Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has publicly apologized for an insensitive remark he made in parliament, comparing some opponents with having Tourette’s syndrome.
He made the comment as a reaction to interjections from shadow treasurer Angus Taylor during his discussion of the changes to tax. The remarks have earned huge criticism among disability advocates and politicians from various parties. Less than a minute later, Albanese withdrew the comment and returned to parliament to tender an apology, regretting and admitting it was wrong and hurtful.
The comment has been widely condemned, including by Australian Greens Senator Jordon Steele-John, who has cerebral palsy, saying Albanese was perpetuating “casual ableism” by using a disability as the punchline of a joke. Disability advocates, including the President of the Tourette Syndrome Association of Australia, are calling for far greater awareness and education about the neurological disorder that causes involuntary movements or sounds, commonly termed tics. It will encourage such damaging stereotypes.
Albanese’ apology was precipitated by such concerns as he recognized the harm that such comments may bring to both other lives with Tourette’s syndrome and disability at large. Such an apology called for but reminds us of the need for combating ableism in public rhetoric.