Australian PM sparks backlash for mocking opponent as ‘having Tourette’s’
Anthony Albanese later apologised for his ‘insensitive’ remark
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese faced criticism after suggesting in parliament that Liberal MP Angus Taylor might have Tourette’s syndrome.
The remark, in response to Mr Taylor’s repeated interjections during question time, drew laughter in the chamber. Though Mr Albanese withdrew his comment immediately, it sparked a backlash from the opposition as well as disability advocates.
“This nonsense that they carry on with ... have you got Tourette’s or something?” he asked Mr Taylor. “You just sit there, babble babble babble.”
Tourette’s syndrome is a neurological condition marked by involuntary, repetitive movements and vocalisations referred to as tics.
Opposition finance spokeswoman Jane Hume condemned the prime minister’s remark, calling it disrespectful and revealing of Mr Albanese’s character.
“People with Tourette syndrome deserve our respect, not our ridicule,” she said.
“This has really been an insight into the prime minister’s character, I think. Ironically, in a week when this parliament is going to be voting on adopting a code of conduct for our own behaviour in parliament, and I hope the prime minister reflects on that when he votes on that motion.”
Greens senator Jordon Steele-John and the president of the Tourette Syndrome Association of Australia, Mandy Maysey, called for an apology, expressing frustration that disability was used as a joke.
Mr Steele-John, who lives with cerebral palsy, wrote on X: “If our PM could stop using disability as the butt of his jokes that would be great. Casual ableism is still ableism.”
“Disabled people deserve better and they deserve an apology.”
Mr Albanese later acknowledged the mistake in the House and apologised to those affected by the disability.
“Today during question time, I made some unkind and hurtful comments. I knew as soon as I made them that they were wrong. I apologised and retracted my comments, but it should not have happened,” he said.
“I also want to apologise to all Australians who suffer from this disability, I regret saying it. It was wrong. It was insensitive and I apologise.”
Ms Maysey said she was “disgusted” by Mr Albanese’s comment. “The fact that it came so easy to him, to use Tourette’s as an insult is really quite upsetting and insulting,” she said.
“People with Tourette’s are trying to navigate life with what is constant ridicule – people stare, and you are being used as the butt of jokes and the prime minister thought it was OK to ridicule people with Tourette’s by using it as an insult.
“If we can have people in power using disability as the butt of a joke, it shows how much needs to be done to improve the lives of people with Tourette syndrome.”
Opposition health spokeswoman Anne Ruston also called the prime minister’s comment “despicable” and wrote on X: “Mocking a disability is no laughing matter.”
Research suggests that almost one in every 100 school-aged children in Australia may have Tourette’s syndrome.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments