More than 60 prominent Australian athletes and sports figures have signed an open letter urging Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to establish a federal royal commission into the December 14 Hanukkah party shooting at Bondi Beach in Sydney, which left 15 people dead. The appeal adds to mounting public pressure for a comprehensive national investigation into the attack.
Describing the massacre as a “national crisis requiring a national response,” the letter, published Sunday, calls for decisive leadership in confronting extremism. Among the signatories are Olympic swimming legends Dawn Fraser and Ian Thorpe; world champion kayaker Jessica Fox, and former tennis star Lleyton Hewitt.
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Olympic swimming legend Ian Thorpe is among the over 60 Australian sports figures who signed the open letter
(Photo: Saeed Khan / AFP)
"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," the letter reads.
The athletes’ letter follows a series of similar appeals to the prime minister, who has so far resisted calls to establish a federal inquiry. These include requests from victims’ families and a letter signed last week by over 120 business and civic leaders. Senior members of the Catholic Church have also joined the calls for a national investigation.
In response, the New South Wales government has launched its own state-level inquiry. Albanese has defended his stance, arguing that a federal royal commission would be too broad and time-consuming. Instead, he has ordered a security review led by former Australian Security Intelligence Organization (ASIO) chief Dennis Richardson. NSW Premier Chris Minns has made clear that the state will proceed independently.
“My heart breaks for the families of the terror attack victims,” Albanese said in response to criticism. “As prime minister, my duty is to act in the national interest—and the security review is the right path forward.”
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Open letter calls on Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to establish a federal royal commission into the December 14 Hanukkah party shooting
(Photo: Hilary Wardhaugh/Getty Images)
The athletes’ letter emphasizes that the issue “transcends politics” and calls for an end to the “unprecedented harassment, threats and violence directed at Australia’s 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," according to the letter.
It also stresses that a national commission is the most credible and unifying way to identify failures, ensure accountability, restore social cohesion, and provide a practical roadmap for Australia’s future.
The letter also includes support from figures with political backgrounds, such as former Senator and Olympian Nova Peris, along with stars from cricket, athletics and rugby. Signatories stress that with the Brisbane 2032 Olympics on the horizon “the eyes of the world will soon be on Australia—and public safety and the values we project as a nation have never mattered more.”