Abstract
On 14 December 2025, 15 people were killed during a Hanukkah ceremony at Bondi Beach in NSW. Sincere condolences to all who have been affected. A Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion, led by retired High Court Justice, Virginia Bell AC, will examine the events leading up to the terrorist attack. An Interim Report is due on 30 April 2026 and the Final Report on 14 December 2026. The terms of reference include: Tackling antisemitism by investigating the nature and prevalence of antisemitism, and its key drivers in Australia Making recommendations that will assist law enforcement, border control, immigration and security agencies to tackle antisemitism Examining the circumstances surrounding the antisemitic Bondi terrorist attack Making any other recommendations arising out of the inquiry for strengthening social cohesion in Australia and countering the spread of ideologically and religiously motivated extremism in Australia.
For further reading, see Helen Livingstone, ‘A national tragedy 30 years ago united Australia. Why hasn’t the Bondi shooting?’, BBC News, 23 January 2026.
Ten of the Best
Lawyers Weekly recently published its list of 2025’s top ten stories about and for women in law. Stories include why Commonwealth Youth Games gold-medal winner, Jade Hopper, traded in her tennis racquet for a career in law; a court decision on paid parental leave that changed the way disputes between new parents and their employers are handled; several articles on how women in law can embrace intimacy, sexual empowerment, self-confidence and even being happy and fulfilled with their legal work – which apparently isn’t just an indulgence.
Despite all that, the swan song was a story on why women lawyers want to leave the profession. A blog post by the Women Lawyers Association of NSW, ‘Talented female lawyers in Australia are leaving the profession – it’s the profession that needs to change’, pointed out lob-sided gender make up, especially at the top of the profession, antiquated attitudes, embedded biases, widespread harassment and bullying as some of the reasons women lawyers are leaving. It seems like the only thing that is quick to be embraced in the profession is rapidly changing technology that is increasingly being used for such things as on-line dispute resolution, and Artificial Intelligence. (Naomi Neilson, ‘2025’s top 10 stories about and for women in law’, Lawyers Weekly, 23 December 2025 https://www.lawyersweekly.com.au/biglaw/43539-2025-s-top-10-stories-about-and-for-women-in-law.)
Bleeding Ridiculous
A Vanuatu Council has bowed to social alarm and pressure by repealing a law that banned menstruating women from preparing and selling food at markets and roadsides. Vanuatu’s Prime Minister Jotham Napat described the law as an embarrassment, draconian, unenforceable and a ‘stark reminder of the need for greater understanding and respect for women’s rights and dignity’. The law would have imposed fines and jail sentences on offenders. The Prime Minister called on the Shefa Provincial Council to find better ways to generate income. (Lillyrose Welwel and Maddy Morwood, ‘Vanuatu Council repeals law banning menstruating women from selling food’, ABC News, 18 November 2025.)
In Australia the usual response to matters menstrual is silence. There are no federal laws covering the issue and the ACT alone recognises the right to free menstrual products in schools and public places. Some organisations such as the Victorian Women’s Trust publish their menstruation policy on their website. The UN’s menstrual policies recognise menstrual health as a human right, aiming to abolish menstrual poverty by 2030, by focusing on universal access to safe, affordable products, private sanitation facilities and comprehensive education to end stigma.
It’s about bloody time our law makers recognised that half of the population is affected by menstruation and menopause, and they need to ensure we have laws that are equitable not discriminatory.