Royal Commission rushed as time runs out

There is only a week left of hearings before the Royal Commission adjourns, with Commissioner Virginia Bell’s report due in December.

And it is becoming clear that – notwithstanding the excellent dedication and professionalism of Bell and her team – due to its rushed timing the Royal Commission has only just begun to scratch the surface.

To be sure, it has done mostly excellent work in giving a voice to Jewish Australians who have experienced antisemitism. But it has breezed its way through too many topics. Campuses needed more than six days and more universities probed. Academics and student councillors should have been called.

One day on protests – in which only two demonstrations were examined against the hundreds that have taken place since October 7, 2023 – was critically inadequate.

And, while we respect procedural fairness, groups such as the Australia Palestine Advocacy Network and Palestine Action Group should have been made to answer many more questions than they were given leave to ask.