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.
Other athletes who signed the open letter include Sydney Swans AFL player Isaac Heeney, Olympic swimmer Dawn Fraser and retired Hockeyroo player Nova Peris.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has so far rejected widespread calls for a federal 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”.
Jess Fox also signed the open letter. (Supplied: AAP/Bianca De Marchi)
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.”
Other signatories include Australia’s former world number one tennis player, Lleyton Hewitt. (Getty Images: Mark Metcalfe)
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.”
Not wanting to turn a ‘blind eye’
Former AFL player and signatory Gerard Healy said he was added by an Olympian to a “hook-up” that featured a number of other sports leaders to discuss the open letter.
“I was one of four on a steering committee and put my name to it and couldn’t disagree with anything,” he said.
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“The group that has signed it are all as one that think only a [Commonwealth] royal commission will do justice to the gravity of the crime perpetuated on the Jewish community.”
Mr Healy, who has also been a radio host for the past 35 years, said he used his contact list to get some high-profile names to sign the letter.
“Some agreed, some didn’t. Some wanted more time to think about it,” he said.
He spent 24 to 36 hours asking people if they wanted to be involved and said he was still fielding calls from athletes.
“I think if we all just stay in our lane when there’s such a huge crisis … then you just wonder whether or not you are in some ways just turning a blind eye,”
he said.
“I think if you can help in any way, shape or form the Jewish community that have been dealt a shocking hand in this country over the last two years, then I think you should take that opportunity.”
‘Love for Australia’
Olympic gold medallist and retired Hockeyroo, Danni Roche, says the sports leaders signed the letter out of love for Australia, its values and freedom.
“[We] feel in this country you should be able to live without hate, or fear or prejudice,” she said.
“I think where it comes from is all of the athletes I’ve spoken to, it definitely comes from a place of loving our country, caring about our country, a lot of shock and wanting to understand what happened, why did it happen, how do we stop it?
“Because the only way to get to the bottom of this is to have a Commonwealth Royal Commission.”