{"id":390356,"date":"2026-01-04T04:44:19","date_gmt":"2026-01-04T04:44:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/390356\/"},"modified":"2026-01-04T04:44:19","modified_gmt":"2026-01-04T04:44:19","slug":"australian-sporting-legends-demand-royal-commission-into-bondi-shooting-and-rise-of-anti-semitism","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/390356\/","title":{"rendered":"Australian sporting legends demand royal commission into Bondi shooting and rise of anti-Semitism"},"content":{"rendered":"

Australian sporting legends past and present have penned a letter to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese demanding a royal commission into the shooting tragedy at Bondi<\/a> and the alarming rise of anti-Semitism.<\/p>\n

Seventy sporting icons, including Olympic<\/a> champions Ian Thorpe and Jessica Fox, swimming icon Dawn Fraser and AFL great Leigh Matthews, want the federal government to demonstrate \u201cdecisive national leadership\u201d and confront \u201cextremism and terrorism in all its forms\u201d.<\/p>\n

Read the full statement below.<\/p>\n

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\u201cToday, we cannot stay silent,\u201d they said. \u201cThis is not the Australia we represented.\u201d<\/p>\n

Other signatories to the powerful statement include tennis champions Lleyton Hewitt and Pat Rafter, hockey gold medallist Nova Peris, rowing gold medallist Michael McKay, former surfing world champion Mick Fanning, former Australian rugby union captain John Eales, and former Australian cricket captain Michael Clarke.<\/p>\n

AFL legends on the letter include former champions Chris Judd and Wayne Carey, current stars Isaac Heeney and Scott Pendlebury, and current coaches Alastair Clarkson, Dean Cox, Luke Beveridge and Ross Lyon.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs sporting leaders, we understand that leadership matters, especially when values are tested,\u201d they said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is a national crisis, and it demands a national response.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is bigger than politics.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is about the character of our country and the Australia we want future generations to inherit.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Australia\u2019sAustralia\u2019s best-known sporting identities are calling on Anthony Albanese to order a royal commission into the Bondi shooting. Credit: Getty<\/p>\n

Former spy chief Dennis Richardson is leading a review into the actions of security agencies and federal police on the day of the Bondi tragedy.<\/p>\n

But the sporting legends say that is not enough.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe call on the Australian Government to immediately establish a Commonwealth royal commission into anti-Semitism, radicalisation and the events leading up to the Bondi massacre, as well as take other immediate action to protect the public,\u201d the letter reads.<\/p>\n

\u201cA royal commission is the most credible and unifying pathway to understanding what went wrong, ensuring accountability, restoring social harmony and taking Australia forward with a meaningful, practical plan of action.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dawn Fraser said she was ashamed of Australia\u2019s leaders and how they have dealt with the terror attack.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs one of the most senior Australian athletes who has competed under the Australian flag, I am ashamed of this country\u2019s leaders in how they have dealt with the atrocities that happen on 14 December 2025,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat they have let the Jewish community endure over the past few years is deplorable and not what people that choose to live in this country deserve.<\/p>\n

\u201cI support this letter 100 per cent and will stand by the Jewish community and demand we get to the bottom of this evil.\u201d<\/p>\n

Read the full statement<\/p>\n

On 14 December 2025, the deadliest terrorist attack in Australia\u2019s history took place at the iconic Bondi Beach.<\/p>\n

As Australians who have had the honour of playing and coaching our sport at the highest level including representing our nation with pride, integrity and dignity, we extend our deepest sympathy to the families who lost fifteen loved ones in this atrocity \u2013 including 10 year old Matilda, whose smile we will never forget.<\/p>\n

Since this horrific attack, a wide cross-section of Australian leaders \u2013 including those from law, national security, business and public service \u2013 have joined with the victims\u2019 families to publicly call for a Commonwealth Royal Commission into anti-Semitism, radicalisation and the events that led to 14 December.<\/p>\n

This attack did not occur in isolation.<\/p>\n

It followed more than two years of escalating extremism, intimidation and unchecked radicalisation within Australia. 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.<\/p>\n

As sports leaders, past and present, we have witnessed first-hand the power of sport to unite Australians of every background, belief and community.<\/p>\n

Across generations, we have stood for fairness, respect, equality and the principle that every Australian \u2013 no matter who they are \u2013 deserves safety, dignity and the freedom to live without fear.<\/p>\n

Today, we cannot remain silent.<\/p>\n

This is not who we are. This is not the Australia we represented. As sporting leaders, we understand that leadership matters, especially when values are tested. 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.<\/p>\n

We must also put an end to the unprecedented harassment, intimidation and violence that has been directed at the Australian Jewish community since October 7, 2023. This is a national crisis, and it demands a national response. This is bigger than politics. It is about the character of our country and the Australia we want future generations to inherit.<\/p>\n

With the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games approaching, the eyes of the world will soon be upon Australia. The safety of our citizens, the integrity of our public spaces, and the values we project as a nation have never mattered more.<\/p>\n

We call on the Australian government to immediately establish a Commonwealth Royal Commission into anti-Semitism, radicalisation and the events leading up to the Bondi massacre, as well as take other immediate action to protect the public.<\/p>\n

A royal commission is the most credible and unifying pathway to understanding what went wrong, ensuring accountability, restoring social harmony and taking Australia forward with a meaningful, practical plan of action.<\/p>\n

As Australians who have long championed unity and national pride \u2013 on the field and beyond it \u2013 we implore our leaders to act with urgency and moral clarity.<\/p>\n

The safety of Australians, and the future cohesion of our nation, depends on it.<\/p>\n

Signed<\/p>\n

John Alexander OAM, tennis; Peter Antonie OAM, rowing; Luke Beveridge, AFL; Raelene Boyle AM, MBE Athletics; Steve Bradbury OAM, speed skating; Wayne Carey, AFL; Emma Carney, triathlon; Michael Clarke AO, cricket; Alastair Clarkson, AFL; Denis Cotterell, swimming; Dean Cox, AFL; David Crawshay OAM, rowing; Rob de Castella AO MBE, marathon; Phil Davis, AFL; Robert DiPierdomenico, AFL; Louise Dobson OAM, hockey; Mick Doohan, motorcycle racing; Josh Eagle, tennis; John Eales AM, rugby union; Chris Fagan, AFL; Mick Fanning AO, surfing; Brad Fittler, NRL; Jess Fox OAM, canoe slalom; Dawn Fraser AC MBE, swimming; Richard Fromberg, tennis; Drew Ginn OAM, rowing; Grant Hackett OAM, swimming; Shane Heal, basketball; Gerard Healy, AFL; Greg Healy, AFL; Isaac Heeney, AFL; Lleyton Hewitt, tennis; Andrew Hoy OAM, equestrian; Chris Judd, AFL; Phil Kearns AM, rugby union; John Kennedy Jnr, AFL; Michael Klim OAM, swimming; Anthony Koutoufides, AFL; John Longmire, AFL; Ross Lyon, AFL; John Maclean OAM, triathlete; Russell Mark OAM, shooting; Susie Maroney OAM, marathon swimming; Leigh Matthews, AFL; Cam McEvoy OAM, swimming; Robbie McEwen AM, cycling; Mike McKay OAM, rowing; Anthony Minichiello, NRL; Michelle Mitchell OAM (nee Andrews), hockey; Jenny Morris OAM, hockey; Sam Newman, AFL; Sally Pearson OAM, athletics; Scott Pendlebury, AFL; Nova Peris OAM, hockey\/athletics; Pat Rafter AM, tennis; Clint Robinson OAM, surf life saving & kayaking; Rohan Robinson athletics; Danni Roche OAM, hockey; Ken Roche AO, athletics; Steve Solomon, athletics; Renee Stubbs, tennis; Stacey Taurima, athletics; Andrew Thompson, AFL; Ian Thorpe AM, swimming; James Tomkins OAM, rowing, David Wansbrough OAM, hockey, Gai Waterhouse AO, horse racing, Grant Wharrington, sailing; Greg \u2018Diesel\u2019 Williams, AFL.<\/p>\n

– With The Nightly<\/p>\n

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