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Anthony Albanese has backed a royal commission into last weekend’s attack at Bondi beach, after the NSW premier called for a full “comprehensive look” at the terrorist incident.
Speaking to reporters on Saturday the premier, Chris Minns said the state needed a royal commission to probe the mass shooting that killed 15 people.
“Until we’ve got a full and accurate picture of exactly how this happened, with a plan to ensure that it doesn’t happen again, then I don’t have answers to the people of New South Wales about what happened on Sunday,” he said.
“This is the most serious event that’s affected New South Wales for decades. If we’re not going to have a royal commission into this, when would you use the powers of that extraordinary provision in our act?”
Anthony Albanese, who met with members of the national security committee on Saturday, said he would “support whatever action the NSW government takes”.
“We are working in lockstep,” he told reporters.
Albanese and Minns did not provide details about the timing of a potential royal commission. Minns said he was confident the government could appoint a senior judicial officer to navigate the complexity of a inquiry running parallel to the criminal investigation.
“As soon as we can get a comprehensive understanding, an independent investigation into what happened, and we can begin the process of bringing in change to ensure that we do everything possible so that it doesn’t happen again,” he said.
The NSW Labor government on Saturday announced it would outlaw the display of terrorist symbols, such as Islamic State and Hamas flags, and clamp down on ban hate speech, including banning the phrase “globalise the intifada”.
The proposed crackdown on hate speech and hate symbols, will be considered when parliament sits on Monday.
Under the legislation, police would be granted greater powers to ask someone suspected of committing an offence to remove their face coverings during demonstrations.
Minns said the government will examine additional measures to further clamp down on hateful slogans, which he said would make a “major difference” for the state.
“I will insist that ‘globalise the intifada’ is included in that list of hateful, violent rhetoric in New South Wales,” he said said.
“The chant will be banned alongside other hateful comments and statements made in our community.”
Minns said the government already had received advice that the phrase “globalise the intifada” was in breach of existing hate speech laws in the state.
“This legislation will put it beyond a shadow of a doubt. So you’re running a very risky racket if you’re thinking of using that phrase before the bill goes through,” he said.
NSW state parliament will also consider tougher gun and protest laws.
More to come.
