Bondi victims consider class action
Victims of the Bondi terror attack are being urged to seek legal support as a class action is considered.
The Jewish Centre for Law and Justice (JCLJ) is calling on all victims of the Bondi terror attack to come forward as it prepares a potential class action to ensure those responsible are held to account. The national legal service can also assist any victims, Jewish or not, with administrative legal processes such as accessing the government’s Victim Support Scheme.
JCLJ CEO Alessandra Steele said the organisation was committed to harnessing the law to combat antisemitism and drive systemic change.
“A convergence of hate and systemic failures created a perfect storm that culminated in this vile attack, and we intend to leave no stone unturned in exposing the failures that led to this tragedy,” Steele stated.
Legal action is being considered against the federal government, agencies, hate preachers and social media companies that publish hate speech.
A key issue will be how the father accused of the attack was able to get a gun licence and purchase six longarms despite his son being on ASIO’s counter-terrorism “management” list and being flagged as associating with extremists by NSW Police.
JCLJ will seek information about failures in departments that may have led to the massacre. Findings from the Richardson review and other inquiries will assist in deciding possible civil action.
Steele said while not all facts were yet known, identifying the parties who may be held responsible would become clearer with time and thorough investigation.
“Everyone affected by this attack, whether Jewish or not, has been a victim of antisemitism and deserves justice,” she said.
The JCLJ is a national independent legal organisation, backed by prominent philanthropists and established after the October 7, 2023 attacks in Israel by Hamas.
“JCLJ’s mission is to create systemic change, which is clearly needed after two years of ineffective and insufficient measures by authorities and government against rising antisemitism,” Steele stated. “We will work to ensure all parties responsible are held to account, from those who published and promoted hate speech, to those responsible for radicalising the terrorists, those who failed to take action against them sooner, to those who permitted them to be armed with lethal weapons.”
JCLJ is directing those affected by the attack who would like legal support or wish to join a possible class action to www.jclj.org.