60 Australian Sports Stars - Call for Royal commission into Bondi attack -
60 Australian Sports Stars - Call for Royal commission into Bondi attack -
The issue
More than 60 Australian sports stars have penned an open letter calling for a federal royal commission into the Bondi terror attack. Canoeist Jess Fox, former swimmer Ian Thorpe, former tennis champion Lleyton Hewitt and former AFL player Sam Newman were among the signatories.
The letter states "the safety of Australians" and "future cohesion" of the country depends on it.
It comes as pressure mounts on Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to support a national approach, rather than the state-based royal commission.
More than 60 Australian sport stars have penned a letter calling for a royal commission into antisemitism and the events leading up to the Bondi terror attack.
Canoeist Jess Fox, former swimmer Ian Thorpe, former tennis champion Lleyton Hewitt and former AFL player Sam Newman were among the signatories.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has so far rejected widespread calls for a royal commission, instead showing support for a state-based approach.
In the letter, the signatories extended their sympathies to the families of the 15 people killed at Bondi by two shooters, "including 10-year-old Matilda, whose smile we will never forget".
It said the December 14 targeted attack on a Jewish celebration followed "more than two years of escalating extremism, intimidation and unchecked radicalisation within Australia".
"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," the open letter read.
"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."
It said a royal commission was the "most credible and unifying pathway" to ensuring accountability and understanding while "restoring social harmony".
"As Australians who have long championed unity and national pride — on the field and beyond it — we implore our leaders to act with urgency and moral clarity," the open letter read.
"The safety of Australians, and the future cohesion of our nation, depends on it."
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-01-04/sport-stars-call-for-federal-royal-commission/106197406
04 January 2026.
2
The issue
More than 60 Australian sports stars have penned an open letter calling for a federal royal commission into the Bondi terror attack. Canoeist Jess Fox, former swimmer Ian Thorpe, former tennis champion Lleyton Hewitt and former AFL player Sam Newman were among the signatories.
The letter states "the safety of Australians" and "future cohesion" of the country depends on it.
It comes as pressure mounts on Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to support a national approach, rather than the state-based royal commission.
More than 60 Australian sport stars have penned a letter calling for a royal commission into antisemitism and the events leading up to the Bondi terror attack.
Canoeist Jess Fox, former swimmer Ian Thorpe, former tennis champion Lleyton Hewitt and former AFL player Sam Newman were among the signatories.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has so far rejected widespread calls for a royal commission, instead showing support for a state-based approach.
In the letter, the signatories extended their sympathies to the families of the 15 people killed at Bondi by two shooters, "including 10-year-old Matilda, whose smile we will never forget".
It said the December 14 targeted attack on a Jewish celebration followed "more than two years of escalating extremism, intimidation and unchecked radicalisation within Australia".
"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," the open letter read.
"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."
It said a royal commission was the "most credible and unifying pathway" to ensuring accountability and understanding while "restoring social harmony".
"As Australians who have long championed unity and national pride — on the field and beyond it — we implore our leaders to act with urgency and moral clarity," the open letter read.
"The safety of Australians, and the future cohesion of our nation, depends on it."
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-01-04/sport-stars-call-for-federal-royal-commission/106197406
04 January 2026.
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Petition created on 3 January 2026