Damn, this is mega disappointing. I've moved so my local MP is no longer Greens, but I haven't updated my address on the electoral roll so I might write to her, and to the Greens Senators, to express my disappointment at this.
I'll also just re-share here the text of a fantastic Facebook post that came out a week ago, before Albo capitulated:
A Royal Commission is for systemic, nationwide failure not a single criminal act like the Bondi Shooting
Australia only uses Royal Commissions when normal oversight has completely failed, causing widespread harm over years not localised to one region, city or state.
Examples:
Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse
- Most expensive ever (~$535 million)
- Decades of abuse across churches, schools, state institutions
Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability
- ~$300–350 million
- Widespread abuse and neglect across care, health, justice, NDIS
Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety
– ~$110–120 million
– System found to be unsafe, neglectful, and failing nationallyRoyal Commission into the Robodebt Scheme
– ~$60 million
– An unlawful government scheme that harmed hundreds of thousandsThe Bondi attack was a single act of violence by an individual.
It is already subject to:
- Police investigation
- Coroner’s inquest
- Independent reviews
Unless evidence shows repeated ignored warnings, systemic government failure, or nationwide negligence, a Royal Commission is not justified.
Calling one without proof of systemic failure is political theatre, wastes public money, and retraumatises families.
Facts first. Evidence first. Accountability where it belongs.