Jan. 8 (UPI) -- Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Thursday announced an independent investigation into antisemitism in the Oceania nation following last month's Islamic State-inspired Bondi Beach terrorist attack that killed 15 people and wounded 40 others.
A meeting of the federal cabinet approved Albanese's plan for a Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion, the prime minister said during a press conference.
"This royal commission is the right format, the right duration and the right terms of reference to deliver the right outcome for our national unity and our national security," he said.
"Of course, a royal commission is not the beginning of the end of what Australia must do to eradicate anti-Semitism or protect ourselves from terrorism or strengthen our social cohesion. That's an ongoing national effort for all of us as individuals, but also institutions because an attack on Jewish Australians is an attack on all Australians."
A royal commission is the highest form of independent public inquiry on matters of public importance and is only established by the Australian government in rare and exceptional circumstances.
