Politics Now A 'not perfect' PM acts on Bondi
Dec 18, 2025
Karen Middleton, a political journalist and contributor to The Monthly, joins the discussion on Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's recent acknowledgments regarding antisemitism. They delve into the immediate and long-term implications of the Bondi terrorist attack, examining how it has shifted public sentiment in Australia. Middleton critiques the PM's response, arguing it fell short of what was needed. The conversation also explores calls for new hate speech laws, the necessity of a Royal Commission, and the balance between gun control focus and tackling antisemitism.
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Anti‑Semitism At The Heart Of Bondi
- The Bondi attack exposed anti‑Semitism as the central issue, not just gun control.
- Addressing hate speech and community fear must accompany any firearms reforms.
Tragedy Intensified Pre‑Existing Political Faultlines
- The attack quickly politicised long‑standing debates over protests, hate speech and security.
- Political responses sharpened divisions instead of immediate unified grief.
On‑the‑Ground Bondi Observations
- Fran Kelly described visiting Bondi and Hanukkah services and seeing large cross‑community support.
- She noted long queues at blood banks and multicultural solidarity in the wake of the attack.