Overview
- The open letter was signed by more than 60 prominent athletes and coaches, coordinated by Olympians including Ian Thorpe, Grant Hackett, Nova Peris, Mike McKay and Danni Roche.
- The signatories, including Dawn Fraser, Jessica Fox, Pat Rafter, Lleyton Hewitt, Mick Fanning and AFL figures such as Ross Lyon and Chris Fagan, call for a Commonwealth royal commission into antisemitism, radicalisation and the events leading to the Dec. 14 Bondi massacre that killed 15 people.
- The sports figures say the attack reflects years of escalating extremism and argue a national inquiry is needed to restore public safety and social cohesion.
- The push adds to earlier calls from 17 victims’ families, the Business Council of Australia, more than 200 judges and barristers, and the federal Coalition.
- Albanese has ruled out a federal royal commission, citing action already underway including adopting Jillian Segal’s recommendations, backing an NSW inquiry, commissioning a Dennis Richardson review of federal agencies, and proposing tougher hate-speech and gun laws.