Antisemitism royal commission to report later than planned

The Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion has had its deadline extended by four days so that it does not clash with the anniversary of the Bondi Massacre.

The months-long royal commission was slated to hand down its final report on 14 December, the first anniversary of the mass shooting that left 15 people dead. The commission will now report on 18 December.

In a statement, commissioner Virginia Bell AC SC said she requested the extension from the federal government so that her final report did "not overshadow the first anniversary of the Bondi Chanukah attack".

"The 14th of December will be a solemn occasion marked by memorials," the statement said.

"I am aware of concern within the Jewish community that delivery of the report on the anniversary would be a distraction. I welcome this short extension."

Established on 9 January, the royal commission heard evidence from 348 witnesses over 62 days of hearings in Sydney and Melbourne.

Bell is currently preparing her final report, which will examine this evidence alongside more than 20,000 public submissions.

On 26 August, the final day of public hearings, Bell told the commission her focus had been on the lives of ordinary Jewish Australians.

"The Bondi Chanukah attack came after more than two years of a marked increase in antisemitism throughout Australia," she said.

"Laying out the picture of the lived experience of antisemitism is a critical part of any steps to combat that phenomenon."

She also flagged that she would seek the four-day extension.

An interim report was released on 30 April and made 14 recommendations to strengthen counterterrorism responses.

For the latest from SBS News, download our app and subscribe to our newsletter.