{
  "id": 435861,
  "title": "Frydenberg says he will not be called as royal commission witness",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/10/frydenberg-says-he-will-not-be-called-as-royal-commission-witness",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-10T04:15:42.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "ABC News AU",
    "slug": "abc-news-au",
    "url": "https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-08-10/bondi-antisemitism-social-cohesion-royal-commission-frydenberg/107016820"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Former Treasurer Josh Frydenberg has revealed he will not be summoned as a witness to the Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion. The commission, established in response to the Bondi Beach terror attack, declined to disclose individual witness selections. Frydenberg, a leading figure in the Australian Jewish community, had previously submitted a statement to the commission expressing his willingness to testify. Despite receiving no notice until last Friday, Frydenberg confirmed his absence in an opinion piece published in The Australian. The commission's spokesperson emphasized that they do not comment on individual witness decisions, and future witness names would be announced on their website. Frydenberg also criticized the questioning of Jewish Board of Deputies president David Ossip by lawyers representing pro-Palestinian groups during recent royal commission hearings, emphasizing the commission's focus on antisemitism and the importance of drawing clear boundaries against hate and violence.",
  "summary": "Former treasurer Josh Frydenberg said he made a submission to the commission and indicated his willingness to appear as a witness.",
  "key_points": [
    "Josh Frydenberg, former Treasurer, will not testify at Royal Commission.",
    "Commission declined to disclose individual witness selections.",
    "Frydenberg criticized questioning of David Ossip, Jewish Board of Deputies president."
  ],
  "editors_take": "Frydenberg's exclusion from the royal commission as a witness suggests a divergence between his high-profile stance on antisemitism and the commission's priorities in selecting witnesses.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}