Grace Tame has said “we’re living in an Orwellian nightmare” in a scathing critique of the prime minister and his government’s position on the war in the Middle East.
In an essay published in Crikey on Friday, the advocate for sexual abuse survivors and human rights activist accused Anthony Albanese of being a “coward” and a “turncoat” for refusing to condemn the US-Israel strikes on Iran.
It was her most comprehensive rebuke of the PM since he called her “difficult” at a News Corp event when he was asked to describe public figures in one word. He later claimed he meant to describe her “difficult life”.
Tame, who was named Australian of the Year in 2021, said she had come up against a “well-oiled, well funded political propaganda machine” in recent months, adding the only reason Albanese found her “difficult” was because she had been “outspoken about Australia’s toxic alliance with the US and Israel”.
“Anthony Albanese has let us all down by capitulating to foreign powers who crave hegemony, profit from endless chaos, and whose interests conflict with our own,” she said.
“This was recently reinforced by how quickly the government moved to show support for the Iran war initiated by the US and Israel without congressional approval and in direct violation of international law.
“I don’t think Albanese is a bumbling misogynist. I think he’s a savvy political operator keen to appease Washington and Tel Aviv. It’s a badge of honour to weigh on his conscience.”
Tame contrasted Albanese’s historical advocacy for Palestine and critique of Australia’s involvement in the Iraq war with his current position on Iran, alleging as a “relatively defenceless Pacific middle power, Australia cannot afford to cut its military ties with the US and Israel”.
“We’re in a geopolitical chokehold,” she said.
“To Albanese, I am difficult because I am both aware of this reality and unafraid to scream it at the top of my lungs, much to his obvious chagrin.
“While he might feel safe describing me as such in the false comfort of a conservative bubble, I sincerely doubt he would say it to my face.”
The federal government has endorsed the war by stating that “Australia supports action to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon and to prevent Iran from continuing to threaten international peace and security”.
Tame has faced major backlash from some conservative politicians and media outlets since her appearance at a pro-Palestine rally outside Sydney’s Town Hall last month, in which she led chants of the controversial phrase “globalise the intifada”.
“That day, the press and our so-called leaders needed a soundbite,” Tame said. “They needed a scapegoat to distract from the broadcast footage of unprovoked police brutality that erupted that very evening. I was the obvious, easy target.
“In the weeks following, countless headlines, opinion pieces, talk-show segments and radio interviews have been churned out, framing me as an antisemite and terrorist sympathiser who promotes violence. Never mind that I have spent half my life trying to protect children.”
Tame said there was a “disconnect” between the “values of everyday voters and desires of influential powerbrokers”, which was placing the Australian government and some media outlets out of step with its people.
“The tide of public consciousness has turned in Australia,” she said. “The game is up; we don’t buy the propaganda anymore. Just as we don’t buy Albanese’s defence for calling me difficult.”
Albanese was approached for comment.
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