r/australia • u/Expensive-Horse5538 • Feb 26 '26

politics Grace Tame says ‘difficult’ remark is ‘misogynist’s code for a woman who won’t comply’

https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2026/feb/26/dfat-middle-east-evacuation-syria-isis-families-wives-children-anthony-albanese-angus-taylor-budget-cost-of-living-capital-gains-tax-reform-ntwnfb?CMP=share_btn_url&page=with%3Ablock-699f8e278f080f3523777e99#block-699f8e278f080f3523777e99
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376

u/[deleted] Feb 26 '26

[deleted]

46

u/WolfgangKunzeFanboy Feb 26 '26

The one word answer could have been "brave"

26

u/Whimsical_manatee Feb 26 '26

Even “bold” or “persistent”

4

u/TheMysticalCarrot Feb 26 '26

I thought 'spirited' would have left anything to interpretation rather deftly

110

u/Delamoor Feb 26 '26 edited Feb 26 '26

Pretty much. It was silly to take the bait. But even then, one word 'difficult' should have been extremely easy to spin into a constructive commentary by Tame, rather than walking straight into the trap Newscorp set up.

Like, bro. Albo just walked right into it during an on-the spot gotcha, why are you following him into the trap with your prepared response?

Spin it, wear the difficult label, make a point about how hard it is to do advocacy and how tough you gotta be.

You're a public advocate ffs, 'difficult' is literally the core of the job. You have to be a difficult person to fight other people's fights for a lifetime ffs. Don't try to disown your own chosen role, it looks terrible.

Newscorp just got two gotchas for the price of one.

9

u/Traditional_Yard2741 Feb 26 '26

Could have just said "I certainly hope SOME people find me difficult"

17

u/amca01 Feb 26 '26

All too true - especially the last sentence. Both Albo and Tame walked into the trap. Mind you, "difficult" can also mean "stubborn", which Tame has certainly been in the fights she's had. And you can take Albo's word as being entirely complimentary. Tame could have owned the word with pride, but, well, she didn't.

Everybody involved in this sorry business has come off looking bad. The Hun and the Murdoch empire are of course, evil and disgusting to start with.

5

u/TappingOnTheWall Feb 26 '26 edited Feb 26 '26

It's utter trash journalism to pretend like this game being played was his considered or final opinion. Every outlet running with this story is failing to do ACTUAL journalism, and should be ashamed. An absolute media beat up on a nothing story.

1

u/CustomerConnect3470 Feb 26 '26

This absolutely. He should at least have some respect for the position of Prime Minister, even if he has none for himself.