We, representatives of the major employers of Australia's business community, support a federal Royal Commission into antisemitism and the tragic events at Bondi Beach on the evening of 14 December 2025.
As we return to work after the new year break, we must ensure that shock and grief do not turn into ongoing anger and division, particularly in our workplaces.
Workplaces are perhaps the greatest melting pots we have as a country, where people from truly diverse backgrounds come together to work for their common success. Our workplaces are therefore deeply representative of the communities found across our nation, and it follows that we must strive for them to be inclusive.
Without sustainably safe and cohesive workplaces and communities, we cannot deliver prosperity for all Australians, which is the ultimate objective underpinning the advocacy and efforts of our organisations.
A federal Royal Commission can help us learn and understand what happened, what needs to be done differently and bring us together in the shared goal of preventing future tragedy.
A federal approach to a Royal Commission would avoid some of the limitations of a state-based approach and help ensure we bring a whole-of-nation focus to tackling antisemitism.
Importantly, the findings and recommendations of such a commission could build on the useful steps already taken by Federal, state and territory Governments around the country.
This includes incorporating and building on the findings of the inquiry initiated by the Federal Government headed by Dennis Richardson into the operation of Australia's intelligence and law enforcement agencies leading up to the Bondi Beach shootings.
Australia is not alone in having faced growth in antisemitism. Ultimately, we hope a federal Royal Commission would send a signal to the world that Australia is committed to providing safe and inclusive communities, and intends to lead in overcoming antisemitism. In turn, this signal would help ensure Australia remains a beacon for capital and talent from around the globe, and the best country in which to live, work and raise a family.
For these reasons, we support a Royal Commission, with appropriate terms of reference, that integrates with state efforts and has a clear reporting date or dates, to be called as soon as possible.
This joint statement is on behalf of:
- Australian Banking Association
- Australian Institute of Company Directors
- Australian Industry Group
- Australian Retailers Association
- Business Council of Australia
- Council of Small Business Organisations Australia
- Insurance Council of Australia
- Master Builders Australia
- Minerals Council of Australia
