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.” ‘Today, we have unity’ Sussan Ley lashed Anthony Albanese on Friday over his continued refusal to establish a royal commission. The Opposition Leader claimed the Prime Minister had “always had the power to do something”. “In avoiding a Commonwealth royal commission, he is clearly avoiding the real call to action, to do what needs to be done to respond to anti-Semitism and to shine a light on what we have seen in this country that has indeed frayed social cohesion in an unacceptable way that is not the Australia we have all come to know and love,” Ms Ley said. Addressing the joint letter, Ms Ley said it showed a “unity in purpose”. “The Prime Minister called for unity in the early days after the Bondi massacre. Today, we have unity,” she said. “We have unity of purpose, and we have unity in a request for this Commonwealth royal commission, and it crosses all sectors of society … and most importantly, it is above politics because people who might identify with different sides of politics in the past, in the present have all come together. “ Representatives of some of Australia's biggest employers have also penned their own letter in support of a royal commission. The letter, jointly penned by groups including the Australian Banking Association, Australian Industry Group, and Master Builders Australia, said a royal commission “would send a signal to the world that Australia is committed to providing safe and inclusive communities, and intends to lead in overcoming anti-Semitism”. “In turn, this signal would help ensure Australia remains a beacon for capital and talent from around the globe and the best country in which to live, work and raise a family,” the letter said. It also noted the importance of not letting grief “turn into ongoing anger and division” as many return to the workplace. “Workplaces are perhaps the greatest melting pots we have as a country, where people from truly diverse backgrounds come together to work for their common success,” the letter stated. “Without sustainably safe and cohesive workplaces and communities, we cannot deliver prosperity for all Australians, which is the ultimate objective underpinning the advocacy and efforts of our organisations.” PM rules out royal commission Mr 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, Mr Albanese 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.”