Former Australian of the Year Grace Tame responds to Anthony Albanese's 'difficult life' apology

Former Australian of the Year Grace Tame has criticised Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's qualified apology after he labelled her difficult, saying "What a patronising cop out from a total coward."

"Straight from the Scott playbook," she commented on Instagram, comparing Mr Albanese to former prime minister Scott Morrison.

"I'll take the badge of honour, though. That, and being called 'absolutely outrageous' by the Israeli defence minister. Must be doing something right."

Mr Albanese offered an attempted apology earlier today after labelling the 2021 Australian of the Year and child sexual abuse survivor as "difficult" at an event in Melbourne.

He made the comment when asked to give a one-word response to a rapid-fire list of people and news topics as part of a word association game at the Future Victoria conference on Wednesday, presented by the Herald Sun newspaper and the Victorian Chamber of Commerce.

In his answers, broadcast on Sky News, the prime minister also called Pauline Hanson "divisive", Donald Trump "president", former prince Andrew a "grub", and One Nation voters "frustrated", while passing on Barnaby Joyce.

Addressing criticism over his comment, Mr Albanese apologised if his labelling of Ms Tame as "difficult" was misinterpreted, saying he was referring to her "difficult life".

"If there was any misinterpretation, then I certainly apologise," Mr Albanese told reporters.

"She has had a difficult life and that was what I was referring to. What Grace Tame has done is turn that difficult experience that she had into being a strong advocate for others."

Mr Albanese also described Ms Tame as a "strong and powerful advocate", while adding he opposed her recent chanting of "Globalise the intifada" at a pro-Palestine rally.

"Now there are other issues, such as the language that Grace Tame used, that I disagree with, at the demonstration that was held in Sydney," he said.

"That's why it's impossible to describe people in one word."

In a separate post on Instagram, Ms Tame again drew comparisons between Mr Albanese and Mr Morrison.

"Both men, when called out for their behaviour towards me, have used 'she's had a difficult life' as a condescending justification," she posted.

"Get some new material boys!!!"

In another post, she wrote: "'Difficult is the misogynist's code for a woman who won't comply."

His one-word description of Ms Tame has attracted condemnation on social media, with some calling his comment "disappointing".

"Labelling women as difficult won't silence us," Greens leader Larissa Waters wrote.

Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young wrote: "Some of my best friends are 'difficult' women … (Ok, all of them, and I love them for it!)."

The outspoken advocate was dealt a blow this week when the former school teacher who sexually abused her, Nicolaas Ockert Bester, was deemed unfit to stand trial over "menacing" social media posts targeting her.

Ms Tame catapulted to national fame in 2021 when she was awarded Australian of the Year for her work advocating for child sexual abuse survivors.

At the time, she was highly critical of the Morrison government's response to allegations of sexual assault and a toxic workplace culture in parliament.

Footage of her frosty expression towards then-prime minister Scott Morrison during a meeting at the Lodge in 2022 went viral.

Mr Albanese, who was in opposition at the time, frequently highlighted their relationship, lauding Ms Tame as a "powerhouse".

However, the pair's relationship has been tested in recent years.

Ms Tame faced significant backlash and calls for her Australian of the Year title to be stripped earlier this month after leading chants of "from Gadigal to Gaza, globalise the intifada" at a pro-Palestine rally in Sydney.

Mr Albanese refused to condemn Ms Tame's actions at the protest, saying: "We need to not continually look for political opportunities."

The prime minister did, however, criticise Ms Tame for wearing a T-shirt with the slogan "F*** Murdoch" at an official reception for the 2025 Australian of the Year nominees, saying her clothing choice took away attention from "what the day should be about".

Ms Tame has been contacted for comment.