The Daily Aus What to expect from the antisemitism inquiry
Feb 25, 2026
They explain what a royal commission is and how it works. They walk through why this inquiry was launched after the Bondi attack and how it was fast tracked. They outline the commission’s scope, timelines and costs. They discuss who will be heard and how the process must avoid prejudicing criminal trials.
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What A Royal Commission Actually Is
- A Royal Commission is a powerful independent public inquiry with authority to compel witnesses and documents but it is not a court and doesn't try people.
- Zara Seidler contrasts recent commissions like Veterans' Suicide and RoboDebt to show they produce detailed recommendations after extensive hearings and submissions.
Veterans Suicide Commission Shows Scale
- The Veterans' Suicide Royal Commission received over 5,800 submissions, heard 340 witnesses and made 122 recommendations in its final report.
- Zara Seidler uses this example to illustrate how big, detailed and slow royal commissions can be, with partial government implementation over more than a year.
Virginia Bell Leading The Inquiry
- The anti‑Semitism and Social Cohesion Royal Commission is led by former High Court Justice Virginia Bell and focuses on causes and responses to antisemitism.
- Zara Seidler highlights the commission's leadership to signal legal weight and credibility.