Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has ignited a firestorm of criticism from left-leaning politicians and influencers after he described former Australian of the Year Grace Tame as "difficult." The controversy erupted during a forum hosted by a Victorian newspaper on Wednesday, where Albanese was asked to answer a series of questions with a single word. When prompted about Tame, the 2021 Australian of the Year, his response was "difficult," a comment that quickly drew sharp rebukes.
Immediate Backlash and Accusations of Misogyny
On Thursday, Grace Tame herself took exception to the remark, resharing a social media post that labeled Albanese a "misogynist." The post, captioned by survivor and advocate Harrison James, stated: "Difficult is the misogynist's code for a woman who won't comply. History tends to call her 'courageous.'" This sparked a wave of condemnation from progressive circles, with many accusing the Prime Minister of using gendered stereotypes to undermine Tame.
Albanese's Attempt to Clarify
In response to the backlash, Albanese quickly back-pedaled, attempting to reframe his description. He explained, "She's had a difficult life, that's what I was referring to." However, this clarification did little to quell the criticism, as critics argued it echoed similar justifications used by his predecessor, Scott Morrison. Tame compared the two leaders, noting, "Both men, when called out for their behaviour towards me, have used 'she's had a difficult life' as a condescending justification. Get some new material boys!"
Progressive Voices Turn Against the Prime Minister
Influential figures on the left have voiced their disappointment with Albanese. Progressive influencer Hannah Ferguson used an expletive to describe him as a "user," pointing out that he closely associated himself with Tame before his 2022 election win. She claimed, "Anthony Albanese has departed from any principles he once claimed to have as he follows Pauline down the road to the right. That's all that's happening right now... as he sees her numbers surge, he's following her relevance. Australians... can smell a disingenuous person a mile away... He's bootlicking."
Political and Media Reactions
Crikey politics editor Bernard Keane added to the critique, stating, "Albanese was happy to co-opt Tame for political purposes when he was opposition leader and the Morrison government was mired in accusations of misogyny. Now, he's using the 'difficult woman' stereotype about her (why not 'hysterical', or 'shrill', PM?)." Satire group The Chaser joined in, describing Albanese as "spineless" in a parody headline: "Spineless man frustrated that woman dares to have one."
Greens leader Larissa Waters and Senator Sarah Hanson-Young also weighed in. Waters said, "Labelling women as difficult won't silence us. It won't stop us speaking truth to power," while Hanson-Young remarked, "Some of my best friends are 'difficult' women." Australia Palestine Advocacy Network president Nasser Mashni urged Albanese to "lean into the keffiyeh Albo of old," referencing his past support for Palestinian causes.
Support for Tame and Broader Context
Amid the controversy, support for Grace Tame has grown. Aussie musician and former manager of The Wiggles, Paul Field, pledged his backing, captioning a photo with Tame: "We need more and more 'difficult' women, like Grace Tame. Always speaking truth to power. Continued love and strength to her." He added a quote from late primatologist Jane Goodall: "It actually doesn’t take much to be considered a difficult woman. That’s why there’s so many of us."
Recent Controversies Involving Tame
The backlash comes on the heels of another contentious moment involving Tame. Earlier this month, she sparked controversy by chanting "Globalise the Intifada" during a speech at a Sydney rally protesting the visit of Israeli president Isaac Herzog. The protest turned violent as activists defied a court order, risking arrest under special police powers. Tame led a chant from the steps of Sydney Town Hall: "From Gadigal to Gaza, globalise the Intifada," which was echoed by thousands waving Palestinian flags. This stunt prompted widespread calls for her to be stripped of her Australian of the Year honour.
As the debate rages on, Albanese's comments have highlighted deeper tensions within progressive politics, raising questions about authenticity and gender dynamics in Australian leadership. The incident underscores the challenges faced by public figures when navigating sensitive issues, with the fallout likely to resonate in political discourse for weeks to come.
