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August 11, 2026
The Coalition has accused the Albanese government of setting a "rushed reporting deadline" for the royal commission into antisemitism that has sidelined some of the country's most prominent Jewish figures.
Executive Council of Australian Jewry co-chief executive Alex Ryvchin on Monday questioned why Australia's highest-ranking Jewish minister, Josh Frydenberg, was excluded from giving evidence, given he was the "pre-eminent voice" calling for the federal inquiry.
After The Australian revealed the former treasurer would not appear before the commission, one of the country's most prominent Jewish-Australian journalists, Sharri Markson, confirmed she was also not called to appear.
Liberal frontbencher James Paterson raised concerns about their omission and the timeline of the inquiry, which is expected to deliver its findings by December 14 exactly one year on from the Bondi Beach terror attack.
"It is disappointing that two of Australia's most prominent Jews have not been called to give evidence at the Royal Commission," Senator Paterson said.
"Both have faced vile and highly public antisemitism, and their insights would have been of value to the inquiry. Unfortunately, the rushed reporting deadline the Prime Minister set for the royal commission means some important voices will never be heard during the process."
Anthony Albanese set Commissioner Virginia Bell a one-year deadline after he initially knocked back calls to hold the inquiry on the basis it would take too long.
As of Monday last week, the royal commission had heard from 206 witnesses at hearings and received 20,000 submissions and 697 phone inquiries.
Mr Ryvchin told 2GB he was concerned Mr Frydenberg would not appear before the inquiry despite his submission.
The recent cross-examination of fellow Jewish leader David Ossip by lawyers for the Palestinian Action Group fuelled further concern the inquiry was veering away from its ultimate purpose.
"I want us to always focus on why we are doing this: 15 people were slaughtered in cold blood at Bondi Beach, there are scores of others that have life-changing injuries, psychological and physical, and this is for them," Mr Ryvchin said. "We need answers and accountability and justice, and we need to know what we need to change as a country to make sure this horror never happens again."
Markson, a News24 journalist who has extensively covered the rise of antisemitism in Australia, gave a verbal submission to the inquiry in mid-June.
She was informed weeks later, via a text message from commission staff, that she would not be "required to appear as a witness" for the media block of the inquiry, and her submission had been "provided to the Commissioner for her consideration".
"I was very surprised not to be called by the royal commission after lodging a submission," Markson told The Australian.
"Given Commissioner Virginia Bell has heard from more than 200 witnesses, including pro-Palestinian activists, there is speculation in the Jewish community that the only explanation for the decision not to hear testimony from Josh Frydenberg or me is that it was politically motivated, owing to our criticism of the lack of leadership from the Albanese government."
Prominent business, national security and ALP figures called on the royal commission to reconsider Mr Frydenberg's "puzzling" exclusion.
Mr Frydenberg and Markson both made clear they wanted to be called as witnesses to offer their insight to the inquiry.
Mr Frydenberg also voiced concerns about Ms Bell's appointment as Commissioner at the time.
The government has maintained the royal commission in an independent, nonpartisan inquiry to investigate the Bondi tragedy, the rise of antisemitism, and issues with social cohesion in the wake of the October 7 attack.