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.<\/p>\n
The statement, signed by a total of 62 of the nation\u2019s top sporting names, adds to the ever-growing pressure on Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to show \u201cdecisive national leadership\u201d.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Prominent sporting coaches are also among the notable names, such as the Sydney Swans\u2019 longtime former coach John Longmire and Brisbane lions\u2019 two-time Premiership winning head coach Chris Fagan.<\/p>\n
The non-partisan statement extended the \u201cdeepest sympathy\u201d to the families who lost loved ones on December 14, including 10-year-old Matilda \u201cwhose smile we will never forget\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis attack did not occur in isolation. It followed more than two years of escalating extremism, intimidation and unchecked radicalisation within Australia,\u201d the letter read.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
As sporting leaders, the signatories said they witnessed firsthand the power sport has to unite Australians from every background and community.<\/p>\n
The sports leaders, of ranging ages and professions, said they were united by \u201cfairness, respect, equality\u201d and the principle every Australian deserves to \u201clive without fear\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cToday, we cannot remain silent. This is not who we are. This is not the Australia we represented,\u201d they said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
READ THE LETTER IN FULL<\/p>\n
The sports leaders highlighted how Australia would host the 2032 Olympic Games in Brisbane, which would become a moment when the \u201ceyes of the world\u201d would be upon Australia again.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe safety of our citizens, the integrity of our public spaces, and the values we project as a nation have never mattered more,\u201d the statement read.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe 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.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe safety of Australians, and the future cohesion of our nation, depends on it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Olympic gold medallist swimmers Ian Thorpe and Grant Hackett have openly condemned the \u201cabhorrent\u201d attack on the Jewish community at Bondi Beach and have powerfully declared the moment for Australia to \u201cact\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cHate should have no place in Australia. The hate experienced\u00a0by the Jewish community and our whole community in Bondi and beyond was abhorrent, unjustified and not the Australia I know and love,\u201d Thorpe said in a statement.<\/p>\n
\u201cUnfortunately Jewish people are not\u00a0the 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.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u201cGovernments 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!\u201d<\/p>\n
Hackett said a Commonwealth Royal Commission was \u201cvital\u201d to protect the very fabric of Australian society.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen our values are tested, Australians expect strength and leadership \u2014 and the tragedy at Bondi was a defining moment for who we are as a nation,\u201d Hackett said in a statement.<\/p>\n
\u201cA 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 \u2014 Australia must act.\u201d<\/p>\n