UPDATE: Australia has launched a national database to combat hate crimes, just two weeks after the horrific Bondi terror attack. The initiative, fast-tracked in response to the massacre, aims to enhance law enforcement’s ability to track and address hate-related offenses across the country.
The database, which became operational on January 1, currently focuses on convictions but will expand to encompass charges and incidents. This unprecedented consolidation of hate crime data will enable governments to assess the effectiveness of their policies, according to Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke, who spoke on Wednesday.
“This allows us, over time, to be able to look at the effectiveness of how changes in the laws are working,” Burke explained on ABC radio. The urgency of this initiative follows the tragic events of December 14, when two gunmen inspired by Islamic State killed 15 people during a Jewish festival in Bondi, marking the deadliest terror attack in Australian history.
In the wake of the attack, pressure is mounting on the Albanese government to launch a national royal commission to investigate the circumstances surrounding the massacre. Critics, including Jewish leaders and some Labor backbenchers, argue that a NSW-led inquiry would be insufficient. However, the government asserts that a royal commission would prolong the process unnecessarily, while an existing review of intelligence and law enforcement agencies can deliver quicker results to ensure community safety.
Liberal senator James McGrath emphasized the need for a royal commission, stating it should examine the “cancerous tide of anti-Semitism” in Australia. Renowned pollster Kos Samaras cautioned that partisanship regarding the royal commission could alienate voters.
The political fallout from the Bondi attack has been significant. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s net performance rating plummeted by 15 points to negative nine, while Opposition Leader Sussan Ley saw her rating decline by seven points to negative four. Both leaders have faced criticism from their constituencies for their responses to the tragedy.
Samaras emphasized that Australians desire a unified response rather than divisive political debates. “Australians don’t want a partisan political debate on this, they want a response that’s unified,” he stated. The urgency for swift action against hate groups is clearer than ever, as public safety remains a top concern.
In a show of solidarity, Albanese has invited Israeli President Isaac Herzog to visit Australia, expressing his “profound shock and dismay” over the Bondi attack. The next steps in addressing hate crimes and ensuring community safety are crucial as the nation grapples with the aftermath of this tragedy.
For those affected, support resources are available: Lifeline at 13 11 14 and Beyond Blue at 1300 22 4636. As developments unfold, the focus remains on how Australia can effectively combat hate crimes and rebuild trust within the community.
