Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was a no-show at the funeral of 10-year-old Bondi attack victim Matilda because his office did not reach out to attend, noting her parents were upset with the government over the failure to tackle anti-semitism.
NSW Premier Chris Minns, Opposition Leader Sussan Ley, and Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek are among the mourners at the funeral.
News.com.au understands that Matilda’s grandparents live in Ms Plibersek’s electorate and she reached out to offer her condolences and accepted an invitation to attend as a mark of respect for the little girl.
Government sources have also confirmed what Mr Albanese declined to say at today’s press conference – that he did not attend because he did not request to attend, a reflection of the fact his attendance might upset the family.
At a press conference on Thursday, Mr Albanese repeatedly refused to confirm whether he requested to attend Matilda’s funeral.
“After the Port Arthur massacre, John Howard engaged face-to-face with the community, after the bushfires Scott Morrison went down to the South Coast and got some tough feedback,” this reporter asked the Prime Minister.
“Why haven’t you attended any of the funerals? Why have you been saying you weren’t invited?
“Generally the process is the ministers office reaches out to attend. And will you be to Bondi to meet with victims face-to-face, even if that means receiving some tough criticism?”
“I have reached out to families,’’ Mr Albanese replied.
“I have made it clear. Today I chaired the National Security Committee here. We are acting but I have met with families. I have spoken on the phone with families and I will continue to engage.”
He said that he had met with families at Bondi privately.
“I have done that. I have not just been down in Bondi on Monday morning, what is now a large memorial,’’ he said.
“Early on I met with police, members of the community. I have been to homes in Bondi. Just on Tuesday visited the home of the rabbi and met with families grieving who are going through complete trauma and I understand that. I have met with the families and have spoken to them.
“Each and every day I have met face-to-face with people who are going through the worst of grieving processes as well and I will continue to engage with them.”
AFP Commissioner Krissy Barrett said she grieved for the Bondi attack’s youngest victim Matilda – not only as a police commissioner but as a mother, a sister and a daughter.
“Today is the funeral of little Matilda. She was so young. She was so innocent,’’ she said.
“My heart is so heavy for her family. I offer my sincere and heartfelt condolences to the families who are mourning and who continue to bury loved ones.
“One funeral is one too many, but the reality of this cruel attack is that some families will attend more than one. I want to reiterate this today, – as AFP Commissioner, I say to Jewish Australians, you do not share this grief alone.
“I will share the weight of this unfortunate grief with you – not just as a police officer who is dedicated to protecting and serving our country, but also as a wife, as a mother, a sister, and a daughter. The AFP is resolutely determined to protect Australians.”
Reason Sussan Ley was invited to funeral
Political insiders noted the usual practice was for a PM’s office to reach out to a family asking if they would be comfortable if the PM attended as a mark of respect.
This is the process by which Ms Ley has attended Jewish funerals for victims of the Bondi massacre.
Liberal frontbencher Julian Leeser, who is Jewish, has liaised with synagogues, Jewish religious leaders and families.
In the case of Matilda’s family, Mr Leeser reached out and asked if the family would like them to attend as a mark of respect.
They were only invited after they requested permission to attend.
Matilda’s parents take aim at PM
It comes after the parents of the youngest Bondi massacre victim accused Mr Albanese of having “failed” their daughter and every other person who died in Sunday’s attack.
Matilda’s father, Michael, told those at a flower memorial at Bondi Beach on Wednesday, that Mr Albanese “failed Matilda”.
“He has betrayed the Jewish people of Australia, and of the whole world,” he said.
“Like what the hell is he thinking? And it showed what happened.”
Matilda’s mother, Valentyna, said the Jewish community had raised concerns about anti-Semitism and the government had failed to act.
“We have been saying for years,” she said. “They didn’t do anything,” she said.
‘I would attend anything that I’m invited to’
Mr Albanese has not attended any funerals of the victims to date.
“Well this will be terribly sad, and family members and the community will be farewelling their loved ones – today it begins,” he said earlier this week.
“I’ve been meeting with the Jewish community, including those who have lost loved ones in this anti-Semitic terror attack. I’ve been to homes, last night we hosted at Admiralty House, the Governor-General hosted leaders of the Jewish community, including members who had lost loved ones. And it is a very, very sad time, and today will be a very difficult day. And my thoughts and the thoughts of all Australians are with those farewelling their loved ones today.
When asked why he wasn’t attending the initial Jewish funerals, he said he wasn’t invited.
“Well, I would attend anything that I’m invited to. These are funerals that are taking place to farewell people’s loved ones,” the Prime Minister said.
Josh Frydenberg’s scathing attack
Amid anger over the government’s handling of anti-Semitism former deputy Liberal leader Josh Frydenberg launched a scathing attack on Mr Albanese this week when he attended Bondi Beach.
“We, as a Jewish community, have been abandoned and left alone by our government”.
“It is time for him to accept personal responsibility for the death of 15 innocent people, including a 10-year-old child. It is time our prime minister accepted accountability for what has happened here. And it’s time our leaders stood up and led at last.”
“Your government has failed us. You sit in a chair. It is time you earned that title. If you don’t want to do the job, give it to somebody who will.”
“Let me tell you, guns may have stolen the life of 15 innocent civilians, but it was radical Islamist ideology that pulled the trigger.”
Speaking last night at an interfaith memorial held at St Mary’s Cathedral, Mr Albanese said that his prayers were for the souls of the innocent people whose lives were so cruelly and violently stolen away at Bondi Beach that Sunday evening.
“We pray with those who knew and loved them. Including, I know, the family of Rabbi Eli, who was farewelled today,” he said.
“Everyone who has lost the centre of their universe.
“The love of their life.
“Their pride and joy.
“We grieve for the light and laughter and strength and comfort that so many have lost.
“We grieve for everyone denied their future – and we grieve with everyone who would have shared in their happiness.
“We pray that those being treated for their injuries recover.
“We reflect with gratitude on the bravery and skill of the police and first responders, who saved lives.”
The Prime Minister is in Canberra this morning to attend a meeting of the national security committee.
He is expected to hold a press conference later today with some major announcements expected on the fallout from the Bondi Beach massacre.
He is under pressure to call a royal commission or inquiry into the incident and has flagged gun law reform as likely given revelations that shooter Sajid Akram, who was killed by police, obtained a gun licence.
This was despite the fact his son, alleged shooter Navid, had come to the attention of ASIO just a few years earlier.
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