The Prime Minister has apologized for making “wrong” and “insensitive” comments in Parliament when asking whether an opposition MP suffered from Tourette’s syndrome.
During question time on Tuesday, Anthony Albanese made the remark in the face of interjections from opposition MP Angus Taylor.
“Do you have Tourette’s syndrome or something? You know, you just sit there, babbling, babbling, babbling,” he said.
Although he quickly withdrew his comment, he was immediately criticized by other MPs and activists for using the condition as an insult.
Later Tuesday, Albanese apologized for the remarks made in the House of Representatives.
“I made comments that were mean and hurtful. I knew it was wrong as soon as I made that comment,” he said.
“I apologized and walked away as soon as I said it, but it shouldn’t have happened. I also want to apologize to all Australians who suffer from this disability.
“I regret saying it. It was wrong, it was insensitive and I apologize.”
“We have a lot of work to do”
Tourette Syndrome Association of Australia president Mandy Maysey said she was angered by Albanese’s comments.
“The fact that he uses it casually and in such a casual way says a lot to the public, we have a lot of work to do,” she told Seven’s Sunrise programme.
“If people see Mr Albanese doing this in Parliament, then it will reverberate and people will already use it as a punchline or an insult.”
Greens disability spokesperson Jordon Steele-John said disabled people deserved better from the Prime Minister.
“If our Prime Minister could stop using disability as the subject of his jokes, that would be great,” he said on social media.
“Casual ableism is ableism.”
Opposition finance spokeswoman Jane Hume said while people speak poorly under pressure, making fun of disabled people is no laughing matter.
“It really gave an insight into the character of the Prime Minister, I think, and ironically, in a week when this Parliament is going to vote on adopting a code of conduct for our own behavior in Parliament,” she said. told Seven’s Sunrise programme.
“I hope the Prime Minister will think about it.”
