Royal Commission

Royal Commissions are the highest form of public inquiry in countries like Australia and New Zealand. They are independent bodies established by governments to investigate matters of significant public importance. They possess broad powers to compel testimony and gather evidence, and their findings can influence policy and legislation. They are newsworthy currently due to two separate instances: In New Zealand, a Royal Commission recently released its report on the country's COVID-19 response, assessing its effectiveness and highlighting lasting impacts. In Australia, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced a Royal Commission into the Bondi Beach shooting, a deadly attack targeting a Jewish festival. This inquiry will examine the circumstances surrounding the shooting and potentially lead to recommendations on gun control, hate speech, and antisemitism. Both instances demonstrate the Royal Commission's role in addressing critical national issues and shaping future policy.