Victoria
Bid to extend antisemitism royal commission fails
An MP warns critical players have not been heard after a bid to extend the antisemitism inquiry timeline failed.
A bid to extend the timeline of the royal commission on antisemitism has failed to gain traction, alongside an unsuccessful push to have the prime minister appear before the inquiry.
According to reporting by a wire service, the efforts to prolong the inquiry and secure testimony from the prime minister did not find the necessary support to proceed. The development comes amid warnings from an unnamed member of parliament that the inquiry is at risk of overlooking key perspectives.
The MP expressed concerns that several critical players have not yet been heard by the inquiry. It remains unconfirmed which specific organisations, experts or individuals the politician believes have been excluded from the proceedings, or what specific evidence they hoped to enter into the official record.
Details surrounding why the proposal to extend the timeline was rejected also remain thin. It is not yet clear which political parties or independent members led the push, nor has the government publicly detailed its reasoning for refusing to alter the existing schedule or arrange for the prime minister to front the inquiry.
The royal commission was established to examine issues surrounding antisemitism. Proponents of the extension had argued that a longer timeframe was necessary to allow for a more comprehensive investigation, particularly given the complex and sensitive nature of the subject matter under review.
With the proposed extension defeated, the inquiry is expected to proceed under its original terms of reference.
Observers will now be watching to see if the MP or other advocates release further details regarding the specific individuals and organisations they believe were excluded from the hearings.
This report draws on original reporting by Wire report.
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