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Acting leader Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said today:

“We welcome the Prime Minister’s decision to call a Federal Royal Commission into Antisemitism, Social Cohesion and National Security and Intelligence Agencies, to be led by former High Court Justice, the Hon Virginia Bell AC, as Commissioner.

“A balanced, careful and powerful Royal Commission is a chance to learn hard lessons while minimising divisive politics in crafting a national response to the anti-Semitic Bondi mass shooting.

“The strongest national response will be based on bringing together multicultural Australia to reinforce our values of tolerance, democracy and respect.

“This inquiry must clearly distinguish between the strengths and pillars of our diverse multicultural society and the narrow destructive forces of extremism.

“The Royal Commission must tackle anti-semitism and all forms of racism, including confronting Islamophobia and other extremist elements as part of the Commission’s social cohesion mandate.

“There are deep concerns about the coordination and response of national security and intelligence agencies and we welcome this public examination of them including current oversight arrangements.

“The Greens will continue to work constructively with the Government to ensure our communities are safe and free of hate and prejudice.”

Shane Rattenbury, Leader of the ACT Greens:

“The ACT Parliament’s fiscal sustainability review must consider the cost of the climate crisis – its impact on the health and wellbeing of the community and how, if not addressed, this will continue to blow out the ACT Budget.

“We must consider the health costs of climate inaction. If we don’t, many more Canberrans will be harmed from the impacts of extreme weather events, and we risk a situation where there’s no resources to deliver support and services when they are most needed.

“Just last year, the ACT Labor Government raked up a $387 million overspend on the hospital and a budget deficit totalling around $1.5 billion – $500 million more than forecast. Our hospital bill will continue to rise unless the government starts to deliver preventative initiatives.

“Just yesterday, an ANU report found 1 in 15 visits to the emergency department in Canberra are due to extreme heat or cold. That’s almost 7% of presentations which could have been prevented through climate mitigation and preparation measures.

“Canberrans living below the poverty line are at greatest risk of extreme weather events, like bushfires and heatwaves.

“There are many Canberrans who are sweltering in poorly insulated homes, and that number skyrockets for renters and public housing tenants. Many public housing tenants are already living with chronic health conditions or disabilities so are at a greater risk of harm.

“Coupled with one of the lowest GP bulk-billing rates in the country, many households struggling to pay bills or put food on the table cannot afford to see the doctor. Instead, people become so unwell they need to be hospitalised and take much longer to recover.

“The climate crisis fuels inequality, but it doesn’t have to be this way – it just needs ambition and action. But under Labor we’ve seen climate action stalled and the health response focused on the emergency department, rather than helping people before they become that unwell.

“Inaction is inhumane, and it’s costly. We need initiatives that help all Canberrans prepare and become more resilient in the face of climate-driven weather extremes.

“The inquiry must consider how initiatives like improving heating and cooling in buildings, more public places to shelter from extreme weather events, and more bulk-billed GP appointments will make life better for many Canberrans and ease pressure off emergency and crisis services.”

The Albanese Labor Government will establish a Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion in response to the Bondi terrorist attack.

The Government has asked Former High Court Justice the Hon Virginia Bell AC to serve as Commissioner.

Ms Bell has the deep experience and expertise to conduct her inquiry in such a way that meaningfully examines the impact of antisemitism on the daily life of Jewish Australians – and works to promote social cohesion.

The Government has asked Commissioner Bell to report before the end of the year, and to ensure this inquiry does not prejudice any future criminal proceedings.

The Royal Commission will cover four key areas, as set out in the Letters Patent.

1. Tackling antisemitism by investigating the nature and prevalence of antisemitism in institutions and society, and its key drivers in Australia, including ideologically and religiously motivated extremism and radicalisation.
2. Making recommendations that will assist law enforcement, border control, immigration and security agencies to tackle antisemitism, including through improvements to guidance and training within law enforcement, border control, immigration, and security agencies to respond to antisemitic conduct.
3. Examining the circumstances surrounding the antisemitic Bondi terrorist attack on 14 December 2025.
4. Making any other recommendations arising out of the inquiry for strengthening social cohesion in Australia and countering the spread of ideologically and religiously motivated extremism in Australia.

To ensure this is a truly national Royal Commission, all States and Territories will be asked to join the Commission.

Dennis Richardson’s Independent Commonwealth Review into Australia’s federal law enforcement and intelligence agencies will become part of the Commission and he will support its work, with delivery of an Interim Report by the Commission in April.

The Government’s focus in the aftermath of the antisemitic Bondi terrorist attack has been on urgent and immediate action.

That’s why we have:

• Adopted recommendations from the Special Envoy to Combat Antisemitism, Jillian Segal.
• Brought together National Cabinet to fast-track tougher gun laws.
• Delivered new resources to our law enforcement agencies to help prevent further attacks.
• Established the Richardson Review – to quickly identify any gaps in the work of the national security bodies.

When Parliament returns the Government will also introduce new laws to criminalise hate speech and hate preachers, as well as deliver tougher gun laws.

A Royal Commission is not the beginning or the end of what Australia must do to eradicate antisemitism, protect ourselves from terrorism or strengthen our social cohesion.

That is an ongoing national effort, for all of us.

Because an attack on Jewish Australians, is an attack on all Australians.

The Albanese and Crisafulli Governments have today committed an additional $38 million towards large-scale disaster recovery efforts for flood affected communities across north-west Queensland.

Targeted investments will be made across programs and projects that will assist the recovery of flood affected farmers and communities, including:

• $21.5 million for primary producer Disaster Recovery Grants up to $75,000.
• $11.5 million for critical repairs and increased flood resilience at Cloncurry Airport.
• $5 million increase to the previously announced emergency fodder package.

Primary producer recovery grants up to $75,000 are available to impacted farmers in Carpentaria, Cloncurry, Croydon, Flinders, McKinlay, Richmond and Winton Shires, including upfront payments of $10,000.

The Cloncurry Airport Recovery and Renewal Package will see $11.5 million of works rolled out to repair the damaged airstrip and increase the airport’s capacity to accommodate larger aircraft.

Another $5 million investment will grow the region’s Coordinated Emergency Fodder Support Package to $7 million, helping primary producers keep their stock fed in Carpentaria, Cloncurry, Flinders, McKinlay, Richmond and Winton.

This $38 million commitment from the Albanese and Crisafulli Governments is being made through the joint Commonwealth-state Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).

Primary producers applying for Disaster Recovery Grants can visit www.qrida.qld.gov.au or phone 1800 623 946.

Farmers needing fodder support should contact their local council immediately.

For the latest disaster information, all Queenslanders can visit www.disaster.qld.gov.au, with around the clock support also available via the Queensland Community Recovery Hotline on 1800 173 349.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese:

“This funding will provide immediate support to flooded communities that are hurting now and will set them up for success in the future.

“These disaster packages will make sure flood affected Queenslanders can recover and importantly build back stronger.

“We want all Australians to know that their government has their back.”

Acting Queensland Premier Jarrod Bleijie:

“We’ve got boots on the ground across the north and north-west to inform our recovery and the support we’re providing.

“It doesn’t matter what we’re up against, we’ll continue delivering for Queensland.”

Federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers:

“I’m back in Cloncurry again for the second time in 13 months, this time with the PM and Minister McBain, and we have a simple message.

“We know the people, communities and industries of regional Queensland play a crucial role in our country and its economy and we are here for them every step of the way.

“These floods have been devastating for farming families in Queensland’s north and central west, there’s no other way to put it, and as a Queenslander I know how important this help will be in regions like this one.”

Federal Minister for Emergency Management Kristy McBain:

“It’s our job to be there for all Australians, no matter what disasters we face, and this major investment speaks to that responsibility.

“Recovery is a long road and it takes time to reach the end, but today we’re telling Queenslanders that we’ll get there together.”

Queensland Minister for Disaster Recovery Ann Leahy:

“The local knowledge of our mayors and industry bodies is crucial to the shape of these support measures.

“For our farmers, communities and families, we’ve listened and we’re getting on with the work.”