Andrew L. Urban
According to The Australian’s editorial (11/8/2026) “There is no political reason to exclude (Josh Frydenberg): Labor MPs Mark Dreyfus and Josh Burns have testified.” Here, in a single sentence, the editorial exposes and contradicts the opposite of its statement. The two men named are Labor MPs. Frydenberg was a Coalition MP. Geddit?
But Commissioner Bell could not be so naive as to think the Commission would escape scrutiny and even condemnation for the exclusion. The conclusion has to be that it was calculated that keeping Frydenberg away would cause less political damage than including his testimony. Which, of course, points the finger at the Albanese government. Which, in turn, undermines if not obliterates, the Commission’s legitimacy.
If we are permitted to speculate on the basis of his and others’ submissions (including ours), Frydenberg would have highlighted the antisemitic environment generated by the Labor cabinet before, during and after the October 7 massacre of Jews. PM Albanese could have been cited as the leader of a government failing to protect its people. Commissioner Bell could not risk that.
Our submission (Feb 25, 2026) listed the many instances that show how “the current government has conspicuously demonised Israel since October 7, 2023, which provided the political permission for a national attitudinal environment that tolerated (if not encouraged) antisemitism almost as official policy.”
Among a raft of other recommendations, Frydenberg wants the Government to “more actively prosecute and punish those who incite violence and hate.” Imagine him fleshing out this sentiment at the Commission.
The implication is clear enough: the Government did not move to prosecute and punish those who incite violence and hate. As we stated in our submission, the government signalled its relaxed posture in the face of antisemitic agitation and violence early. “It began with the metaphorical shrug of the shoulders response to the infamous hate-filled demonstration on the Opera House steps the day after the Hamas massacre in Israel. There followed policy reversals, UN voting patterns, sanctions, and public criticisms of Israel’s actions.”
Sure enough, others appearing at the Commission hinted or suggested that the government could have done more, Frydenberg was likely to ring that bell more loudly, forcefully and more pointedly.