ABC boss defends decision to give Grace Tame a taxpayer-funded job – despite her comments about October 7
ABC managing director Hugh Marks has publicly defended the broadcaster’s decision to commission Grace Tame for a new taxpayer-funded podcast.
The new series, Autistic AF, premiered on the ABC last week, sparking outrage from the Jewish community given Tame’s controversial comments about Israel.
Speaking on Radio National Breakfast on Tuesday, Marks said Tame had been confirmed as the podcast’s host before controversy over her comments about Israel emerged.
‘When we engaged for the project, that was actually some time ago, so it was before those particular comments that were made, and it was certainly also before, I think, the much-quoted interview that she did with Hamish Macdonald and Sydney Mornings were also made,’ Marks said.
‘Obviously, I understand why people feel Grace shouldn’t have a program on the ABC, given the controversy that’s reported and associated with many of her comments.
‘But I think if you look at the program itself, it’s a great podcast that she’s done a great job on, a topic that I’m sure will be of real interest and real importance to many Australians who suffer from those conditions, and particularly young Australians and young Australian women.’
Marks also addressed the controversy sparked by ABC presenter Charlie Pickering, who said he personally viewed Tame’s appointment as problematic.
‘We’ve looked at Charlie’s comments, I think he did express that they were his own view, they weren’t represented at the ABC.’
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Pickering converted to Judaism before marrying his Jewish-American wife, Sarah Krasnostein.
‘I do actually think it’s problematic – that’s my personal opinion,’ Pickering said – when asked about Tame’s comments by Rebel News.
‘And as you would understand, and as a Jewish Australian, there is a complete misunderstanding about a lot of words that were said and the true meaning of them.
‘People are using words and phrases that have meaning well beyond they think they do.’
Alex Ryvchin, Executive Officer of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, said the ABC employing Tame sends the wrong message.
‘It seems the ABC has determined that Grace Tame is fit for employment at public expense after screaming chants widely interpreted as calling for global attacks on Jews and a radio interview in which she doubled down on her comments questioning the widespread pack rape and sexual torture committed by Hamas, which the terrorists themselves never denied.
‘Everyone deserves a second chance but Tame has shown no remorse or regret whatsoever.
‘The effect of this is to legitimise her violent views and sends a message that her obscene conduct carries no consequences and even brings public contracts.’
Tame’s new role comes just months after she led a chant to ‘globalise the intifada’ – interpreted by some as a call for Palestinian resistance against Israel and by others as inciting violence against Jews.
She also faced backlash for an interview with ABC Sydney Mornings host Hamish Macdonald in March.