Billionaire James Packer joins calls for a Commonwealth royal commission, alongside more than 100 Australian business leaders

Billionaire James Packer is one of more than 100 Australian business leaders who have signed an open letter supporting a Commonwealth royal commission into anti-Semitism. The letter – first published in the Australian – is signed by prominent Australians including Mr Packer, former RBA governors Philip Lowe and Glenn Stevens, Woolworths Group chair Scott Perkins, and former politicians Jeff Kennett, James Merlino and Josh Frydenberg. “As business leaders and proud Australians committed to upholding our values of tolerance and mutual respect, we recognise the need for clear answers as to how the Bondi massacre could occur,” the letter said. “And for practical solutions to restore social cohesion and protect the safety of all Australians.” The letter said there had been “unprecedented harassment, intimidation and violence” directed towards Jewish Australians since October 7, 2023. “This is a national crisis, which requires a national response,” the statement read. “This goes beyond politics, it’s about the future of our country. “We call on the Australian government to immediately establish a Commonwealth royal commission as a first step towards taking Australia forward with a meaningful, practical plan of action.” Anthony Albanese has continually ruled out establishing a federal royal commission, saying the most appropriate national response — given the need for urgent action — is his government’s proposed departmental review. Instead of a Commonwealth probe, the Prime Minister has commissioned a review led by former ASIO chief Dennis Richardson, which will examine the powers of intelligence and law enforcement agencies in the lead up to the December 14 attack. Mr Albanese has also cited concerns for national security and social cohesion as reasons behind his decision. He claimed his government had been advised by “experts” against a royal commission. However, when pressed on the identity of those individuals on Thursday, he said: “Dennis Richardson is one, and I’ve spoken about the people who advise the government.” “They’re the heads of all of the authorities. They’re the heads of all the authorities, which is very publicly known,” he said. Despite ruling out a Commonwealth probe, Mr Albanese has acknowledged the calls to establish one — primarily from the Jewish community — come from a “good place”. “This atrocity is something which understandably people want answers on how it occurred,” he said on Tuesday. He also reiterated the Commonwealth’s commitment to complying with the state royal commission and emphasised the importance of the Richardson review. “We will have a NSW royal commission that will look at the actions clearly of NSW authorities, including the police response, gun licensing issues that are the prerogative of the NSW government. “But also we’ve said very clearly that the Commonwealth government will co-operate with those processes and will provide whatever information is requested is necessary during those processes.”