AFL referred to antisemitism royal commission after opening round speech controversy

The Sydney Swans have apologised for removing references to the Jewish community in a speech honouring victims of the Bondi massacre during the AFL's opening round.

The apology was issued after Liberal senator James Paterson referred the AFL to the Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion for investigation, airing claims that the league was behind the script change.

A ceremony held on March 5 during the opening round match between Sydney and Carlton at the Sydney Cricket Ground paid tribute to those affected by the Bondi terror attack.

Swans chief executive and former player Matthew Pavlich spoke at the ceremony, which included survivors and emergency responders being honoured on the ground.

"We come together this evening to honour those who were injured and those who lost their lives at Bondi Beach in December," Pavlich said before a moment of silence.

"To all in our community, we stand with you."

But allegations were made during the week on SEN radio by former Swans great Gerard Healy, who claimed the speech had been changed. 

"The script was changed. Initially, it had: 'We stand with the Jewish community,'" Healy said.

"I think it was an error of … misjudgement."

Healy said he had spoken to Swans chairman Andrew Pridham, but was unsure of who made the decision to change the script.

AFL referred to royal commission

The comments were picked up today by Senator Paterson, who levelled accusations against the AFL in his referral to the royal commission.

Senator Paterson said there were reports an acknowledgement of the Jewish community was removed at the request of the AFL. 

"It is particularly concerning that someone at the AFL apparently believes that acknowledging that the victims of Bondi were Jewish is a 'political' act, and is certainly not consistent with the AFL's enthusiastic past embrace of contentious political causes, like the Voice referendum," Mr Patterson said.

"It is incredibly disappointing that even after Bondi, influential institutions like the AFL are still clearly failing."

During an SEN radio interview on Saturday, AFL chief executive Andrew Dillon said he was not aware of the contents of the speech before the event.

"I don't know exactly the ins and outs of scripts and the like," Mr Dillon said.

"Matthew [Pavlich] did a great job of hosting that ceremony, and I think it was the appropriate forum and it paid tribute to those victims and, again, what was a horrific attack on the Jewish community."

The Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion began last month, with an interim report to be delivered by April 30.

Swans take responsibility for speech 'oversight'

The Sydney Swans faced the media today to address the situation, with Pavlich saying the script change was a decision made by the club alone.

"To be very clear, there was no directive from the AFL to remove reference to the Jewish community in the script, and we've never suggested this was the case," Pavlich said.

"Plenty of the brave responders and also the community heroes were there, many … who aren't Jewish. It was about acknowledging everyone that was out there."

The former Fremantle star apologised for the "oversight" and said the club remained supportive of the Jewish community.

Pavlich said the speech was developed as part of a group process and was seen by the AFL, but that the final decision rested with him.

"It went through many different edits and, in the end, I saw the speech, I obviously gave it, so I take responsibility for that," he said.

"It was about trying to be as inclusive as we could for many people affected … clearly, because we're here today, that was an oversight that we got wrong. And we own that."