Chris Minns Backs Federal Royal Commission- NSW to Fold State Inquiry into National Probe of Bondi Massacre
Media Release and Summary of News conference generated by Gemini AI / Friday 09 January at Edgecliff Rd.Woolhara Station Development site
Late thursday night the NSW Government issued a media release welcomed the Federal Government’s decision to establish a Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion in response to the Bondi terrorist attack, that killed 15 innocent people on December 14 2025.
It further stated that it was the worst terrorist attack our state has faced, and the community deserves clear answers about how it happened and how it can be prevented in the future and that NSW would fully cooperate with the Royal Commission and provide whatever assistance is required to support its work.
During the subsequent media conference at Woollahra on Friday, January 9, 2026, Premier Chris Minns and Minister John Graham addressed several critical updates following the Prime Minister’s announcement of a Federal Royal Commission into the Bondi Beach massacre.
The following are the three key developments discussed by the Premier regarding the Bondi tragedy and the subsequent federal inquiry:
1. Dissolution of the State Inquiry in Favor of the Federal Commission
Premier Minns confirmed that the previously planned NSW State Royal Commission will be formally folded into the newly announced Commonwealth Royal Commission. NSW will fully cooperate with the Royal Commission and provide whatever assistance is required to support its work.
Given the establishment of a national Royal Commission, the NSW Royal Commission will not proceed.
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Reasoning: The Premier explained that a unified federal inquiry is necessary to provide a national response to “borderless” issues like online radicalization and national security failures.
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Cooperation: The NSW Government will transition all evidence and resources gathered by state investigators to the federal team, led by former High Court Justice Virginia Bell.
2. Integration of the “Bondi Massacre” Investigation
While the Federal Royal Commission has a broad mandate to investigate antisemitism and social cohesion, Minns emphasized that the specific circumstances of the December 14 attack remain the central focus.
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The inquiry will specifically examine how the two alleged shooters were able to legally obtain firearms despite reported warning signs.
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It will also probe the “creeping rise of antisemitism” that led to the targeting of the Hanukkah event at Bondi, where 15 people were tragically killed.
3. Immediate Support for Victims and Law Reform
Despite the Royal Commission’s timeline (which is set to report by December 2024), the Premier stated that the NSW Government would not wait for its final findings to act on safety:
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Gun Laws: Minns defended the state’s emergency legislation passed just before Christmas, which restricted firearm ownership limits.
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Memorialization: He confirmed that the temporary memorial in Archer Park would remain a priority for the community and that the government is consulting with families on a permanent site to honor the victims.
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Hate Speech: The Premier reiterated his commitment to passing tougher hate speech laws—including criminalizing specific extremist chants—before Australia Day.
“We are moving from a state lens to a national lens because the hatred that fueled the Bondi attack does not stop at the NSW border,” Premier Minns stated. “Our priority is ensuring that Justice Bell has everything she needs to provide the families with the answers they deserve.”
