In a bold statement, former Prime Minister Tony Abbott has advocated for New South Wales Premier Chris Minns to steer the nation, suggesting Minns’ leadership could better ensure Australians’ safety following the recent tragedy in Bondi.
Abbott’s remarks come in the wake of a devastating shooting during a Jewish festival on December 14, which tragically resulted in 15 deaths. He praised Minns for demonstrating the strength and resolve that he believes the federal government has lacked since the incident.
Speaking on Radio 2GB on Monday, Abbott expressed his wish for a leader like Minns to be at Australia’s helm. “The difference is stark,” he remarked, “between a Prime Minister who has shown little conviction from the start and a New South Wales Labor Premier who, at the very least, seems committed to doing what is right.”
The former Prime Minister didn’t hold back in criticizing Anthony Albanese’s administration, accusing it of inadequately addressing the surge in antisemitism and extremist hatred following the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks on Israel.
Abbott voiced his disappointment, stating, “This government, at every level, appears not to be genuinely committed to tackling the deep-seated hatred plaguing our society.”
‘At every level, this is a government which hasn’t seemed fair dinkum about tackling the dual hatred in our midst,’ Abbott said.
‘It all started with the appalling reaction of so many so-called Islamic community leaders to the original October 7 atrocity. Then we had that day of infamy in front of the Opera House where an angry mob was yelling unspeakable things against Jewish people.’
He criticised the federal government for indecision when it comes to tackling extremist slogans and cracking down on hate preachers.
Tony Abbott (pictured) praised Chris Minns’ response to the Bondi Beach terrorist attack
‘Even now, we have a federal government that can’t quite decide what slogans are going to be banned, what marches are going to be banned, what’s going to happen to hate preachers. It’s just not good enough,’ he said.
‘We need at least a few people with a national security mindset in these perilous times, and that appears to be completely lacking in a government which is just not up to the job of keeping our country safe.’
Abbott’s remarks come as Minns continues to win praise for his decisive and empathetic response to the Bondi Beach tragedy.
Within 24 hours of the attack, Minns appeared on ABC’s 7.30 and acknowledged shortcomings in his government’s response.
‘I’m sure if we had our time again, we would have responded differently,’ Minns said.
Days later, he was met with a standing ovation at Sydney’s Central Synagogue after expressing deep regret.
‘The first duty of any state is to protect its citizens. The sad reality for me and our state is we didn’t do that. I bear a deep responsibility for that as Premier.’
Minns has attended every victim’s funeral, supported calls for a federal royal commission, and promised stronger security for Jewish communities.
Chris Minns (pictured) received a standing ovation at the Bondi memorial on Sunday night
Anthony Albanese (pictured) was booed by attendees at the Bondi Beach vigil on Sunday
By contrast, Albanese faced a hostile crowd at Sunday night’s vigil near Bondi Pavilion.
Declaring a national Day of Reflection, the Prime Minister was booed on arrival, and one man charged at him, shouting ‘blood on your hands.’
Jewish leaders have since supported a royal commission, with NSW Jewish Board of Deputies president David Ossip publicly thanking Minns for his leadership and prompting another standing ovation.
Albanese was then booed for a second time.
Abbott said Minns’ approach was a stark contrast to what he described as a ‘social justice mindset’ in the Albanese government.
‘We need at least a few people who’ve got a national security mindset in these perilous times, and that appears to be completely lacking in a government which is just not up to the job of keeping our country safe,’ Abbott said.
‘I just wish Labor could find someone like Chris Minns in their ranks to lead the country,’ he added. ‘Because right now, we need strength, and we’re not getting it.’
