An ABC star has labelled former Australian of the Year Grace Tame's new podcast with the public broadcaster 'problematic'. Ms Tame premiered a new podcast with the ABC on Tuesday, months after she came under fire for her involvement in a pro-Palestine protest where she led a 'globalise the intifada' chant.
Pickering's Concerns
ABC star Charlie Pickering, host of The Weekly, told political YouTuber Avi Yemini he thought the move was 'problematic'. 'I do actually think it's problematic, that's my personal opinion,' he said beside an Iranian rally. 'As a Jewish Australian there is a complete misunderstanding of a lot of the words that are said and what the true meanings of them are. And a lot of people are using words and phrases that have meaning well beyond what they think they do.'
Mr Pickering clarified he was not talking about the particular pro-Palestine protest or Grace Tame. He said some people on 'protest bandwagons' were ignorant to the true meanings of some protest slogans.
New Podcast Details
Ms Tame's new taxpayer-funded series, Autistic AF with Grace Tame, is published as part of the broadcaster's We Need To Talk collection. The podcast focuses on autism in women and gender-diverse people, with Tame discussing her own experiences navigating daily life, including difficulties with sensory challenges and social interactions.
Jewish Community Reaction
Australian Jewish Association chief executive Robert Gregory said he initially believed the announcement was satire. 'I simply could not believe that Australia's public broadcaster could be so tone-deaf,' he said in a statement released on social media. 'The question Australians should be asking is simple: with so many talented and respected people available, why did the ABC choose Grace Tame? This decision demonstrates a profound lack of judgment and a disregard for the concerns of many Australians, particularly within the Jewish community. It reinforces the growing perception that ABC management is increasingly out of touch with the communities it is supposed to serve.'
Gregory believes the broadcaster signed off on the podcast because they wanted outrage. 'ABC would have been aware of the distress this decision would cause to many Australians, and it therefore seems designed to generate controversy,' he said.
Previous Controversies
The announcement comes after Tame faced calls to be stripped of her Australian of the Year award after she chanted 'globalise the intifada' – a chant which the NSW Premier labelled 'hateful, violent rhetoric'. In February, she led a chant of 'From Gadigal to Gaza, globalise the intifada' at an anti-Israel protest.
The American Jewish Committee has said the slogan is frequently interpreted as encouraging violence. 'The phrase is often understood by those who are saying and hearing it as encouraging violence against Israel, Jews and institutions supporting Israel,' the organisation states. 'While the intent of the person saying this phrase may be different, the impact on the Jewish community remains the same.'
Speaking to Sky News at the time, Shadow Education Minister Julian Leeser urged authorities to consider whether Tame should face legal consequences. NSW Premier Chris Minns announced his intention to outlaw cries for globalisation of 'the intifada', while NSW Opposition Leader Kellie Sloane also wondered if the phrase could be 'interpreted as an incitement of violence' under existing law.
When asked if she should be stripped of her award, One Nation MP Barnaby Joyce said: 'Yes, 100 per cent. You have a responsibility when given an honour by the Australian people to conduct yourself in a way that inspires the harmonious nature of Australia.'
The following month, Tame faced more criticism from Jewish groups after claiming reports of rape perpetrated by Hamas following October 7 was 'propaganda'. Tame joined ABC Radio Sydney's Hamish Macdonald and was asked if she had condemned Hamas' sexual violence against Israeli women after the October 7 attacks. Freed Israeli hostages have detailed the horrific sexual abuse they suffered at the hands of Jihadi terrorists, while the UN has found there was reasonable grounds to believe gang rape and sexual violence occurred during and after the attacks.
However, Tame dismissed the question. 'I'm not going to sink to the level of … of entertaining any kind of propaganda, Hamish. Let's not do that,' Tame said at the time. When Macdonald asked what part of the question constituted propaganda, Tame replied: 'Those things have been debunked. Violence is happening on both sides, but this is not a fair fight. We're not talking about two equal cohorts, even marginally.'
Impact on Career
Tame has previously claimed her public stance on the Israel-Hamas conflict had affected her ability to secure work. Speaking at a No to Violence conference in Hobart earlier this year, she said the fallout had cost her future speaking engagements. 'This is my last presentation for the year… due to an ongoing national smear campaign,' she said at the time. 'I have lost all my speaking for the foreseeable future. So many cowardly others capitulated. I think this will be a blip, and I'm tough; they can't outrun me, literally.'
The ABC podcast marks Tame's highest-profile media role since those controversies. The podcast launch also follows the closure of the Grace Tame Foundation earlier this year. The organisation, established in 2021 following her Australian of the Year award, cited funding challenges when announcing it would cease operations.
ABC's Defence
The ABC has defended the podcast. 'Grace Tame is a high-profile public figure and former Australian of the Year who has spoken openly about her experience as an autistic woman and has advocated on neurodivergent issues,' a spokesperson told SkyNews.com.au. 'The ABC has been working with Ms Tame on this series since late 2025. The purpose of this series is to explore the diversity of lived experience among women and gender diverse people with autism in Australia and includes a range of contributors.'
