Conservative media commentators and politicians have launched a fierce attack on the ABC following its decision to commission a podcast about women with autism, hosted by former Australian of the Year Grace Tame. The controversy erupted after ABC star Charlie Pickering described the appointment as 'problematic' during an encounter with right-wing media figure Avi Yemini.
Political and Media Criticism
Opposition communications spokeswoman Sarah Henderson issued a lengthy statement on Tuesday, calling the decision 'untenable.' She criticized Ms. Tame's pro-Palestinian activism, stating: 'The ABC's shock decision to employ as a podcast host Grace Tame, who described corroborated reports of Hamas' sexual violence against Israeli women as propaganda which had been debunked and led a pro-Palestine rally chanting globalise the intifada is untenable.'
Senator Henderson added: 'At a time when anti-Semitism is at record levels in Australia, the national broadcaster should be exercising the highest standards of judgment, not rewarding individuals who have undermined social cohesion and spread false information about one of the worst terrorist atrocities in modern history. This decision is deeply offensive to Jewish Australians and does nothing to negate the perception that the ABC provides a safe haven for anti-Israel activists.'
Radio Host Weighs In
2GB radio host Clinton Maynard also expressed strong disapproval, claiming Ms. Tame had developed a 'woe is me' attitude. He suggested that her appointment as Australian of the Year in 2021 was likely 'one of the great regrets' of the Morrison government. Ms. Tame received the honor for her advocacy in law reform and raising awareness about sexual violence against women and girls.
Defense of Tame
However, Amy Remeikis, chief political analyst at The Australia Institute, defended Ms. Tame in a BlueSky post, describing the attacks as 'disingenuous and unhinged.' She wrote: 'The attacks against Grace Tame are disingenuous and unhinged. Deliberately lacking context to cause fear and harm. Enough.'
Context of the Controversy
The podcast announcement, made on Monday, initially went largely unnoticed until Charlie Pickering, one of the ABC's most prominent entertainers, was confronted by Yemini at an anti-ABC protest outside the Melbourne bureau. Yemini, who was barred from entering the UK last month, asked Pickering if he believed the appointment was appropriate. Pickering responded: 'I do actually think it's problematic, that's my personal opinion. As a Jewish Australian, there is a complete misunderstanding of a lot of the words that were said and what the true meaning of them are. A lot of people are using words and phrases that have meaning well beyond what they think they do.'
Ms. Tame has not yet publicly responded to the criticism.
