Do royal commissions live up to public expectations? How might this us better understand the devastating attack at Bondi beach? Royal Commissions hold a unique and critical place in Australia's system of governance with over 130 federal commissions being held since 1902. Pressure is mounting on the Albanese government to convene a commission in response to the devastating shooting of Jewish community members celebrating Hanukkah at Bondi beach on December 14, 2025. Is this the most appropriate action for the federal government to take? What happens if we use royal commissions as a default response to all matters of public concern or as a political weapon? What will the Richardson Review achieve?

This course focuses on the record of federal governments implementation of royal commission recommendations, alternatives used in other countries and what the Australian Law Reform Commission recommended in 2010 when it conducted the first ever review into royal commissions after 107 years of operation.

DELIVERY MODE

• Face-to-Face / Online

SUGGESTED READING

• SBS News Australia, As calls grow for a Bondi royal commission, do Albanese's arguments stand up?
• The Age, Royal commissions are often used to buy time, not create change
• Parliament of Australia, Royal Commissions and Commissions of Inquiry
• Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, Independent Commonwealth Review into Australia’s federal law enforcement and intelligence agencies terms of reference
• National Library of Australia, Law Reform Commission report 'Inquiring into inquiries : the review of the Royal Commissions Act' (2009)
• Federal Register of Legislation, Federal Royal Commissions Act (1902)

COURSE OUTLINE

• What is the purpose of a federal Royal Commissions in Australia's system of governance?
• What topics have the 130 federal royal commissions examined since 1902?
• Why is pressure mounting on the Albanese government to convene a royal commission?
• Do royal commissions live up to people's expectations? What impact do they have?
• What happens if we use royal commissions as a default response to all matters of public concern or as a political weapon?
• What will the Richardson Review into the Bondi shooting achieve?
• What did the Australian Law Reform Commission recommend in 2010 when it conducted the first ever review into royal commissions after 107 years of operation?

LEARNING OUTCOMES

By the end of this course, students should be able to:

1. Understand the purpose of a federal Royal Commissions and the role they play in Australia's system of governance.
2. Be familiar with the history of royal commissions since 1902. - Evaluate the impact of royal commissions.
3. Determine the difference between the Richardson Review into the Bondi shooting.
4. Contribute to a critical discussion about what happens if we use royal commissions as a default response to all matters of public concern or as a political weapon.
5. Express their thoughts about the most effective ways governments can respond to the complexity of the devastating shooting on members of the Jewish community at Bondi beach on December 14, 2025.