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ABC radio broadcaster Charlie Pickering has described as “problematic” the ABC’s decision to appoint Grace Tame as a podcast host.
Pickering’s criticism of the national broadcaster – and his employer – came as the Australian Jewish Association also slammed the ABC’s appointment of Tame to host a four-part podcast on autism.
The role fronting the podcast, titled Autistic AF with Grace Tame, comes just months after Tame was widely criticised for making controversial comments at pro-Palestinian rallies.
The first episode of the podcast, in which the controversial former Australian of the year shares her experience of living with autism, was released on Tuesday via the ABC’s Ladies, We Need To Talk banner. A press blurb from the ABC says the show promises to “explores what life is like for autistic women and gender-diverse people”.
Tame, an advocate for survivors of sexual abuse, would no doubt be delighted to get the opportunity with the ABC, having told a No to Violence conference in March that she had lost all her paid public speaking for the year due to what she described as an “ongoing national smear campaign” against her after she led chants to “globalise the intifada” at a rally protesting the visit of Israeli President Isaac Herzog in Sydney in February.
Protesters criticised Herzog’s visit to Australia, condemning Israel’s long military campaign in Gaza, which the Gaza health ministry says has killed more than 70,000 people, in response to the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks in Israel.
Intifada is an Arabic term that translates loosely as “uprising” or “shaking off”. Some critics of its use say it celebrates violence and terrorism against Israel and its citizens. Queensland has moved to outlaw the chant, and NSW has vowed to follow.
While Tame’s podcast is focused on autism rather than politics and current affairs, the ABC’s appointment of her drew swift criticism from Australian Jewish Association chief executive Robert Gregory.
“At first, I thought the ABC announcement was a joke. I simply could not believe that Australia’s public broadcaster could be so tone-deaf,” Gregory said. “The question Australians should be asking is simple: with so many talented and respected people available, why did the ABC choose Grace Tame?”
Meanwhile, ABC Drive host Pickering entered the fray when he emerged from the ABC studios in Melbourne on Tuesday to speak with a group protesting the ABC’s perceived political bias, and during an interview with serial right-wing agitator Avi Yemini when he voiced his concern about Tame’s appointment.
“I do actually think it is problematic.” Pickering said. “That is my personal opinion, and I think … as a Jewish Australian there is a complete misunderstanding of a lot of the words that are said and what the true meaning of them are, and a lot of people are using words and phrases that have meaning well beyond what they think they do.
“I think you could argue a lot of people that jump on protest bandwagons are ignorant a lot of the time.”
Asked if he thought Tame was ignorant, Pickering said: “I would not say that.”
Pickering took over from Ali Moore as Drive host in Melbourne only a day earlier, after Moore stepped down last week after a 40-year media career.
Contacted by CBD, the ABC stood by its decision to work with Tame.
“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 said.
“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.
“The ABC rejects the views made by Grace Tame about 7 October.”
Liberal communications spokeswoman Sarah Henderson said ABC managing director Hugh Marks must explain the decision to appointment Tame.
“Mr Marks should also disclose what, if any, restrictions have been placed on Ms Tame to ensure she refrains from using this podcast as a platform for anti-Israel activism or does not otherwise engage in conduct which brings the ABC into disrepute,” she said.
Tame’s management was contacted for comment.
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Fiona Byrne is the CBD columnist for The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald.Connect via email.From our partners
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