Listen to the article
A former Australian government minister has attributed the nation’s deadliest terrorist attack at Bondi Beach to radical Islamic extremism, criticizing the current government’s focus on gun control rather than addressing the underlying ideology behind the violence.
Josh Frydenberg, former Australian Treasurer and Member of Parliament, told Fox News Digital that while “guns may have stolen the lives of the 15 innocent souls killed at Bondi Beach, it was actually radical Islam which pulled the trigger.” His comments come as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese moves to strengthen Australia’s already strict gun laws through a national buyback scheme and additional firearms restrictions.
Frydenberg argued that these measures fail to address what he describes as years of ignored extremism, rising antisemitism, and security failures that have left Jewish Australians increasingly vulnerable. He criticized Australia’s immigration policies, stating, “We’ve taken thousands of people from the terrorist hotspot in the Middle East, namely Gaza. We have also taken people from many other countries without sufficient security checks.”
The former treasurer pointed to what he sees as a permissive environment for extremist groups in Australia. “Hezbat al-Tahrir, which is banned in the United Kingdom, banned in Germany, banned in moderate Islamic states, is not banned in Australia, and it should be,” he said. His concerns extend to what he characterized as the government’s failure to confront organizations spreading hate and inciting violence.
When asked about the safety of Jewish Australians, Frydenberg’s assessment was stark: “Australia is unsafe for Jewish people right now.” He cited an unprecedented escalation in harassment, intimidation, and violence since October 7, 2023, including doxxing of Jewish artists, boycotting of Jewish businesses, firebombing of synagogues and childcare centers, and widespread intimidation on university campuses.
Frydenberg’s warnings gained wider attention following a tense exchange with ABC network anchor Sarah Ferguson, who questioned whether his criticism should be viewed through a political lens. “I’m deeply offended by what you just said,” Frydenberg responded during the interview. “That is an insult to say that there’s any political motivation in this.”
The former treasurer emphasized the extraordinary security measures now required for Jewish institutions. “My children go to a school where there are armed guards outside. When I visit a Jewish Aged Care Center, there are armed guards outside. When I send my kids to Jewish sporting clubs, there are police cars out there and police tape,” he said, rejecting the suggestion that his concerns were partisan rather than focused on national security.
Australia has experienced a troubling rise in antisemitic incidents over the past year, including an arson attack on the Adass Israel Synagogue in Melbourne in December 2024, which Prime Minister Albanese condemned as an antisemitic act.
Security experts have noted that Australian intelligence agencies had warned of Iranian-linked terror activities months before the Bondi Beach attack, raising questions about whether sufficient preventative measures were implemented.
Frydenberg concluded that the Albanese government’s response will ultimately be judged not by public statements but by concrete actions. “They won’t be judged by their words,” he told Fox News Digital. “They’ll only be judged by their actions, and they’ll need to do a lot more than they’ve announced today in order to turn the situation around.”
The attack has prompted a national debate about Australia’s approach to extremism, immigration screening, and the protection of religious minorities, with Frydenberg’s comments highlighting deep divisions over how best to prevent future attacks while safeguarding community cohesion.
Fact Checker
Verify the accuracy of this article using The Disinformation Commission analysis and real-time sources.
9 Comments
There are no easy solutions, but open and thoughtful dialogue is essential. We should listen to diverse perspectives, examine the data objectively, and pursue policies that promote public safety while respecting civil liberties and human rights.
Blaming all immigrants or refugees for the actions of a few extremists is misguided and dangerous. We must be vigilant, but also uphold humanitarian values and principles of justice. Overreacting with xenophobia or scapegoating helps no one.
This is a complex issue that requires nuanced, thoughtful discussion, not inflammatory rhetoric. While addressing security concerns is important, we must also uphold our democratic values and principles of justice and inclusion.
I appreciate the former minister’s concern for public safety, but his comments seem to promote divisiveness rather than unity. Addressing complex issues like this requires empathy, nuance, and a commitment to evidence-based policymaking.
While the former minister’s concerns are understandable, his comments seem to promote an ‘us vs. them’ mentality that is unlikely to lead to effective solutions. A more inclusive, evidence-based approach is needed to address this challenge.
Terrorism is a complex, global issue that cannot be reduced to simplistic explanations. We must be vigilant, but also uphold our values of tolerance, compassion, and respect for human rights. Knee-jerk reactions often do more harm than good.
Terrorism and violence are abhorrent, regardless of the ideology. However, simplistic explanations and knee-jerk reactions often miss the nuanced social, political, and economic factors that can contribute to radicalization. A more holistic approach is needed.
While the former minister may have valid concerns, his comments seem to reflect a narrow, partisan perspective. A more balanced, nuanced analysis that considers multiple viewpoints would be more constructive.
This is a complex issue with valid concerns on both sides. While gun control is important, addressing underlying ideological extremism is critical. We need a balanced, evidence-based approach that addresses all the factors contributing to these attacks.