obvious two weeks ago that the PM would have to back down on this eventually,” one Labor source said.

On Tuesday the Prime Minister noticeably declined to rule out the move, but insisted his Government was continuing to work with New South Wales on how its own yet to be established royal commission would operate.

“We are engaged with the community as well as with the New South Wales Government to make sure that we get done everything that is required, to make sure we build social cohesion back in this country,” Mr Albanese told reporters.

In another noticeable shift in language the Prime Minister said his government would examine “everything possible” to address anti-Semitism.

“We are continuing to examine everything else that is required,’’ he said after touring flood-ravaged parts of Queensland.

“I continue to be engaged with leaders in the Jewish community, and I am talking and meeting on a daily basis with people to make sure we do everything possible.”

Given the Albanese government’s repeated arguments against a separate federal royal commission, the option of forming a joint inquiry with New South Wales is now emerging as the most likely answer.

Former senior political advisor Scott Prasser, a leading academic expert on royal commissions, believes if the Albanese Government is willing to cooperate with New South Wales, it would be an elegant solution.

“The Albanese Government has said they’re willing to cooperate with the New South Wales royal commission. Well, if they’re willing to cooperate, why not get over the hump and have a joint one and do this properly,” Mr Prasser said.

He warns that a New South Wales royal commission alone risked not being able to adequately examine Federal agencies, while a Commonwealth one couldn’t look at NSW Police.

A joint inquiry with New South Wales could possibly also ease concerns from some inside Labor who remain extremely wary of the idea of a stand-alone Commonwealth royal commission.

“I can see absolutely no upside in this for Anthony Albanese or the country,” one Labor figure warns.

“What will cut through is not that Albanese was for a royal commission or against a royal commission, but that he was utterly lacking in compassion, leadership and that ultimately his judgement was stuffed.

The Labor insider believes a federal royal commission will “set us up for a year of pain”.

Others are even more worried, claiming a backflip on a Commonwealth royal commission would be catastrophic for Albanese’s personal ratings and could start a very serious conversation about replacing him before the next election.