Olympic legend Dawn Fraser blasts Anthony Albanese as “spineless” as athletes call for Bondi probe

Olympic swimming legend Dawn Fraser has blasted Anthony Albanese as “spineless” and urged him to “get off your high horse”, as dozens of Australia’s leading athletes demand the Prime Minister establish a federal probe into anti-Semitism.

The eight-time Olympic medallist visited the Bondi Pavilion on Sunday with her daughter “for the sole reason to stand in unity” with the sporting community who penned a letter to Mr Albanese calling for a royal commission into the Bondi terror attack.

Fraser said she was “very sorry” for her country “and its leaders not protecting each and every one of you”.

“In the 88 years of my life, living, loving, and representing this truly great country, I have never seen so much hate and division, and this breaks my heart,” she said.

Fraser dismissed the issue as a “gun problem”, and said she had been accused “many times” of being a racist.

“I stand with anyone that loves my country, that respects my country, that wants to see my country prosper,” she said.

“I will also call out people that have done the wrong thing and who have not stood up for this great country.

“And to you, Anthony Albanese, Tony Burke, Penny Wong, come down off your high horse and stop trying to run for cover.

“If the Jewish community is calling for a royal commission, then do the right thing by this community that has suffered enough.

“This is not about the spineless and the weak: It’s about doing the right thing.”

The athletes’ letter was signed by sporting greats including former swimmers Grant Hackett, Dawn Fraser and Ian Thorpe, Olympic canoeist Jessica Fox, former tennis player Lleyton Hewitt, and speed skater Steven Bradbury.

It urged the Prime Minister to launch a national inquiry to investigate anti-Semitism, radicalisation and the events that led to the December 14 terror attack.

“This attack did not occur in isolation. It followed more than two years of escalating extremism, intimidation and unchecked radicalisation within Australia,” the letter read.

“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.”

The group called on Mr Albanese to show “decisive national leadership” and put an end to the “unprecedented harassment, intimidation and violence” directed towards Australian Jews since October 7, 2023.

“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,” the letter read.

It claimed a Commonwealth royal commission was the “most credible and unifying pathway” to understand what went wrong, ensure accountability, and restore social harmony.

The plea follows similar demands from a wide cross-section of leaders from business, politics, intelligence, national security, and legal sectors, alongside calls from Jewish Australians, who have all urged Mr Albanese to change course.

Mr 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.

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 attack which killed 15.

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.

Despite ruling out a Commonwealth probe, Mr Albanese has acknowledged the calls to establish one – primarily from the Jewish community – come from a “good place”.

“This atrocity is something which understandably people want answers on how it occurred,” he said last week.

He has also reiterated the Commonwealth’s commitment to complying with the state royal commission and emphasised the importance of the Richardson review.

“We will have a NSW royal commission that will look at the actions clearly of NSW authorities, including the police response, gun licensing issues that are the prerogative of the NSW government,” he said.

“But also we’ve said very clearly that the Commonwealth government will co-operate with those processes and will provide whatever information is requested is necessary during those processes.”