Bondi Beach massacre: Anthony Albanese backflip on royal commission was days in the making

Those close to Anthony Albanese believe the Prime Minister finally came to the realisation late last week he could no longer resist calls to establish a Commonwealth royal commission after the country’s worst terror attack. For weeks he’d argued various reasons against the idea, while colleagues such as Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke even claimed it could “provide a public platform for some of the worst statements and worst voices.” By Monday the PM had begun to prepare his awkward backflip, and later that day senior colleagues like Treasurer Jim Chalmers were noticeably changing their public responses about the growing pressure for a royal commission.

When he eventually confirmed the move late on Thursday, Mr Albanese insisted he was never against the idea, and his government had been working tirelessly for the 25 days since the massacre, including receiving daily security briefings.

“I’ve engaged constructively regardless of some of the things that have been said. I haven’t engaged in politics. I have been focused on outcomes,” he told reporters.

In reality politics had forced his hand because the situation was damaging him, and now the Prime Minister was assuring the Jewish community and the rest of the country that he had carefully listened to their concerns.

“He’s had to eat a lot of sh*t sandwiches since the awful events in Bondi, but I think his press conference on Thursday was the best sh*t sandwich eating he’s done so far,” says one of his colleagues who closely watched the PM’s remarks.

“Now that he’s no longer fighting against large and angry sections of the community, he finally looked to be regaining control and showing some leadership,” the Labor MP tells the West Australian.

Another parliamentary colleague believes it was significant that the Prime Minister brushed aside protests from former Liberal Treasurer Josh Frydenberg and others about appointing Virginia Bell to head the royal commission.

“Having taken too long to make this decision, why should he continue to be pushed around by someone like Frydenberg – he just needed to get this thing set up and done,” the Labor figure says.

Mr Albanese also justified the choice by arguing there was “no one of the stature of Virginia Bell” and pointing out that a former High Court judge with a lengthy background in criminal law was crucial for the delicate task.

Jewish MP Josh Burns has welcomed the Prime Minister’s change of direction, saying for over two weeks he has been arguing behind the scenes inside government for a national royal commission into anti-Semitism.

“A Royal Commission gives us a chance to begin the work of healing and cultural change. In our universities, on our streets, online and within our own communities,” the Melbourne backbencher said.

There are however political dangers ahead for the Albanese government, as the royal commission begins a speedy but wide-ranging examination on anti-Semitism and social cohesion.

When asked whether he or other senior ministers would be willing to give evidence, Anthony Albanese insisted “everyone will comply” with the federal inquiry.

Only a few years ago the Morrison government had also been reluctant to call a royal commission into the crisis of veterans’ suicide, in part because of the unpredictable and damaging evidence that could emerge.

At the time Anthony Albanese strongly criticised the then Prime Minister’s resistance, but just like his predecessor and opponent, the pressure had eventually become too great.

Labor insiders are rightly wary of what evidence could emerge in the months ahead, particularly as the terms of reference allow for a forensic examination of the government’s own actions in the lead up to the December 14 massacre.

Close scrutiny is likely to be applied to various resourcing decisions made inside national security agencies, as well as the government’s own dismantling of the massive Home Affairs Department, and its subsequent restoration.

Federal Parliament now looks increasingly likely to be recalled in the week before Australia Day, ahead of the original scheduled return date of early February.

MPs will first pause for condolence motions to the 15 victims of the Bondi atrocity, before they turn their attention to new laws aimed at stamping out extremism.