‘National crisis’: Aussie icons’ unprecedented move for anti-Semitism and Bondi massacre royal commission

Ian Thorpe has led an army of Australia’s biggest sporting stars have come together to send a powerful message to the nation.

Sixty of Australia’s biggest and most loved sporting stars have come together to send a powerful message to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.

In an unprecedented move for Australian sport, Aussie swimming icons Grant Hackett and Ian Thorpe are leading a public campaign in calling for a Royal Commission into anti-Semitism and the events leading up to the Bondi massacre.

It comes one day after a group of more than 100 prominent Australians, including billionaire James Packer, urged Albanese to establish a Commonwealth probe, calling on the government to “send a signal to the world” that Australia is committed to tackling anti-Semitism.

Hackett and some of Australia’s most loved athletes have now made another push for major action to be taken.

The sporting leaders movement has unfolded in extraordinary circumstances with three-time Olympic champ Hackett, five-time Olympic champ Thorpe, AFL legend Gerard Healy, Oarsome Foursome leader Mike McKay, Hockeyroos great Danni Roche and athletics icon Nova Peris sourcing more than sixty signatures in the space of 24 hours.

Those who have signed include former world No. 1 tennis star Lleyton Hewitt, Swans superstar Isaac Heeney, AFL greats Dean Cox and Phil Davis, and NRL legend Brad Fittler.

Thorpe said hate had no place in Australia.

“The hate experienced by the Jewish community and our whole community in Bondi and beyond was abhorrent, unjustified and not the Australia I know and love,” he said.

“Unfortunately Jewish people are not the 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.

“Governments 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!”

Hackett added: “When our values are tested, Australians expect strength and leadership — and the tragedy at Bondi was a defining moment for who we are as a nation.

“A 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 — Australia must act.”

The joint statement with more than sixty signatures called for urgent action to be taken.

“On 14 December, 2025, the deadliest terrorist attack in Australia’s history took place at the iconic Bondi Beach,” the united sporting leaders said in a statement.

“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 — including 10-year-old Matilda, whose smile we will never forget.

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

“This attack did not occur in isolation. 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.

“As sports leaders, past and present, we have witnessed first-hand the power of sport to unite Australians of every background, belief and community.

Across generations, we have stood for fairness, respect, equality and the principle that every Australian — no matter who they are — deserves safety, dignity and the freedom to live without fear.

“Today, we cannot remain silent. 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.

“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.

“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.

“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.

“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.

“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 safety of Australians, and the future cohesion of our nation, depends on it.”

Albanese has continually ruled out establishing a federal royal commission, saying the most appropriate national response – given the need for urgent action – is his government’s proposed departmental review.

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Instead of a Commonwealth probe, Mr Albanese has commissioned a review led by former ASIO chief Dennis Richardson, which will examine the powers of intelligence and law enforcement agencies in the lead up to the December 14 attack.

Mr Albanese has also cited concerns for national security and social cohesion as reasons behind his decision. He claimed his government had been advised by “experts” against a royal commission.

Opposition Leader Sussan Ley earlier this week publicly criticised Albanese, accusing him of “making excuses” and “not listening” to victims’ families.

The pressure is building.