Sometimes, when you start a new year, it looks the same as the last one.
That’s what we have with Anthony Albanese’s excuse for leadership over the Christmas break when he slow-walked his decision to hold a Royal Commission into the Bondi terror attack.
As always with Albanese, when there’s a problem to be solved, you can count on him to be late – and to offer half-solutions.
Rather than fixing real national problems, Albanese’s approach to governing is all about political management.
The terms of reference for the Royal Commission speak to Albanese’s political expediency: this is his attempt to get the media and the public off his back. It’s not a sincere effort to identify the hatred and radicalisation that led to the terrorist attack last month.
How else can you explain the absence of any mention of radical Islamism in the aims of the Royal Commission?
The Royal Commission will look at "religiously motivated extremism” and the causes of antisemitism, but Albanese and Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke have expressly avoided talking about the specific extreme version of religion that has produced antisemitism and terrorism.
Burke and Albanese have emphasised they do not want to compromise “social cohesion” by calling out one religion for its extremists.
My contention is that social cohesion was already compromised by the two men who murdered Jews on Bondi Beach and by the hate preachers who foster extremism.
And the simple fact that the Prime Minister cannot speak forthrightly about the reality of Islamism is itself evidence that social cohesion is compromised.
You don’t get social cohesion with weasel words like “diversity is our strength” or generalisations about hate.
You get stronger, more united communities when you are honest about what values are expected, when you correctly identify the threat to those values without fear or favour, and deal with it.
But speaking honestly, clearly, and fixing problems is simply not something Albanese is capable of.
Offer a political fix and he’ll take it.
Offer him an opportunity to actually lead the nation and he’s nowhere to be found.
Time for REAL solutions.
Jacinta Nampijinpa Price
Senator for the Northern Territory
P.S. You can read my statement on the Combatting Antisemitism, Hate and Extremism Bill 2026 on Facebook or X.In short:
Anthony Albanese’s bill curtails free speech.
Anthony Albanese’s bill is not serious about combatting the root causes of antisemitism, which include radical Islamism.
And for these reasons, I will oppose the bill.
About
Jacinta Nampijinpa Price is your Senator for the Northern Territory, and the former deputy mayor of Alice Springs.
Contact
Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price
Country Liberal Party (NT)
1.229 McMillans Road, Jingili
NT 0810
Authorised by Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price, Country Liberal Party (NT)
1.229 McMillans Road, Jingili NT 0810.
