Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has confirmed the establishment of a Royal Commission into antisemitism and social cohesion in Australia, including an examination of the circumstances leading up to the Bondi attack.
The announcement has been welcomed by researchers at Monash University, with the university saying the inquiry presents an opportunity to better understand the causes of antisemitism and strengthen responses across Australian society.
Associate Professor David Slucki, Director of Monash University’s Australian Centre for Jewish Civilisation, said the Royal Commission could play a key role in building a safer and more inclusive country.
“We welcome the Prime Minister’s announcement of a Royal Commission into antisemitism. Any effort to combat antisemitism requires a deeper understanding of its nature and causes,” Associate Professor Slucki said.
“The Royal Commission promises to not only make Australia safer for the Jewish community, but to help create an Australia that is more inclusive and safer for all people.”
Monash University’s response is closely linked to the work of the Monash Initiative for Rapid Research into Antisemitism (MIRRA), which focuses on evidence-based research into antisemitism across multiple sectors of Australian society. The initiative works at a grassroots level to identify drivers of antisemitism and develop practical responses that strengthen social cohesion.
According to Monash University, MIRRA’s research aligns directly with the objectives of the Royal Commission, particularly in understanding how antisemitism manifests nationally and how institutions can respond more effectively.
Associate Professor Slucki said the initiative is already well advanced in its work.
“The work of the Monash Initiative for Rapid Research into Antisemitism promises to play an important role in helping the Royal Commission to understand the causes and impacts of antisemitism on Australian Jews and on Australia more broadly,” he said.
“We are well underway in our efforts to understand the nature and root causes of antisemitism in Australia, and we look forward to working with the Royal Commission to share our findings, insights and recommendations.”
MIRRA’s work to date includes the development of a framework to address antisemitism in Australian universities, the rollout of cultural awareness and antisemitism training to more than 1,100 university executives and frontline staff, and research into antisemitism in sectors such as the arts, local government, law, education, media, healthcare, sport and social media.
The federal government has also announced its support to expand the reach of MIRRA’s training programs, as part of broader efforts to counter extremism and improve social cohesion.
The Royal Commission is expected to examine the broader social conditions surrounding antisemitism in Australia, with findings intended to inform policy, education and community responses nationwide.
For readers who wish to view the full announcement, a recording of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese outlining the establishment of a Royal Commission into antisemitism and social cohesion, including the circumstances surrounding the Bondi attack, is included at the end of this article. The video is courtesy of ABC News.
