Sky News Contributor Says Albanese Avoided Bondi Funeral Out of Fear of Backlash

SYDNEY — A Sky News contributor has sharply criticized Prime Minister Anthony Albanese for not attending the funeral of Matilda, the youngest victim of the Bondi Beach terror attack, arguing the prime minister stayed away because of concerns over public backlash from the Jewish community.

Writing for SkyNews.com.au, commentator James Bolt said Albanese’s absence reflected political caution rather than leadership, claiming the prime minister understood that his presence could provoke angry scenes that would define his legacy.

Bolt argued that while the prime minister has recently pledged support for new measures to combat antisemitism, his failure to engage earlier left deep resentment that now makes public appearances politically risky. He pointed to recent incidents in which senior government figures were heckled at memorial events as evidence of growing public anger.

According to the column, Albanese’s advisers may have concluded that attending the funeral would risk turning a moment of mourning into a political confrontation — something Bolt said would have been unfair to grieving families.

Still, the contributor described the prime minister’s absence as a profound failure of leadership, saying moments of national tragedy demand visible compassion and unity from those in power. Bolt contrasted Albanese’s actions with historic examples of leaders who publicly stood with citizens during times of crisis.

He concluded that the moral authority left vacant by political leaders in the wake of the Bondi attack has instead been filled by acts of courage from ordinary Australians who intervened during the violence.