The aftermath of the Bondi terrorist attack, which claimed 15 innocent lives, has descended into a shameless political blame game that a leading commentator has branded a disgraceful puppet show. Former Canberra Times editor Crispin Hull has launched a scathing critique of politicians he accuses of exploiting the tragedy for political gain.
A Moment for Reflection, Not Recrimination
Hull specifically addressed comments made by former Treasurer Josh Frydenberg, who suggested Prime Minister Anthony Albanese should take personal responsibility for the deaths, including that of a 10-year-old girl. While acknowledging Frydenberg's likely distress, Hull urged him to reflect on the human impact of such statements on a sitting Prime Minister.
"In a moment of quiet reflection, Josh... should understand the effect that such a statement would have on Anthony. Prime Ministers are human, too," Hull wrote. He suggested a private phone call to express regret would be a more dignified course of action.
Hypocrisy and Hateful Rhetoric Exposed
The criticism extended to former Prime Minister John Howard, who accused Albanese of a lack of leadership on anti-Semitism and using gun control as a diversion. Hull labelled Howard a hypocrite, recalling his muted response to Pauline Hanson's infamous 1996 'swamped by Asians' speech.
Hull saved his strongest condemnation for the appearance of Barnaby Joyce and Pauline Hanson at Bondi. He described their utterances as laced with racist comments about restricting Muslim immigration and mocked Hanson's suggestion of wearing an Israeli flag in the Senate. "Have they no empathy or understanding? Innocent people are dead and injured. Families are grieving. Australian families," he wrote.
The Missed Opportunity for National Unity
The columnist lamented the lost chance for a single, dignified national memorial on Bondi Beach, where all leaders could have affirmed Australian values of diversity and unity. Instead, he said, the public witnessed a "Punch and Judy show" of political point-scoring.
"Surely, Australians, in memory of the innocent dead, can rise to the occasion and not let the occasion sink us to these depths. The surfers and swimmers did, but not the above politicians," Hull stated, questioning their desperation for power.
The Central Issue: It's About Guns
Contrary to claims about immigration or education failures, Hull argued no such measures would have prevented the attack on December 18, 2025. He asserted the core failure was gun control.
Key preventative measures he proposed include:
- Banning non-citizens from owning firearms.
- Prohibiting firearms within city limits except for authorised personnel.
- Limiting the number of firearms one person can legally own.
- Improving the use of intelligence, which had already identified the perpetrators.
"Without guns, Bondi would have been a controllable even if horrible event," Hull concluded. "Of course it is about guns." He called for the political circus to end and for the nation to focus on the substantive reforms needed to prevent future tragedies.
