Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese apologised after calling Grace Tame, 2021 Australian of the Year who won’t comply,” adding that history often calls such women “courageous.”
Greens leader Larissa Waters condemned the description on X, writing that labelling women “difficult” won’t silence them and suggesting alternative words: “unbreakable, warrior, fierce.”
During the quiz, Albanese also described former US President Donald Trump as “president,” opposition coalition leader Angus Taylor as “leader,” and Pauline Hanson, head of One Nation, as “divisive.” When asked about Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, he replied “grub,” drawing audience applause.
Tame earned the Australian of the Year award for overturning Tasmanian laws that silenced sexual abuse survivors. From age 15, she was groomed and raped by her 58-year-old maths teacher Nicolaas Ockert Bester, who later served just one year and nine months in jail.
Tame has previously criticised former PM Scott Morrison over his government’s response to sexual assault allegations, including political staffer Brittany Higgins’ 2019 claim of rape in parliament. Videos of Tame refusing to smile at an official event with Morrison went viral in 2022.
Recently, Tame sparked controversy by using the phrase “globalise the intifada” at a pro-Palestine rally. Authorities considered banning the phrase under new laws targeting “hateful” slogans after the Bondi Beach shootings. The term, originated during the 1987 Palestinian uprising, is interpreted by some as violent and by others as peaceful resistance.
Some politicians, including former Deputy PM Barnaby Joyce, now aligned with One Nation, have called for Tame to be stripped of her Australian of the Year title over the remark.
Erizia Rubyjeana
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