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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. [...]
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.
