‘It happens everywhere’: Grace Tame says Parliament rape allegations not surprising
Australian of the Year Grace Tame says allegations of rapes involving political figures are not surprising to her, as the culture that allows sexual assaults is widespread.
Speaking at the National Press Club on Wednesday, Ms Tame responded to questions about how two prominent rape allegations had been made against political figures just weeks after she was named Australian of the Year for campaigning for victims of sexual assault.
Australian of the Year Grace Tame during her address to the National Press Club.Credit:Alex Ellinghausen
“It’s not surprising to me at all. Coverup culture, the abuse of power, is not unique to Parliament,” she said.
“It’s not necessarily individual cases, it’s the issue itself that is going to inspire me to do this work. I was doing this work before it dominated the national stage.
“It is heightened right now because it’s happening in the centre of our country in Parliament but like I said it’s not unique to Parliament. It happens everywhere.”
In her speech, Ms Tame urged Australians to learn from survivors and called for governments to make significant changes.
“One voice, your voice, and our collective voices can make a difference. We are on the precipice of a revolution whose call to action needs to be heard loud and clear,” she said.
Ms Tame was named the 2021 Australian of the Year in January, after her work in helping overturn Tasmanian laws that prevented her from speaking about a sexual assault as a teenager.
Lisa Visentin is a federal political reporter at The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, covering education and communications.