Anthony Albanese’s resistance to calling a national royal commission in the wake of Bondi is nearly impossible to comprehend.

Some would argue a benign explanation – that he misjudged the national mood and has dug himself into a hole. Others think he may fear what an inquiry might turn up, in terms of his government’s failures in combatting the spread of antisemitism.

The calls for a federal royal commission are now reaching a roar.

The pressure was palpable at Sunday night’s memorial service at Bondi, where Albanese was booed. He’d offered to speak, but organisers decided that could produce an unseemly reaction.

There are stirrings within Labor. Backbencher Mike Freelander, who is Jewish, told the Australian Financial Review there should be a royal commission.

“It seems to me that there are national issues, so the national government needs to be the one dealing with it,” he said.

Ed Husic, a former minister and a Muslim, agrees.

“In the aftermath of the horrific events of Bondi we all need to know not just how this happened – but what we can do to root out extremism, whatever form it comes in,” he said.

“I’ve previously said I don’t care if it’s Islamist or far-right extremism, anything that presents a threat to Australians must be confronted.”

Albanese argues a royal commission would take a long time and he doesn’t want to slow responses.

“We want urgency and unity, not division and delay,” he told a........

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