Anthony Albanese accused of “mocking” people with disabilities after Tourette gaffe

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has been accused of “mocking” people with disabilities over his gaffe questioning whether shadow treasurer Angus Taylor had Tourette syndrome during a heated debate in parliament.

The comments have been widely condemned by the Opposition, and a disability advocate and mum of three children with the disorder, who said she was “disgusted” by the Prime Minister’s comments.

Mr Albanese made the dig during question time on Tuesday while answering a question on whether Labor would move to tax owner-occupied family homes.

Facing interjections from Mr Taylor who was repeatedly saying: “Rule it out,” Mr Albanese directed his attention at the Hume MP.

“This nonsense that they carry on with … Have you got Tourette’s or something?” said Mr Albanese, drawing laughter from some in the chamber.

“You just sit there, babble babble babble.”

While Mr Albanese withdrew his comments, his remarks were immediately criticised by the Opposition and cross bench.

“I withdraw Mr Speaker. I withdraw. I withdraw. I withdraw and apologise,” he said.

Tourette Syndrome Association of Australia president Mandy Maysey, who is also the mum of three children with the disorder, said she was “disgusted” by the prime minister’s comments.

“The fact that it came so easy to him, to use Tourette’s as an insult is really quite upsetting and insulting,” she said.

“People with Tourette’s are trying to navigate life with what is constant ridicule – people stare, and you’re being used as the butt of jokes, and the Prime Minister thought it was OK to ridicule people with Tourette’s by using it as an insult.”

Ms Maysey said Mr Albanese should sit down with herself and members of the community, who she said deserved an apology.

“This is the person who is supposed to represent Australia on the world stage and it feels like he doesn’t have our back,” she said.

“If we can have people in power using disability as the butt of a joke, it shows how much needs to be done to improve the lives of people with Tourette syndrome”.

Coalition health spokeswoman Anne Ruston said Mr Albanese should be “condemned” and demanded he immediately apologise.

“Mocking a disability is no laughing matter. For the prime minister to do so is not only reprehensible, but it sends a concerning message to the entire disability community,” she said.

“Australians living with Tourette’s deserve the Prime Minister’s respect not his ridicule.

“The Prime Minister must immediately apologise to all Australians living with Tourette syndrome and the entire disability community for his insensitive and insulting comments.”

Greens Senator Jordon Steele-John, who lives with cerebral palsy, said Mr Albanese’s comments were ableist.

“If our PM could stop using disability as the butt of his jokes that would be great. Casual ableism is still ableism,” he shared on X.

“Disabled people deserve better and they deserve an apology.”