Anthony Albanese accused of 'ignoring' the families of the Bondi massacre victims: 'Refuses to listen'
Anthony Albanese has been accused of ignoring victims' families as he faces growing demands for a national royal commission into the Bondi Beach massacre.
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By NICHOLAS COMINO, NEWS REPORTER, AUSTRALIA
Published: 05:52 GMT, 30 December 2025 | Updated: 05:52 GMT, 30 December 2025
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Anthony Albanese has been accused of ignoring victims' families as he faces growing demands for a national royal commission into the Bondi Beach massacre.
Deputy Liberal leader Sussan Ley said the Prime Minister 'refused to listen' to calls for a federal inquiry into the terrorist attack that left 15 dead and many more injured.
'I strongly advocated for a Commonwealth Royal Commission on behalf of the victims' families – families who have stood up and spoken so bravely and eloquently since that awful day on December 14,' Ley said.
'We have a line-up of eminent Australians - former Chief Justices, AFP Commissioners, experts in law and politics, members of the Labor Party, millions of ordinary Australians, former security experts - and the list keeps growing.
'Yet the Prime Minister refuses to listen.
'Today, the Prime Minister shouted at Australians instead of listening to victims' families and others who demand this Commonwealth Royal Commission.'
Ley also took aim at Albanese's reliance on unnamed experts for advice.
'Today, the Prime Minister said experts advised against a Commonwealth Royal Commission. What experts?' she asked.
Sussan Ley (pictured) revealed she met with Albanese and asked him for a Royal Commission
A man is seen placing flowers at the Bondi Pavilion after 15 lives were lost
'He should release this advice. And may I present the Prime Minister with the real experts, the victims' families who suffered the greatest loss.'
Albanese has defended his decision to order an independent review led by retired intelligence chief Dennis Richardson, arguing it will provide swift answers and prevent the politicisation of a moment of national grief.
The Richardson Review will examine the conduct of federal law enforcement and intelligence agencies prior to the attack, with findings due by April.
'My job as the leader, as the Prime Minister, is to bring the country together - not to divide, not to seek differentiation, but to seek common interest,' Albanese said in Canberra on Tuesday.
'We need to go to the heart of what occurred and, importantly, ensure this never happens again.'