Real reason Anthony Albanese failed to attend 10yo Bondi terror attack victim Matilda’s funeral
It’s an image that exposes the growing rift between the grieving family of Bondi massacre victim Matilda and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
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.”
by
Samantha Maiden