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

The Prime Minister has apologised after being slammed for using Tourette syndrome to mock shadow treasurer Angus Taylor during question time.

The Prime Minister has apologised for his “unkind and hurtful” reference to Tourette syndrome to mock shadow treasurer Angus Taylor during question time.

Anthony Albanese has been accused of “mocking” people with disabilities over the gaffe.

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 comment.

Mr Albanese immediately withdrew the comment, but returned to the House later on Tuesday to make an apology.

“Today in Question Time, I made comments that were unkind and hurtful,” he told the House.

“I knew it was wrong as soon as I made the comment.

“I apologised and I withdrew as soon as I said it, but it shouldn’t have happened and

I also want to apologise to all Australians who suffer from this disability.

“I regret saying it. It was wrong. It was insensitive. And I apologise.”

Prime Minister Albanese has been criticised for his jibe questioning whether Liberal MP Angus Hume had Tourette syndrome. Picture: APH

Tourette syndrome is a neurological disorder, on the specutrum of conditions known as tic disorders.

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.

Mandy Maysey, who is the mum of three children with Tourette's Syndrome said she was "disgusted" by the Prime Minister's comments. Picture: Supplied

“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 apologise.

Opposition health spokeswoman Anne Ruston called on the Prime Minister to apologise immediately for the gaffe. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman

Greens Senator Jordon Steele-John slammed the Prime Minister for using disability for the butt of a joke. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman

“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.”

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