NSW could still need state inquiry into Bondi terror attack: Minns

Premier Chris Minns says he “fully supports” a federal royal commission into antisemitism but he has said NSW could still need its own inquiry to canvas state-specific issues such as the role of the security group that provides services to the Jewish community.

Minns on Friday said an “independent, comprehensive investigation into this terrible crime, the worst terrorism event that Australia has ever had” was crucial, and a federal royal commission was the best mechanism to achieve that.

Premier Chris Minns says NSW may still require its own inquiry into the Bondi terror attack and its aftermath.Credit: Louie Douvis

“We will fully comply and co-operate with their inquiry, as will our agencies,” Minns said. “We expect letters patent to be provided to the Commonwealth government so as they can get access to our officials, to us, to any information they need so that we can have a full and comprehensive investigation.”

However, Minns said that while NSW would no longer hold its own royal commission, a state-based inquiry could still be needed to look at specific issues such as the Community Security Group, which has provided security services to the Jewish community for decades.

In the days after the December 14 Bondi terror attack, Minns raised the possibility of providing CSG with a greater ability to carry weapons, describing the move as a “small price to pay”.

CSG personnel can carry pistols when performing security duties at schools and synagogues. However, the group’s security licence does not permit personnel to carry weapons at public events, such as the Hanukkah celebration where 15 people were killed.

“We cannot have a situation where the solution to this horrible terrorism event is to have the Jewish community say, ‘Well, we can only exist and celebrate our faith behind big walls’,” Minns said at the time.

On Friday, Minns said any inquiry held in NSW would be an independent probe, not one conducted by the state parliament. He would also not divulge private conversations with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, but he stressed the decision to hold a royal commission was made by Albanese.

The prime minister on Thursday bowed to weeks of pressure and called the federal inquiry into the circumstances that led to the Bondi attack.

“The reality is, I think there should be more space for political leaders to change their minds if they see the evidence in front of them, if they’re spoken to in a passionate way by victims, survivors and families about the need to get to the bottom of it,” Minns said.

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“I think that that’s a good thing in public life, and I think the right decision has been made.”

Minns said he had faith in a royal commission, but he said there “may be elements that need to be investigated quickly, as it relates to NSW issues”.

“I don’t want that to read that we don’t have any confidence in the Commonwealth probe, of course we do, but it may be particularly in relation to CSG advice to NSW Police and the arming of CSG that we might need immediate information that could help us with that decision-making.”

Minns also backed the decision to continue with a ban on protests in Sydney.

“I wanted to support the decision of the Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon in relation to extending 14 days for marches in Sydney during this period,” Minns said.

“It’s hot weather and it’s heated passions at the moment, and the truth of the matter is, we don’t need further division and aggravation on the streets of Sydney during this difficult period”.

Lanyon on Tuesday extended the 14-day protest ban on Sydney’s streets by another fortnight, days after 250 people descended on Town Hall in an unauthorised rally over the US raid on Venezuela.

Under the new anti-protest laws, stationary gatherings are allowed, but police may issue move-on directions for people causing obstructions or behaving in an intimidatory or harassing manner, or to people who might cause or be likely to cause fear in another person.

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