Prominent Australian sports figures are amplifying calls for a national royal commission to investigate anti-Semitism and the recent terror attack in Bondi, which left 15 dead and dozens injured. This outcry follows a joint statement from a group of well-known athletes, including Olympians and stars from the Australian Football League (AFL) and National Rugby League (NRL), who emphasize that Australia’s safety and social cohesion have been severely compromised.
Growing Demands for Accountability
In a statement released on Sunday, the athletes expressed their concern that the Bondi attack was not an isolated incident. They pointed to a pattern of escalating extremism, intimidation, and radicalisation that has persisted for over two years. “This attack did not occur in isolation,” the statement read. “Across generations, we have stood for fairness, respect, equality, and the principle that every Australian—no matter who they are—deserves safety, dignity, and the freedom to live without fear.”
The statement was coordinated by Olympic champions such as Nova Peris, former swimmers Grant Hackett and Ian Thorpe, alongside other significant figures, including NRL commentator Brad Fittler and tennis player Lleyton Hewitt. On the day of the statement, Peris and fellow athlete Dawn Fraser joined families of victims at the attack site in Bondi to pay their respects.
Fraser, visibly emotional, stated, “This is not a gun problem, this is not a one-off problem; this is an anti-Semitism problem.” She criticized political leaders for their inaction, asserting, “Our leaders have sat on their hands too scared to say anything or do anything because heaven forbid they might be called racist.” Fraser called on Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and other key ministers to take decisive action. “If the Jewish community is calling for a royal commission, then do the right thing,” she urged.
Political Responses and Future Implications
In response to the mounting pressure, Albanese has resisted calls for a royal commission. Instead, he announced the initiation of the Richardson Review, led by former Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) head Dennis Richardson. This review aims to assess how law enforcement and security agencies responded to the Bondi massacre. The Prime Minister maintains that a royal commission would not provide the immediate solutions required following the attack on December 14, 2023.
The call for a royal commission is supported by various stakeholders, including victims’ families, legal experts, Jewish organizations, and over 100 business leaders. Alex Ryvchin, co-chief executive of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, expressed gratitude for the athletes’ intervention, stating, “Your intervention should not have been necessary. It should have been enough for the government to see the need for a royal commission when 15 of our people were slaughtered metres from here.”
The public safety concerns extend beyond the current situation, especially with the Brisbane 2032 Olympics on the horizon. The athletes highlighted that the eyes of the world will soon be on Australia and that the safety and integrity of public spaces have never mattered more.
In a related context, heavily armed police units are currently patrolling venues such as the Sydney Cricket Ground during the final Ashes Test. Assistant Commissioner Leanne McCusker from the NSW Police counter-terrorism squad clarified that the presence of specialized rifles among some officers is not in response to any specific threat but a precautionary measure.
On-field tributes have been paid to the victims of the Bondi massacre, as well as to first responders and community heroes, including Ahmed al Ahmed. These tributes included a guard of honour and a round of applause recognizing the contributions of emergency response agencies and community members.
As the conversation surrounding anti-Semitism and public safety continues, the athletes’ powerful call for a royal commission underscores the urgent need for thorough investigation and action in Australia.
