Former federal treasurer Josh Frydenberg has denied he is playing politics with his staunch criticism of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s handling of antisemitism in the aftermath of the Bondi mass shooting, telling Nine’s Today that his criticism was “very not about politics”.
Frydenberg, who is Jewish and the former Kooyong MP, gave a fiery speech at Bondi Beach yesterday, saying Albanese was personally responsible for the deaths of 15 victims.
Josh Frydenberg at the Bondi memorial on Wednesday.
Asked later on the ABC’s 7.30 whether his comments were political in nature, given he could return to office, Frydenberg said he was “deeply offended”.
In further comments this morning, Frydenberg said his remarks were “about leadership or the lack of leadership that we have seen in Australia”.
Frydenberg, who has called for a royal commission into antisemitism, said he wanted “accountability and action” from the federal government.
“Now, when I take my kids to school, there are armed guards because it’s a Jewish school. If you take them to Jewish sport, there are armed guards outside the sporting field. Why should we live like this?
The Menorah is lit for the fourth night of Hanukkah in front of mourners at Bondi Beach yesterday.Credit: Janie Barrett
“My message is Australia can be better. Australia must be better. And if I don’t speak up, who? And if I don’t speak up now, when would I?”
Frydenberg said he hadn’t made any decisions about returning to politics in the next federal election – and wouldn’t anytime soon.
“I’m enjoying my time in the private sector and with my family … what I will do now is use my voice to hopefully create a safer Australia for us all.
“I think now Australia is awake after the biggest terrorist attack in our history.”
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