JENI O’DOWD: We are sick of ‘morally superior’ Grace Tame’s terrible behaviour

I am so sick of Grace Tame.

Sick of her provocation. Sick of her sweeping pronouncements on issues far removed from the advocacy that first earned her national respect.

And annoyed by the now-familiar claim that any criticism represents some kind of co-ordinated media conspiracy.

Tame’s latest outrageous comments show she has lost sight of the cause that first gave her moral authority.

Speaking to ABC Radio on Monday about the October 7 Hamas attacks in Israel, she suggested allegations of sexual violence were “debunked propaganda”.

I mean, seriously? Let’s just ignore the video evidence, the witness accounts and no less than Pramila Patten, the UN Special Representative of the Secretary General on Sexual Violence in Conflict.

Patten said: “There are reasonable grounds to believe that conflict-related sexual violence occurred, including rape and gang rape.”

Tame’s comments led Israel’s embassy in Australia to blast the former Australian of the Year, claiming she had “lost her moral compass”, telling her to watch the testimony and educate herself.

“When you find yourself denying documented sexual violence, turning victims into perpetrators, and drawing false moral equivalences just to fit an anti-Israel or anti-Jewish narrative, you’ve lost your moral compass,” the embassy posted on its social media.

“Blinded by self-righteous populism, this isn’t human rights activism. Watch the testimonies. Educate yourself.”

I couldn’t have said it better myself.

This is not about stopping opinions on the Israel–Palestine conflict. But you cannot build a public career on insisting that survivors must always be believed, only to appear to question others’ credibility for your own political line.

For many Australians, particularly women who once saw Tame as a fearless advocate on sexual abuse, the contradiction is confronting.

Her comments followed in the now infamous pro-Palestine rally in Sydney last month, where she led chants of “globalise the intifada”.

To some, it was activism. To many others, it was reckless language that inflamed tensions within an already anxious multicultural community.

Public reaction was swift, and there were calls to strip Tame of her Australian of the Year honour.

She later blamed a “smear campaign” for the cancellation of speaking engagements, which shows she has no idea how much she has strayed from her base and the growing public criticism.

The media is not conspiring against Grace Tame. It is doing what it always does: reporting controversy, amplifying public debate and scrutinising those who hold influence.

When you build a full-time career as a professional activist and speaker after being named Australian of the Year, every word you say is going to be scrutinised.

Like many, I seemed to have missed the memo that Grace Tame, a former sales assistant and yoga teacher, is not only a survivor advocate but a commentator on the world’s most complex geopolitical conflicts.

That shift would be less striking if she had the depth of expertise or a more measured tone. But she doesn’t.

Like many women, I do want to like her. But she is so hard to like. Her legacy deserves respect, but surely public honours should represent national values?

Removing the Australian of the Year honour would not erase Tame’s past contribution. But it would show that public recognition comes with ongoing responsibility. Ask anyone in the spotlight, and they will tell you that.

Grace Tame is free to speak, protest and campaign as much as she likes. She is free to make her ridiculous and naive comments.

But she should not do it anymore under the banner of a former Australian of the Year, which should reflect the very best of our nation, not the worst.