Bondi attack unleashes reader fury and deep division over government’s response
Aussies have declared the Albanese government has “blood on its hands” over the Bondi attack, amid fears Australia is no longer the country they once knew. HAVE YOUR SAY
The Bondi attack has triggered an outpouring of emotion from Daily Telegraph readers, with hundreds of comments posted across six related stories expressing grief, anger and deep division over responsibility, leadership and the nation’s direction.
Many readers directed their fury at the Albanese government, accusing the Prime Minister of failing to take rising antisemitism seriously and of responding poorly in the aftermath of the attack.
Several were incensed by Mr Albanese’s demeanour at his press conference, describing it as “smirking” and “pre-scripted”, while others said they were “ashamed and disgusted” by what they saw as weak leadership.
“Most people could see this coming,” one reader wrote.
“Smirking Albanese at his presser. Shameful from this most unsincere type,” another said.
See what you had to say below and join the conversation >>>
Others went further, declaring the government had “blood on its hands” and had failed to keep Australia’s Jewish community safe.
“This government has blood on its hands. Hold them accountable.”
The Prime Minister’s stance on the Israel–Gaza conflict also featured prominently, particularly after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused Australia of pouring fuel on an “anti-Semitic fire”.
Some readers said Israeli leaders were “rightly calling out our horrible government”, while others warned that the tragedy was being cynically politicised.
“This is not the Australia I grew up in,” one reader wrote.
“Albo was not the one who held the guns, this is such a tragic event and it is pathetic it is being so politicised,” another said.
“When are Australians going to put Australia first, just like other countries,” another added.
“People are grasping at straws, trying to blame Albo. Religious fanatics do not listen to secular leaders.”
Across the comments, there was widespread fear that Australia itself is changing.
Readers lamented a loss of safety and social cohesion, with some saying they no longer recognise the country they grew up in.
“Australia is not the country we use to know, shootings every day, gangs running the place, Can’t even go for a quite shop without fear you may not come home,” one wrote.
Immigration and national security emerged as flashpoints with some readers called for an immediate suspension of immigration and tighter audits of firearms ownership.
while others urged a more measured approach, arguing the issue was about responsibility rather than shutting the door altogether.
Amid the anger, there was near-universal praise for the man who disarmed the attacker. Multiple readers called for him to be named Australian of the Year, applauding his bravery and holding him up as a symbol of courage and unity at a dark moment.
“That amazing gentleman who disarmed that shooter should be Australian of the century,” one wrote.
“Thank you Ahmed for your bravery,” another added.
Taken together, the comments reveal a readership grappling with shock and sorrow, deeply divided over politics, but united in one sentiment: the attack should never have happened and many fear it marks a turning point for the nation.
See what you had to say below and join the conversation >>>
WHAT YOU SAID
Big questions must be asked
bob
Foreign Minister Penny Wong has been very quiet......why is that???
samantha
If Albanese thinks that tighter gun control will completely solve this issue then his advisers are sillier than we think they are.
Kmac
He wants law-abiding Australian gun owners to pick up the tab for his own policy failures.
Kurt
It’s easier to change legislation (something the Labor party do in their sleep) than admit to the real problem and risk getting their voters off-side.
Albo must go
Anthony
It’s never Albanese’s fault, it’s always someone else’s fault and he never accepts responsibility for anything. Albanese is not fit to be our PM.
Paul
When Albo come to power 3.5 years ago, his aim was to change Australia forever …
Sunday night he succeeded.
Mayor McCheese
Albanese is a very, very weak leader. His lack of strong action on this issue led to this. He has no conviction or guts. As others have said he is reactive and blows like the wind. Along with Rudd & Turnbull he’s one of the worst PMs we’ve had.
Big Bad Wolf
Australia needs a Mrs. Thatcher or a Lee Kuan Yew, not this spineless jellyfish.
Waldog
The horse has bolted under Albaneses Prime Ministership. RIP Australia.
Labor must stand up
They_just_keep_rejecting_me
Labor don’t know how to admit failure. If they did, there’d be an apology every week.
Anthony
A Labor government that’s neither proactive nor reactive.
Chill B
Its actually scary how quickly our country has become so fractured under his weak “leadership”
24 Hours Pending
Australia needs a leader at this moment?
Originally published as Bondi attack unleashes reader fury and deep division over government’s response
