Royal Commissioner Virginia Bell visits Bondi

Royal Commissioner Virginia Bell assured survivors of the Bondi Beach massacre that the inquiry will examine how long it took police to respond to the shooting and the level of security protection at the Chanukah celebration, according to the Sydney Morning Herald.

The former High Court judge toured the scene of the attack on Thursday morning and held a two-hour meeting with survivors, witnesses and relatives of those who died on December 14.

Bell also visited the Mitzvah House, established in memory of Rabbis Eli Schlanger and Yaakov Levitan, who were killed in the attack.

Mitzvah House founder Rabbi Noach Koncepolski said Bell’s visit was “deeply meaningful to our community”.

“It showed a willingness to listen, to understand, and to carry the weight of responsibility that her role demands,” Rabbi Koncepolski said.

“We wished her well on her important mission and that she judges accordingly with fairness, wisdom, and integrity. The work ahead is significant, and so is the responsibility. We hope that what was seen and felt within these walls will help guide her as she carries out this vital task.”

According to the Sydney Morning Herald, Bell used the private, invitation-only meeting at Bondi to directly explain why she would not be able to accept any evidence about the day’s tragedy that could prejudice the criminal trial of accused gunman Naveed Akram.

One participant told the masthead the meeting was “very productive” and had largely reassured those present that Bell was determined to do everything within her power to understand why the atrocity had occurred.

“She was impressive,” the participant said.

As well as any intelligence failures that preceded the attack, Bell told those at the meeting that the Royal Commission would examine why there were only two police officers present at the Chanukah by the Sea event and how long it took other police to arrive at the scene after the gunmen began shooting, according to the newspaper.

Bell held one-on-one conversations with members of the Jewish community to address their concerns.

Sources told the newspaper there was a strong sense in the room that the Royal Commission could be rushed as Bell scrambles to meet the government’s December 14 deadline. While Bell said she was determined to deliver her report by the first anniversary of the attack, she said she could request an extension if absolutely necessary.

Bell told those present that the Royal Commission did not expect to hold further public hearings until at least the end of March, and possibly later, according to the newspaper.

While at Bondi, Bell toured the footbridge where the alleged gunmen, Naveed and Sajid Akram, fired on those who had gathered to celebrate Chanukah.

The Albanese government announced it would introduce new laws next week to strengthen legal protections for those providing intelligence and operational information to the Royal Commission and strengthen its ability to handle sensitive material.

Attorney-General Michelle Rowland said the government would establish immunity from secrecy provisions for those providing evidence to the Royal Commission.

“The changes will support the current Royal Commission in completing its important work, including the delivery of an interim report by April 30,” Rowland said.

At the Royal Commission’s opening hearing on Tuesday, Bell called on Jewish Australians to share their experiences of antisemitism, promising that submissions would not require public testimony.

Bell said the commission would use the IHRA working definition of antisemitism and that tackling antisemitism would be a “starting point” for addressing social cohesion more broadly.