- Anthony Albanese sarcastically asked an MP if he had Tourette’s
- He was answering a question in parliament about housing tax
Anthony Albanese has caused a stir by sarcastically asking a Coalition minister: ‘Do you have Tourette’s or something?’ while answering a question about tax policy, a mother of three with the syndrome is blowing up the Prime Minister.
The Prime Minister made the comment during Question Time on Tuesday, after NSW MP Angus Taylor asked whether Labor would rule out changes to the way owner-occupied homes are taxed.
Mr Albanese laughed and said the opposition’s continued questions about property tax changes were a “fishing expedition”.
‘Apparently we’re going after the parental home now. The family house. We’re going after the family home,” he shouted, as members from opposite sides began shouting at each other.
“We have all our tax policies, and all the policies they want to talk about are things that we don’t do… This nonsense they continue to do.”
Then he stopped and looked at Mr. Taylor, who sang, “Rule it out, rule it out.”
Mr. Albanese asked, “Do you have Tourette’s or something?” You know you’re just sitting there babbling, babbling, babbling.”
There were audible gasps from all sides of the hall and from the crowded public galleries.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is pictured during Question Time on Tuesday
The Prime Minister appeared to regret his comment and said: “I withdraw Mr. Speaker. I withdraw. I withdraw. I withdraw and apologize.”
Mandy Maysey, mother of three children with the neurological condition and president of Australia’s Tourette’s Syndrome Association, told Daily Mail Australia: “It’s terrible to have people in power who use TS (Tourette’s Syndrome) as an insult.”
‘Living with TS is a daily struggle and people with TS are tired from all the criticism they take on a daily basis.
“I’m shocked and disgusted that anyone would use it as a put-down. As Prime Minister he should be ashamed of himself.’
The association also released its own statement, saying it was “incredibly disappointed and frustrated by Mr. Albanese’s flippant attitude in using Tourette syndrome as oppression.”
Mandy Maysey is pictured with two of her three children, all of whom have Tourette’s syndrome
‘Using Tourette Syndrome in a derogatory way is offensive to the 1 in 100 Australians with Tourette Syndrome and highlights the daily struggle with prejudice and ridicule that people with TS live with.’
The association also invited Mr Albanese to meet with community members “to really get a sense of what Tourette syndrome is really like, away from the stereotypes and negativity.”
Tourette’s syndrome is a neurodevelopmental disorder that can manifest as vocal or motor tics with symptoms ranging from mild to disabling and life-altering, depending on the patient.
