A long list of Australian sporting greats have called for a Commonwealth Royal Commission into the Bondi terror attack in a powerful open letter to the Prime Minister.
The statement, signed by a total of 62 of the nation’s top sporting names, adds to the ever-growing pressure on Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to show “decisive national leadership”.
Among the signatories are horse racing legend Gai Waterhouse, Olympic gold medallist swimmers Ian Thorpe and Grant Hackett, former Olympian and senator Nova Peris, former surfing world champion Mick Fanning, former national cricket captain Michael Clarke, grand slam tennis champions Pat Rafter and Lleyton Hewitt, Winter Olympic speed skating gold medallist Steven Bradbury and Australian Olympic legends Dawn Fraser and Raelene Boyle.
Prominent sporting coaches are also among the notable names, such as the Sydney Swans’ longtime former coach John Longmire and Brisbane lions’ two-time Premiership winning head coach Chris Fagan.
The non-partisan statement extended the “deepest sympathy” to the families who lost loved ones on December 14, including 10-year-old Matilda “whose smile we will never forget”.
“This attack did not occur in isolation. It followed more than two years of escalating extremism, intimidation and unchecked radicalisation within Australia,” the letter read.
“What unfolded at Bondi was an act of terrorism driven by violent extremist ideology, and its consequences have shaken the foundations of our national safety and social cohesion.”
As sporting leaders, the signatories said they witnessed firsthand the power sport has to unite Australians from every background and community.
The sports leaders, of ranging ages and professions, said they were united by “fairness, respect, equality” and the principle every Australian deserves to “live without fear”.
“Today, we cannot remain silent. This is not who we are. This is not the Australia we represented,” they said.
“We call on the Prime Minister and the Australian Government to show decisive national leadership by confronting extremism and terrorism in all its forms, without fear or hesitation.”
READ THE LETTER IN FULL
The sports leaders highlighted how Australia would host the 2032 Olympic Games in Brisbane, which would become a moment when the “eyes of the world” would be upon Australia again.
“The safety of our citizens, the integrity of our public spaces, and the values we project as a nation have never mattered more,” the statement read.
“We call on the Australian Government to immediately establish a Commonwealth Royal Commission into antisemitism, radicalisation and the events leading up to the Bondi massacre as well as take other immediate action to protect the public.
“The safety of Australians, and the future cohesion of our nation, depends on it.”
Olympic gold medallist swimmers Ian Thorpe and Grant Hackett have openly condemned the “abhorrent” attack on the Jewish community at Bondi Beach and have powerfully declared the moment for Australia to “act”.
“Hate should have no place in Australia. The hate experienced by the Jewish community and our whole community in Bondi and beyond was abhorrent, unjustified and not the Australia I know and love,” Thorpe said in a statement.
“Unfortunately Jewish people are not the only group targeted by hate. First Nations people, people of different faiths, ethnicity and even LGBTIQ+ people remain among those facing rising levels of vilification and targeted violence.
“Governments at both the federal and state level must do everything in their power to protect all communities who are subjected to hate and violence, now!”
Hackett said a Commonwealth Royal Commission was “vital” to protect the very fabric of Australian society.
“When our values are tested, Australians expect strength and leadership — and the tragedy at Bondi was a defining moment for who we are as a nation,” Hackett said in a statement.
“A Commonwealth Royal Commission is vital to protect our social fabric, support the Jewish community, and uphold the Australian way of life we are proud to call our own. Our response must match the gravity of this moment — Australia must act.”
On Wednesday, Australia’s Human Rights Commissioner Lorraine Finlay joined the calls for a federal Royal Commission into the Bondi terror attack, adding to the pressure on Mr Albanese to reconsider his refusal.
Ms Finlay publicly endorsed a federal probe while warning a narrow departmental review into intelligence and law enforcement failures would not go far enough to confront the underlying causes of the massacre.
Her intervention came after the Prime Minister on Thursday refused to reveal the unnamed “actual experts” who he claimed advised him against establishing a Royal Commission.
“The Richardson Review will examine our national security framework. But understanding the deeper causes of violence is critical,” Ms Finlay said in a post to LinkedIn.
“The Bondi terrorist attack was driven by anti-Semitism. Confronting that directly must be a national priority.
“A federal Royal Commission is essential to fully understand what has happened and ensure it never happens again.”
THE FULL LIST OF SIGNATORIES