On Australia Day, I found myself reflecting on the Prime Minister’s memorial service speech at the Sydney Opera House. And I am sorry, Mr Albanese, because I heard the words, but I have not seen the actions that go with those words.

I noted the welcome reception given to your apology. The applause was loud when you gave it and when it was acknowledged by the host, Sharri Markson.

Your words of recognition of the pain caused by the Bondi massacre were also well received.

But again. I say sorry. Your words sound like a well-scripted essay written by someone who has done their homework. You cover most of the ground that has been contentious since the attack. The lack of keeping Jews safe is a theme that eventually comes through your talk. And that is appreciated.

However, do these words conflict with your lack of action to date to respond strongly to the intimidation, property harm, and loss of freedom experienced by the Jews in this country? What I heard on that night a was a safely scripted performance to build back some public confidence.

You spoke of the Australian character that can hold us together, pleading for unity to be our theme. But you gave no indication in your speech that you know from where Australia’s character and unity come. In this speech, and others, I cannot remember hearing about our Judeo-Christian foundations that are necessary for our democratic society. I have heard lots about ‘decently remembering the original Indigenous peoples’ – but not much, if anything, about our strong British heritage that has given most of those people and the many immigrants the opportunities they have today

Strong character in the face of danger is a matter of discernment as to knowing good from evil, beauty from ugliness, and means from ends. But from where does that discernment come? I have not heard you describe the source of those things that are to underpin our unity, even while you call us to that place.

Thus, your attempted poetic metaphors feel like candy on an empty stomach.

Compare that to the heartfelt recognition of the hero just out of hospital for four hours to attend the memorial event, or even to your colleague, the New South Wales State Premier, and his opposite number. Note the rapturous applause for the 14-year-old who shared her story of being prompted by God to defend the defenceless with her own body. She gave everyone there the challenge to listen in a similar manner to those promptings.

Is it not sad, Mr Prime Minister, that your greatest applause was for your apology, when others were loudly recognised because of their actions during that horrible time, and since? You apologised saying you ‘could not’ stop the events which threated Jewish safety, even though anger and hatred have been increasingly manifested in public, which serves as the context for these horrific murders.

‘Could not’, ‘would not’, or ‘did not’?

We will keep watching, and time will tell.