Anthony Albanese is under more heavy fire after he issued a terse one-word answer to a question about child sexual abuse survivor and former Australian of the Year Grace Tame.
Albanese took part in a rapid-fire Q and A at the Future Victoria summit on Wednesday night, where he was asked to reply with one-word answers.
'I think it's 12 or 13 questions, one-word answers if possible. Let's go,' Herald Sun editor Sam Weir told Albanese onstage.
'I'll try,' the Prime Minister responded.
When asked to provide a description of Ms Tame, the 2021 Australian of the Year, Albanese replied: 'difficult'.
Tame hit back on Thursday morning when she reposted a message from sex abuse survivor and advocate Harrison James taking a brutal swipe at Albanese.
'Difficult is the misogynist's code for a woman who won't comply. History tends to call her 'courageous,' Mr James captioned a photo with Tame.
He added: 'Love you Grace Tame. Thank you for refusing to be anything but brave.'
When asked to provide a description of Ms Tame, the 2021 Australian of the Year, Anthony Albanese replied: 'difficult'
Greens leader Larissa Waters led the barrage of backlash to Albanese's comment.
'Labelling women as difficult won't silence us. It won't stop us speaking truth to power. Next time try 'unbreakable' or 'warrior' or 'fierce' Prime Minister,' she said.
Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young added. 'Some of my best friends are 'difficult' women….(OK, all of them, and I love them for it!)'
Everyday Aussies were just as outraged.
'Couldn’t say inspiring, or courageous, or powerful or ‘great’ …,' one wrote.
“Grace Tame is so courageous and tenacious. This is so disappointing from our PM,” said another.
It was just one of several answers Albanese came under fire for.
Tame on Thursday morning reposted a message from sex abuse survivor and advocate Harrison James to her Instagram Story - taking a swipe at Albanese
