A WIDE-RANGING royal commission into anti-semitism has been announced by Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, weeks after two gunmen killed 15 people at a Jewish holiday event at Bondi Beach.

It will will investigate the nature, prevalence and drivers of anti-semitism generally as well as the circumstances of the mass shooting, Albanese said in Canberra on Thursday. 

The inquiry will also make recommendations for law enforcement, strengthening social cohesion and countering the spread of extremism.

A royal commission, which is the most powerful form of government-commissioned inquiry that can be held in Australia, has the power to summon witnesses and request documents as evidence. It will be led by former High Court judge Virginia Bell, Mr Albanese said.

A report is due by December 14, which will be a year to the day since the shooting during a Hanukkah celebration at the Sydney landmark.

“This was an anti-semitic terrorist attack, aimed at Jewish Australians, inspired by Isis, the deadliest that has ever occurred on Australian soil,” said Mr Albanese, referring to the Islamic State group. 

The surviving suspect, Naveed Akram, faces dozens of criminal charges including murder and terrorism.

He has yet to enter a plea. His father, Sajid Akram, was shot dead by police during the episode.