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Australia’s prime minister has apologised for making a “hurtful” comment in parliament, after he mocked opposition lawmakers by asking them if they had Tourette’s syndrome. <\/p>\n
The remark – which was quickly withdrawn – has angered disability advocates and been labelled “ableist” and “despicable” by MPs across the political spectrum. <\/p>\n
Late on Tuesday, Anthony Albanese returned to the chamber to ask for forgiveness from Australians living with the disorder. <\/p>\n
“I regret saying it. It was wrong. It was insensitive and I apologise,” he said in his address.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Albanese made the taunt after facing interjections from frontbenchers, including shadow treasurer Angus Taylor, during a speech on tax changes. <\/p>\n
“Have you got Tourette’s or something? You know, you just sit there, babble, babble, babble,” he said, responding to the interruptions. <\/p>\n
Tourette’s syndrome is a condition that causes people to make involuntary movements or sounds, called tics. <\/p>\n
The President of the Tourette Syndrome Association of Australia said Albanese’s comment demonstrated the need to increase awareness about the disorder. <\/p>\n
“For him to just flippantly use it in such an offhanded manner speaks volumes… we have a lot of work to do,” Mandy Maysey told Seven News.<\/p>\n
“If people see Albanese doing that in parliament, then it will trickle down, and people already use it as a punchline or an insult,” she added. <\/p>\n
The Australian Greens disability spokesman Jordon Steele-John, who has cerebral palsy, criticised Albanese for “using disability as the butt of his jokes” – saying that “casual ableism is still ableism”.<\/p>\n
Opposition health spokeswoman Anne Ruston had earlier called the taunt “despicable” and demanded the PM apologise to the “entire Tourette’s community”.<\/p>\n
“Mocking a disability is no laughing matter,” she wrote on X.<\/p>\n
Research estimates one in every 100 school-aged children may have Tourette’s syndrome in Australia and that roughly 1-2% live with the disorder in the UK. <\/p>\n
Tourette’s syndrome is a genetic inherited neurological condition, which means it can be passed on from birth parents to their children.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n