Pressure is mounting on Anthony Albanese to announce a Federal Royal Commission into the Bondi Terror Attack. With the family of a Lindt Cafe siege victim also calling for the move. This comes as a survey from Nine Newspapers reveals most people are in support of a federal investigation. Joining us to discuss today’s headlines is Shadow Immigration Minister Paul Scarr and 3AW Presenter Shane McInnes. Good Morning to you both. Happy Boxing Day to you. Paul, clearly, more people want action against extremism, that much is clear. Do you think that a Royal Commission is the best way to do it?
Senator Scarr
Well, a Royal Commission is part of the answer. Clearly there needs to be a Federal Royal Commission. We’re dealing with issues that impact federal security agencies. We’re dealing with antisemitism across this country. It’s crossing state borders. We saw that horrific firebombing of the Rabbi’s motor vehicle on Christmas Day. Just an outrageous act, and the case is mounting. It’s indisputable. We need to have a Federal Royal Commission.
Host
Shane, there is public interest in this. Forty-eight percent of people are backing it. Does the Government need to reconsider their actions here?
Shane McInnes
They absolutely do. There is public push, there is push from the media, but also you have high profile lawyers, barristers, judges – they are all pushing for a Royal Commission as well. I think the fact that we had seen this buildup of antisemitism over a couple of years since the October 7 attacks, people want to know what bearing did that have on the Bondi terror attacks, and the fact that the father of Katrina Dawson came out and questioned the authority of a state based inquiry to compel those federal agencies, that goes to show we need a Federal Royal Commission so that everyone is held accountable for our worst terrorist attack.
Host
Paul, lots of talk around Immigration, and should we be tightening measures about who comes into the country? If you were on the other side of things if you were in Government, what would your move be here?
Senator Scarr
We need to have better screening of people coming into Australia, and the special envoy to combat anti semitism, in her recommendations, which were presented to the government back in July. She called the better screening and vetting of people seeking to come into the country for antisemitism and extremist views. So, there’s absolutely no question – we need better screening, and we also need to tighten up our Migration Act in terms of cancelation of visas and other measures under the Migration Act.
Host
Moving on this Boxing Day and Christmas Celebrations have spilled out on to Sydney beaches once again, with around 15,000 people attending Coogee Beach yesterday, leading to a major cleanup operation by local council. Now look, I’m all for people gathering and having a great time, particularly these expats who are celebrating away from their family and making Australia their home this year. But Paul, this is the third year in a row that we’ve seen it happen. First, Bronte Beach, now they’ve shifted it to Coogee Beach. When you see mess like that, rubbish all over our beaches, and complete disregard for our public land. It’s very frustrating, isn’t it?
Senator Scarr
Well, putting our kitchen post post-Christmas mess into some sort of context. Can I just give a call out to all those council workers on Christmas Day? I mean the job they were facing and clean up that mess. – that’s just extraordinary, but good luck to them as essential workers cleaning up other people’s parties.
Host
Yes, it’s so true. Our poor rangers must go out this morning and clean up this mess. Shane, how do we stop this from happening? Do we need to have crowd control at our beaches for celebrations like this?
Shane McInnes
I think it’s a hard thing to think that you need crowd control on beaches on Christmas Day of all days, and you would think that there would just be some responsibility. That you have this privileged opportunity to go down, enjoy some of Australia’s best beaches, just clean up after yourself. Do you know what, we see one group clean up after themselves, then other people will start to take the role. I mean, the fact that the barmy army of all people, were able to clean up after themselves at the Adelaide Oval, and they lost, you would think we could all have a bit of Christmas spirit and just clean up and take the rubbish home for the next people.
Host
They were heartbroken, and they still managed to clean up after themselves. We need to be sent into the barmy army. That’s what we need to do here.
Senator Scarr
They should be playing in the test!
Host
A low blow, but we’ll take it. Hello to all our British friends who are watching early this Boxing Day. Finally on Boxing Day, millions of Aussies are expected to lap it up in the annual Christmas Sales spending an estimated $1.6 billion today. Paul, what’s on your wish list?
Senator Scarr
I will not be going anywhere near a Boxing Day Sale today. I’ll be at home watching the Boxing Day Test. It’s the one day of the year that I do not go shopping. But can I just wish all those bargain hunters all the best.
Host
You know, there is such a thing, Paul, as online shopping though. I’ve logged in this morning, and for weeks I’ve been building up my little wish list, and I’ve just been seeing what’s on sale. You know you can do it online.
Senator Scarr
Yes, good idea.
Host
Shane, have you got a strategy? How are you going to be spending the day?
Shane McInnes
Look, there were a couple of things that my son got yesterday from Santa that he wanted to return. I said, we’re just going to leave it a couple of days. But look, my strategy is having worked in retail previously. Just remember, not everything is on sale. You go into these stores, you think, I’ll grab this. I’ll grab that. I’ll grab that. Not everything is on sale. Make sure that you’re getting a bargain before going up to the till and paying for it, because otherwise you look at the receipt and go, hold on, that wasn’t on sale. So, just a little bit of advice this Boxing Day.
Host
Obviously one of the other big things happening today is the Boxing Day Test. Do we care about whitewashing? I’m struggling this morning, and the crew disagree with me here, but I am struggling to get excited about it.
Senator Scarr
We care about whitewash. 4 Nil.
Host
All right, I’ll book my spot in front of the table.
Shane McInnes
5-Nil.
Host
Sounds like everyone’s going to be watching the cricket. They’re going to be watching Sydney to Hobart. Not sure if you are going to be online shopping, but I’m going to be doing that too. Thank you for joining us this morning!
