The ABC’s announcement of a new podcast, hosted by former Australian of the Year Grace Tame, has attracted criticism from a number of community sectors, after it was revealed on Tuesday.
The ABC said that Tame, a highly devisive public figure, will host a four-part podcast, Autistic AF with Grace Tame, and discuss aspects of women’s experience with autism in Australia.
But the decision to employ Tame in any capacity has been slammed on online, and even described as “problematic” by one of ABC’s own staff.
ABC presenter Charlie Pickering told Rebel News Australia on Tuesday:
“I do actually think it’s problematic, that’s my personal opinion,” Pickering said.
“I think, as a Jewish Australian, there’s a complete misunderstanding of a lot of the words that are said and what (the) true meanings of them are. A lot of people are using words and phrases that have meaning well beyond what they think they do.
“I think you could argue that a lot of people who jump on protest bandwagons are ignorant a lot of the time.”
Pickering made the comments when asked about the new podcast, but clarified he was not directly referring to Tame.
Grace Tame’s new ABC podcast, Autistic AF. Image: ABC
“ABC’s hiring of activist Grace Tame is untenable”
Liberal federal MP Sarah Henderson, the opposition spokesperson for communications, last night issued a formal statement on her website entitled, “ABC’s hiring of activist Grace Tame is untenable.”
The senator said the “shock” employment of Tame was inconsistent with “the ABC’s editorial standards and statutory obligation to disseminate news and information impartially and accurately”.
She added, “At a time when antisemitism 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.”
Asking for the ABC’s managing director Hugh Marks to explain, Henderson further said, “Australians are entitled to know whether the ABC conducted any assessment of Ms Tame’s public statements and activism before offering her this role, and whether it considered the impact this appointment would have on public confidence and trust in the broadcaster.”
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Jewish leaders slam job given to Grace Tame as “tone deaf”
Jewish leaders are also outraged about the ABC’s engagement of Tame, saying it shows a “profound lack of judgment”, The Australian reports.
Australian Jewish Association chief Robert Gregory said: “I simply could not believe Australia’s public broadcaster could be so tone deaf.
“This decision demonstrates a profound lack of judgment and disregard for the concerns of many Australians, particularly within the Jewish community. It reinforces the growing perception that ABC management is increasingly out of touch with the communities it is supposed to serve.”
Executive Council of Australian Jewry co-chief executive Alex Ryvchin also told The Australian:
“It seems the ABC has determined that Grace Tame is fit for employment at public expense after screaming chants widely interpreted as calling for global attacks on Jews, and a radio interview in which she doubled down on her comments questioning the widespread pack rape and sexual torture committed by Hamas, which the terrorists themselves never denied.”
Grame Tame speaks at a rally protesting the visit of Isaac Herzog. Image: Instagram
Grace Tame says cancelled engagements are due to ‘smear campaign’
The ABC podcast host appointment has come as a surprise to many especially in the context of how 2026 has played out for the activist.
In March this year, Tame admitted that her speaking appointments have almost vanished in the wake of her shouting “globalise the intifada” at a pro-Palestine rally the previous month.
Tame revealed during a speech in early March at the No to Violence conference in Hobart that she had no more speaking engagements for the entire year.
“This is my last presentation of the year and it’s only March,” the 2021 Australian of the Year said.
She began her speech by saying she does not support violence or antisemitism, adding that she does not support Islamophobia or hatred of any kind – despite what she feels has been presented by the media recently.
Tame said she was “up against a well-oiled political machine.”
The professional speaker, who is paid for some of her appearances, attributes an “ongoing media smear campaign” to the cancellation of three of her engagements the prior week.
In a post on Instagram about it, Tame said she had “lost three speaking engagements on the theme of child safety due to an ongoing media smear campaign”.
Tame was condemned by members of the Jewish community due to her appearance at a rally protesting Israel President Isaac Herzog’s visit to Australia in February, where she led chants to “Globalise the Intifada.”
After her attendance at the rally, Tame faced calls to be stripped of her Australian of the Year award, with more than 25,000 Australians signing a petition demanding action.
The petition called for authorities to charge Tame with “[alleged] criminal incitement to violence under existing Australian law.”
“We do not need new ‘hate speech’ laws, if the threshold for incitement has been crossed, current laws are sufficient,” the petition stated.
“In 2021, Grace Tame was named Australian of the Year, an honour reserved for individuals who reflect the values, unity and integrity of our nation.
“That title carries moral weight. It is not just recognition for past advocacy, it represents an ongoing association with Australian ideals.”
Top image: Grace Tame. Image: Instagram