Being ‘something for everyone’ might not be such a bad thing

Your editorial criticises the prime minister for being on a “quest to be something for everyone” and seeking to “satisfy all sides” (“PM’s inaction on antisemitism comes back to haunt him”, December 18). I suggest that these efforts could equally be regarded in a positive light. I want our PM to try and govern for everyone, to understand the different needs of different communities and try to hold those in balance, even under such horrific circumstances as the Bondi attack. I want my PM to be measured and careful, especially when faced with calls such as those embedded in Jillian Segal’s antisemitism report, and heard with increasing stridency this week, to introduce measures that will subvert values that theoretically define our nation, such as freedom of speech. The editorial notes that John Howard stood up to the National Party after the 1996 Port Arthur massacre to introduce gun laws across Australia; as others have observed in letters this week, the legislation passed because it was supported by Kim Beazley and Tim Fischer (Letters, December 18). To my mind, the abandonment of political bipartisanship in this moment is the true failure, much more damaging than any action or inaction I’ve seen from Anthony Albanese. Sarah Zwartz, Bondi

Credit: Cathy Wilcox

I was disappointed by Thursday’s editorial criticising the prime minister. Jumping on the bandwagon driven by Sussan Ley, John Howard, Pauline Hanson and all is unbecoming. Throughout all the articles implying that Anthony Albanese is personally responsible for the horrendous Bondi shootings, no one has said precisely what the government should have done to prevent antisemitism. Vague suggestions that the PM could have done better do not cut the mustard. Prejudice is a universal human trait, and expecting governments and politicians to implement policies and laws that change the way people think is unrealistic. Only practical solutions like banning guns will be effective. In reality, extremists will always exist. The only effective way to control their behaviour is to remove their means of creating harm. Ian Roberts, Warriewood

There has been much criticism in the media of the government’s response to the Bondi tragedy, much of it unjustified. I would point out the Hanukkah gathering at Bondi was not a protest rally, so why would extra police be necessary? Do we need armed police on our beaches every day? There have also been many calls for the PM’s resignation but little mention of the fact no one held NZ prime minister Jacinda Ardern responsible for the 51 murders in Christchurch in 2019. Many Jewish people are grieving but they’re not blaming the government for what happened. Also, why does the media give so much time to minor political players or ex-politicians who have been rejected by the electorate? Giving the pathetic Liberal opposition an opportunity to make political capital from this tragedy is disgraceful. The media is also forcing the government to make hasty decisions, which never produce good policy. In the past I have criticised the government, but this is not the time. We need to get behind them and let them do their job. Carole Hayes, Newtown

The politicisation of this appalling massacre is not surprising, although extremely disappointing. Rising antisemitism is a worldwide phenomenon, often attributed to events in Gaza. But the massacre in Bondi was carried out by two lone wolves, already radicalised well before the war in Gaza started. Indeed, it is hard to see how any of the reforms being suggested would have had any impact on the motives or actions of these two extremists. Blaming the government simply furthers the aim of the perpetrators to create chaos and disunity in our society. We need all political, religious and community groups to join together in dealing with terror and hate speech, wherever it appears. We need a united national response; we need to identify the right enemy. Andrew Caro, Greenwich

It is frustrating and sad to see and hear politicians break our moment of unity with political accusations aimed at their opposition. It is particularly frustrating to hear these accusations becoming personal attacks. None of our political parties come out well from the issue of antisemitism and they are all missing an opportunity to speak out as one against racism and sectarianism. It’s not too late to do so, though. Just follow the example of Ahmed al Ahmed and others who thought in terms of humanity. Hugo Zweep, Thirroul

Words of warning

It was famously said that freedom of speech did not allow one to shout “fire” in a crowded theatre. Equally, it should not allow the public encouragement of hatred in terms that might lead to violence. A century ago, authorities in Vienna regarded one Professor Lueger as a harmless crank when he gave lectures in the street railing against Jews and their “worldwide conspiracy” and their pollution of society. One of his idle listeners was a struggling artist who absorbed the message – and some years later had the opportunity of acting out Lueger’s vile prejudices. Lance Rainey, Rushforth

Neo-Nazis gathered outside NSW Parliament on November 8.

Public displays of antisemitism can and must be severely punished. Allowing neo-Nazis to protest outside parliament or march through our streets is not free speech – it is an endorsement of hatred. These spectacles embolden extremists and deepen the wounds of those already targeted. We need harsher penalties to address this hatred. Stronger laws must ensure that Nazi salutes, antisemitic rallies and intimidation of Jewish Australians are met with swift and severe consequences. To do less is to risk normalising the very ideology that led to Bondi’s tragedy. Australia must stand firm: freedom of speech does not extend to freedom to terrorise. Our laws must reflect that truth. Nick Andrews, Bellevue Hill

Speak out

The words of German Lutheran pastor Martin Niemoller have never been more appropriate: “First they came for the communists and I did not speak out because I was not a communist. Then they came for the socialists and I did not speak out because I was not a socialist. Then they came for the trade unionists and I did not speak out because I was not a trade unionist. Then they came for the Jews and I did not speak out because I was not a Jew. Then they came for me and there was no one left to speak out for me.” Those who set out to kill Jews today will come for anyone who does not share their pathological ideology tomorrow. Our leadership must take urgent action before the laid-back Australian way of life disappears forever. Irene Nemes, Rose Bay

Frydenberg speaks for Australia

Former federal treasurer Josh Frydenberg has highlighted what the government has chosen to ignore in terms of race hate speech and demonstrations (“‘You have failed us’: Josh Frydenberg’s full speech at Bondi memorial”, December 18). The perpetrators of the Bondi atrocity would have realised that the government had taken a softly-softly approach to rising antisemitism. Would this have anything to do with the Middle Eastern vote? In retrospect, was this the reason Penny Wong didn’t observe the site of the October 7 atrocities in Israel, for fear of upsetting Labor’s Muslim voters by showing sympathy for the Jewish population over there? Albanese needs to step up, because Frydenberg has captured the mood of the country. Stewart Copper, Maroubra

Josh Frydenberg berates the PM and demands he resign, yet John Howard didn’t have to resign after the 2002 Bali bombings and Tony Abbott didn’t have to resign after the 2014 Lindt Cafe siege. Frydenberg then rattles off a laundry list of demands, including stricter immigration, banning hate preachers and banning Islamist group Hizb-ut-Tahrir, all of which the Coalition refused to do during their nine years in power when Frydenberg was also a minister. He also wants to ban anti-Israel protests. The right to protest is a core pillar of a liberal democracy, and if the Liberal Party now opposes this, then the party should be renamed. Colin Douglas, St Kilda (Vic)

Josh Frydenberg said Anthony Albanese was weak for not having a royal commission into one of Australia’s worst tragedies. But is he prepared to admit that the Coalition is also “weak and full of excuses”? Neither John Howard nor Tony Abbott instigated a royal commission after the Port Arthur massacre and Martin Place siege, which happened on their watches. Peter Rayner, Charlestown

Former treasurer Josh Frydenberg gives an impassioned speech at Bondi on Wednesday.

I do not doubt the depth and the sincerity of Josh Frydenberg’s feelings, but I would question his objectivity when he pillories the Albanese government for trying to maintain an even hand in its response to events after October 2023 – something the opposition has never tried to do. I suspect that banning protests would merely exacerbate the hatred rather than ease it, much less eliminate it. Arthur Cooper, Alstonville

True leadership and statesmanship from Howard, Frydenberg, Ley, Hanson, Joyce and others would have been to seek a private meeting with the prime minister to express their views about the Bondi massacre and to then publicly support the government. These are extremely difficult problems to solve and all sides of politics need to unite behind whoever is in power. Michael Jones, Birchgrove

It is beyond shameful that opposition politicians have used this tragedy for partisan politics. At a time of grieving, we need support and kindness, not division and hate. I had been attending the impromptu memorial at the Bondi Pavilion every day since Sunday to share the sorrow and show solidarity with my Jewish friends. The presence of politicians means it is no longer a place of solace, and I am unable to grieve with my community. Shame on those people who have prioritised their own agendas over our healing. Mary O’Sullivan, North Bondi

Shameful opportunists

As always, Shaun Carney’s evaluation of issues is measured and accurate (“Howard has gone too far. His comments about Albanese tear us apart”, December 18). His assessment of what appears to be Liberal opportunism piggybacking on Australia’s collective grief is a salutary reminder. John Howard’s inflammatory intervention and the extraordinary claim by Josh Frydenberg that the PM bears “personal responsibility” for the Bondi massacre are exactly the responses that feed division, hatred and “othering” in Australia. These statements reward Islamic terrorism. They place our rich multicultural social cohesion at risk. Carney summed up Australia’s grief, saying “it is impossible to overstate the searing pain felt by so many people”. Liberals and the always opportunistic hate-monger Pauline Hanson are manipulating this tragedy. They are reinforcing stereotypical, unfounded hatred against Muslims and immigrants. Who was the hero and one of the wounded at Bondi? A Muslim immigrant. Gerardine Grace, Leura

The most important factor in determining one’s fate when standing on the edge of a precipice in a raging gale is balance. Once this is lost, the precipice beckons and doom becomes reality. Shaun Carney provides that balance in his article. The only way forward for our community is together in a bipartisan, rational way – otherwise the fundamentalists and terrorists win. Two psychopaths cannot be allowed to define who we are. Trevor Wootten, Petersham

At this time of madness and much shouting, when peace on Earth and goodwill to all men seem remote, I would like to pay tribute to the wisdom of three Herald journalists – Waleed Aly, David Leser and Shaun Carney. Thank you. Carolyn Little, Mortdale

Ed of class

It’s disgraceful that Ed Halmagyi has closed his Avner’s bakery as a direct result of antisemitism and threats of violence (“Bondi horror forces bakery to close down”, December 19). We will miss Ed’s gregariousness and generous Jewish hospitality, not to mention his cinnamon babka, bagels and challah. You are a mensch, Ed, stand strong and true. Liza Rybak, Bellevue Hill

Ed Halmagyi will close his bakery, Avner’s, in Surry Hills, after enduring threats and antisemitism. Credit: Dion Georgopoulos

Act on guns now

Correspondent Howard Charles suggests a “snap referendum” on a ban on gun ownership (Letters, December 18). Given that a referendum is needed only to make a change to the constitution, surely guns could be banned by legislation alone, and much more speedily, without the need for a costly and possibly divisive referendum. There would, of course, be a need for exceptions to a total ban, but hopefully the prime minister will act promptly on this issue and even more hopefully, with the full support of the Coalition. Jo Bond, South Melbourne (Vic)

While I condone laws restricting gun ownership, remember that those people who gave up their weapons in previous amnesties were the ones who were willing to obey the law, and the least likely to offend. Many others kept their weapons, many still have them, and the authorities are probably unaware. Regardless of any change to gun rules, the threat to society will always exist. Bob Cameron, Coffs Harbour

I don’t remember anyone blaming former John Howard for not preventing the Port Arthur massacre, although it occurred on his watch. Instead, he is remembered for his response. Perhaps we should accord Anthony Albanese the same courtesy. Larry Case, Turramurra

Winning tribute

How moving it was to watch the tribute to the Bondi victims at the Adelaide Oval before the start of the third Ashes Test (“Moving tribute to the victims of the Bondi attack”, December 18). My gratitude to Cricket Australia, Pat Cummins, Ben Stokes and their teams, and to singer John Williamson. And also to the wonderful spectators who gave such a long standing ovation afterwards. It made me proud to be an Australian. Steve Alperstein, Double Bay

Australian and English cricketers listen to a performance by John Williamson as a tribute to the Bondi shooting victims.Credit: Getty Images

Frank take

When I was in high school in the 1970s The Diary of Anne Frank was compulsory reading. And everyone in my class actually read it because it was so riveting. Perhaps the Board of Studies needs to revisit this book: a testament to courage in the face of hate. Genevieve Milton, Dulwich Hill

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