As part of annual pre-Australia Day traditions, the outgoing Australian of the Year must attend a handing-over ceremony at The Lodge and proceed to meet the next year’s recipient, all the while smiling and waving at hundreds of waiting cameras.

But on Tuesday, Grace Tame shocked the nation when she attended the event all “icy” and “stony-faced” as she met with Prime Minister Scott Morrison.

Outgoing Australian of the Year recipient Grace Tame met with PM Scott Morrison on Tuesday. Credit: NCA NewsWire/Gary Ramage.
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After Ms Tame’s arrival at The Lodge, she was met with a crowd of journalists covering for the event, who described her aura as “cold” and “unforgiving”.

Then she was met by Prime Minister Scott Morrison, along with his wife, to welcome her and her partner, Max, to the event. The prime minister’s greetings were answered by short and quick replies from Ms Tame, who seemed to be rather disinterested in making small talk.

When the prime minister extended his hand to congratulate her for her recent engagement, she shook his hands without meeting his gaze. On the other hand, when Jenny Morrison greeted her, she smiled back.

When the four of them posed for the press, Ms Tame went back to her sharp and expressionless facade, before entering the building with her fiance.

The photographs that came out of the event sparked thousands of heated arguments online, regarding whether the attitude Ms Tame displayed was appropriate or not.

Credit: Guardian Australia.​

According to Australian political journalist Peter van Onselen, Grace Tame’s behaviour was “immature” and “embarrassing for her”.

“She was ungracious, rude and childish, refusing to smile for the cameras, barely acknowledging [the prime minister’s] existence when she’s standing next to him,’’ he said.

“Just be a decent human being, that’s all,” he added. “If that wasn’t possible, why bother to attend at all?”

Aussie TV presenter Michael Tomalaris also said that her behaviour at the event was inappropriate and she should have stayed “classy”.

In a post on social media, one politician also took an aim towards Ms Tame’s behaviour.

“The important issues raised by last year's Australian of the Year must continue to be addressed by all of us,” said Queensland Liberal Senator James McGrath in a Facebook post.

“It is a pity her behaviour and attacks on our Prime Minister are so partisan, political and childish,” he added.

“If she didn't like being Australian of the Year she should hand back the honour.”

Grace Tame was among the guests welcomed to The Lodge on Tuesday, ahead of the Australian of the Year Awards in Canberra. Credit: NCA NewsWire/Gary Ramage.
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Grace Tame was acknowledged last year as the recipient of the prestigious Australian of the Year national award. She had spent the twelve months of her term bringing efforts and advocacy projects for survivors of sexual assault, as well as calling for changes on sexual assault laws in the country.

She was also known to be fiercely critical of Mr Morrison’s administration and their response to the alleged sexual assault cases and toxic workplace culture in federal parliament.

Many supporters, particularly women, rallied behind Grace Tame and came for her defence amidst the backlash.

Carrie Bickmore, co-host of The Project along with Peter van Onselen, engaged him regarding his column about Ms Tame.

“In the article, you spoke about how she acted like a child. You know when she should’ve been able to act like a child?” she asked her co-host.

“When she was a child. Only she was preyed upon by a man and lost part of her childhood.”

Sharna Bremner, the founder and director of End Rape on Campus Australia, also pointed out that what Ms Tame did was an act of activism on her part as an advocate of women’s rights.

“Grace Tame did what a good advocate should do. She didn’t play their game. She didn’t throw survivors under the bus to get or keep a seat at the table. She stood with survivors, not in her own self-interest,” she said.

“Because the change that we need won’t come from maintaining the status quo.”

Former Liberal MP Julia Banks took to Twitter to defend Ms Tame as well, saying: “Grace is the only person in this photo who lives her life with honesty, integrity, and empathy.”

“Grace’s courage – to speak truth to power and to call out abuse of power has earned her the enduring respect and trust of a nation.”

Even Labour leader Anthony Albanese can’t help but praise Ms Tame for standing up for herself during the event.

“Grace — you've inspired countless Australians and you've earned enormous respect.”

 

[Lindyloo]

I applaud young Grace for the fight she brings for hers and all female violence victims BUT you have been honoured with Australian of the year which has afforded you the additional prestige to further promote your cause during the last 12 months. This time last year you were handed this mantle with class and dignity and accepted it in kind. Now to act so ill mannered when handling the time with our Primes Minister is nothing less than disappointing.
you needed to suck it up for the short time needed to complete your final task as AOY and hand the title over to Dylan. Despite your personal feeling about Mr Morrison and his party views (as you see them) this event was not about you fighting for your cause but doing a duty as AOY. If you were not mature enough to act appropriately in the celebratory situation perhaps you should not have accepted the honour in the 1st place. It is a shame that all your hard work for such a very important cause will be tarnished by the way you acted that day.

VeeFar, so very well put!

 

[VeeFar]

VeeFar, so very well put!

Should also be a lesson well learnt by Grace, there is always someone with a camera ready to get you at the wrong moment possible.

 

[JuleenM]

I applaud young Grace for the fight she brings for hers and all female violence victims BUT you have been honoured with Australian of the year which has afforded you the additional prestige to further promote your cause during the last 12 months. This time last year you were handed this mantle with class and dignity and accepted it in kind. Now to act so ill mannered when handling the time with our Primes Minister is nothing less than disappointing.
you needed to suck it up for the short time needed to complete your final task as AOY and hand the title over to Dylan. Despite your personal feeling about Mr Morrison and his party views (as you see them) this event was not about you fighting for your cause but doing a duty as AOY. If you were not mature enough to act appropriately in the celebratory situation perhaps you should not have accepted the honour in the 1st place. It is a shame that all your hard work for such a very important cause will be tarnished by the way you acted that day.

Well said VeeFar

 

[Lindyloo]

Should also be a lesson well learnt by Grace, there is always someone with a camera ready to get you at the wrong moment possible.

caught out big time!

 

[Mark179356]

In my opinion, it was an appallingly bad mannered display of self centeredness and lack of maturity. She showed she thinks her opinion is more important than showing respect for the occasion and his office even if she does not personally like the man. Why did she bother attending? This year wasn't about her but she has made it so.

Lack of responsibility, doesn't hold a hose lies to foreign president's. they don't make this crap up. If they were put on KPI's they wouldn't get feed, and I know they lie I'm a veteran.