Consider this a new entry in the “Media Missteps” category. During a recent episode of the “Politics Now” podcast, Laura Tingle, the Global Affairs Editor for ABC (Australian Broadcasting Corporation), made a controversial claim regarding the recent attack at Sydney’s Bondi Beach. She stated, not once but twice, that the attack, which targeted a Hanukkah celebration, was not influenced by religious motives.
The assault occurred during the first night of the Jewish holiday and was marked by the presence of symbols closely associated with ISIS, including an ISIS flag displayed on the attackers’ vehicle. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese noted that those responsible were driven by extremist ideologies linked to ISIS, an organization whose very name—Islamic State of Iraq and Syria—indicates a strong religious component.
Despite these connections, Tingle insisted on the podcast that the attack had no religious basis. This assertion came after host Patricia Karvelas mentioned the attackers’ radicalization and anti-Semitic sentiments. Tingle interjected, emphasizing her belief that their actions were not rooted in their religion.
Such statements have certainly sparked debate, with many questioning the narrative presented by Tingle and the broader implications of denying the religious elements in acts of terror. As the discussion continues, it remains crucial to consider the full context of such incidents to ensure an accurate understanding of their underlying motivations.
Tingle, however, would like the people of Australia to know there is absolutely no connection to religion whatsoever.
During an episode of the ABC’s “Politics Now” podcast, host Patricia Karvelas pointed out that the attackers were radicalized and anti-Semitic, to which Tingle interjected, “Their actions are not based on their religion.”
Karvelas actually tries to chime in, saying, “absolutely radicalized, these were.”
As if the first comment didn’t come through, Tingle reiterated that the terrorists and/or their terrorist actions “have got nothing to do with religion.”
High-profile ABC journalist Laura Tingle has claimed Sunday’s targeted attack on a Jewish festival at Bondi Beach was not motivated by religion. Speaking on the ABC ‘Politics Now’ podcast on Tuesday afternoon, Tingle said the actions of the terrorists “have got nothing to do with… pic.twitter.com/E0ohvlU3VA
— The Australian (@australian) December 17, 2025
READ MORE: 15 Dead in Sydney Terror Attack As Gunmen Target Jewish Families at Bondi Beach Hanukkah Gathering
Australian Prime Minister Has Finally Figured Out What ‘Inspired’ Bondi Beach Terrorists
Sarah Henderson, the Liberal Senator for Victoria, blasted Tingle’s comments as “deeply offensive and grossly irresponsible.”
“The ABC has a statutory obligation to disseminate news and information impartially and accurately,” Henderson wrote on X. “That one of the ABC’s most senior journalists says this murderous terrorist attack ‘has nothing to do with religion’ demonstrates a shocking lack of judgment at this truly horrific time for our nation.”
Josh Frydenberg, a former politician, also took aim at Tingle’s inane remarks.
“I heard one of the leading journalists from the ABC say that this (Bondi massacre) has nothing to do with religion,” he said. “Well, you know what that is, that’s propaganda.”
“I heard one of the leading journalists from the ABC say that this (Bondi massacre) has nothing to do with religion. Well, you know what that is, that’s propaganda.”
Josh FrydenbergABC’s Laura Tingle: Bondi attack had ‘nothing to do with religion’ pic.twitter.com/Lz4yQTxxxj
— Timjbo 🇦🇺 (@TimjboAU) December 17, 2025
The updated death toll in the terrorist attack in Sydney stands at 15 victims, which includes a 10-year-old, but excludes the one deceased shooter. Those people died because, as the Prime Minister states, “there’s evidence that this was inspired by a terrorist organization, by ISIS.”
“Now, some of the evidence which has been procured, including the presence of Islamic State flags in the vehicle that has been seized, are a part of that,” added Albanese. “Radical perversion of Islam is absolutely a problem. It is something that has been identified globally as a problem as well.”
The ISIS flag on the Bondi terrorist’s car. pic.twitter.com/vZpnOt87Gy
— AussieLoyalist (@LoyalistAussie) December 16, 2025
Time to wake up, Australia. The intent here is to propagandize to the point where they further restrict gun rights for the law-abiding, leaving them even more vulnerable to attacks like this by the law-breaking. Imagine how much easier it would have been for the Bondi Beach hero to take down the terrorist if he had a gun, as opposed to having to tackle him from behind.
What else would you expect from the Land Down Under? The world just watched what happened there during the pandemic.
Australia’s draconian COVID lockdowns represented one of the worst assaults on fundamental rights in a Western democracy, confining millions to their homes, imposing arbitrary curfews, and brutally suppressing peaceful protests with excessive police force.
Back to Tingle: It’s not like she’s afraid to paint a broad swath of people with the same brush. It’s just certain people she apparently won’t touch. Like Islamic terrorists.
Last year, in a discussion about limiting immigration, Tingle called Australia a “racist country.”
“We are a racist country, let’s face it. We always have been, and it’s very depressing,” she said.
When it comes to limiting immigration, the entire country is racist, in her view. When it comes to a very specific terrorist attack on the Jewish community by Islamic State-inspired terrorists, it’s just a shrug of the shoulders and another Ilhan Omar-esque “some people did something” moment.
You can’t hate the media enough.
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