Former federal treasurer Josh Frydenberg has launched a scathing attack on Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and his government, accusing them of failing to act against radical Islamist threats in the wake of the alleged Bondi Beach terror attack.
Government 'Asleep' to Threat, Says Frydenberg
In a fiery appearance on Sunrise on Thursday morning, Frydenberg declared that while Australians are now fully aware of the dangers posed by extremist ideologies, the current administration is not. He bluntly stated the Albanese Government is "asleep" to the threat of "radical Islamist ideology." His comments come after the deadly incident at Bondi Junction, which authorities are treating as a terrorist act.
"I don't want more words, I want more action," Frydenberg asserted. He called for direct accountability for what he termed "the deadliest terrorist attack in Australia’s history with the Bondi massacre."
Calls for Action and a Royal Commission
Frydenberg criticised the government for what he sees as a two-and-a-half-year failure to address clear warnings. He accused them of not taking necessary steps to prosecute those inciting violence, halt hate preachers, or ban organisations promoting radical views.
He has formally called for a Royal Commission with a dual focus: examining the government's handling of antisemitism since the Hamas attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023, and investigating how the alleged Bondi attackers evaded detection by intelligence agencies.
"There’s clearly been a massive intelligence and law enforcement failure here," Frydenberg said. "But there’s also been a significant political failure."
Pointing to 'Factories of Hate'
The former treasurer claimed that Prime Minister Albanese was aware within hours of the October 7 attacks that preachers in Western Sydney were celebrating the violence. Frydenberg described these entities as "factories of hate" and demanded they be shut down immediately.
"Those preachers can’t open their doors for one day more," he warned. He urged the Prime Minister to take "dramatic, urgent and unprecedented action" to address a danger he believes is growing. Frydenberg concluded by stating that "Australia has been radicalised on his watch."
