More than 60 Australian sports stars have asked Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to create a federal royal commission on antisemitism, radicalisation, and the Bondi terror attack that killed 15 people. The call came in an open letter on Sunday signed by athletes like Dawn Fraser, Ian Thorpe, Jess Fox, and Lleyton Hewitt. They called the attack “a national crisis, and it demands a national response.” The letter said, “As sporting leaders, we understand that leadership matters, especially when values are tested.” They urged the government to show strong leadership and confront extremism and terrorism without hesitation. This request follows other calls for a federal royal commission, including one from over 120 business leaders and public figures. Senior Catholic bishops have also supported this demand. However, Prime Minister Albanese has so far resisted, saying a federal royal commission would be too slow and broad. Instead, he has chosen a review by Dennis Richardson, former head of the Australian Security and Intelligence Service, to check intelligence and law enforcement agencies. Albanese said, “My heart breaks for the families of the victims of the Bondi terrorist atrocity.” He added, “My job as the Australian prime minister is to act in the national interest.” The sports stars’ letter stated that the issue is bigger than politics. They stressed the need to stop the harassment and violence against the Australian Jewish community since October 7, 2023. They wrote, “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.” Signatories also include former senator Nova Peris, former MP John Alexander, Olympic sprinter Raelene Boyle, cricketer Michael Clarke, and former Wallabies captain John Eales. They pointed out that with the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games coming, the world will watch Australia closely. They said, “The safety of our citizens, the integrity of our public spaces, and the values we project as a nation have never mattered more.”