Australian Olympic legend Dawn Fraser has criticised the Royal Commission into antisemitism, saying it has failed to examine key areas.

Fraser, whose calls for a Royal Commission were among those that helped prompt the Albanese government to establish the inquiry, said she was disappointed by the way it had operated.

In a statement to News24.com.au, Fraser said “it’s not too late for the Royal Commission to do the right thing. I hope it does.”

“The Royal Commission has allowed cross-examination of Jewish witnesses sharing their stories, but it hasn’t called ministers to give evidence, hasn’t called members of Islamist organisations active in the anti-Israel protests, and hasn’t investigated the sources, origins and growth of Islamist extremism, which pose serious national security challenges for Australia,” Fraser said.

“This fails both the pub test and the test of those with the proper qualifications.”

Fraser had previously signed a letter with 60 other prominent sporting figures calling on Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to establish a Royal Commission into antisemitism.

She said she had hoped the inquiry would investigate what she described as “harassment, intimidation and violence” directed at Australia’s Jewish community.

“I flew down to Sydney, drove to the site of the Bondi Massacre to pay respect to the mourning Jewish community and I also met with families of those who loved ones were murdered. I called on Mr Albanese to do the right thing,” she said.

“It was my hope and expectation that the Royal Commission would fearlessly investigate the unprecedented harassment, intimidation and violence that had been directed at the Australian Jewish community since October 7, 2023.

“What followed is not at all what I, or many of the others involved at the time, envisaged. As a sports person, I claim no expertise in these matters.

“However, when I see 30 of our most senior former military, intelligence and national-security figures (including former Governor-General and Chief of the Defence Force David Hurley, former ASIS Chiefs, a former AFP Commissioner, and former Chiefs of the Army, Navy and Air Force) all warning that key witnesses have been omitted and major stones left unturned, it tells me my instincts were right.”

The comments come as pressure grows on the Albanese government to extend the Royal Commission’s timeframe and allow for a broader examination of antisemitism and its causes.

Senior national security figures, Coalition politicians and legal experts have also called for the public hearings to be extended.

Image: Sky News