The public is "hopping mad" about the Ruby Princess scandal, which is why a royal commission is the best way to get to the bottom of who is responsible for the debacle, according to Labor's Ed Husic.
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian has ordered a special commission of inquiry into the Ruby Princess fiasco.
The inquiry is expected to last four months and will be headed up by Bret Walker.
That inquiry will coincide with a homicide investigation by NSW police.
The state and federal agencies have disagreed over who is responsible for allowing 2,700 passengers to disembark off the Ruby Princess unchecked into Sydney in March.
The death toll from cases linked to the ship stands at 21, with one family planning to take legal action against the cruise company, Princess Cruise Lines.
Mr Husic told Sky News this is a "cross border issue," which is why it needs a federal-based inquiry.
