PM apologises for Tourette syndrome comment opposition labelled ...
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has apologised for a comment in parliament that his political opponents have labelled ableist and "absolutely despicable".
During question time on Tuesday, the Labor leader responded to interruptions from shadow treasurer Angus Taylor by asking "have you got Tourette's or something?".
He quickly withdrew and apologised but it wasn't until hours later at night that he addressed a mostly empty House of Representatives to beg forgiveness from Australians with Tourette syndrome.
The prime minister described his early comments as "unkind and hurtful".
"I knew it was wrong as soon as I made the comment, I apologised and I withdrew as soon as I said it, but it shouldn't have happened," he said.
"And I also want to apologise to all Australians who suffer from this disability.
"I regret saying it was wrong. There was insensitive, and I apologise."
Tourette syndrome is a neurological disorder characterised by involuntary tics and repetitive vocalisations.
Victoria's Better Health portal notes it particularly affects children and young adults and can be associated with sleeping problems, poor academic performance and low self-esteem.
"Most children with Tourette syndrome will have normal intellectual development, but some may have learning difficulties," the government agency notes.
"The social stigma is particularly hard to bear, since people often don't believe that the tics and repetitive vocalisations, particularly swearing, are involuntary."
Opposition Health spokeswoman Anne Ruston had earlier called for an apology to the "entire Tourette's community" saying they deserved his respect, not ridicule.
"Mocking a disability is no laughing matter," she said, on X.
"This is absolutely despicable behaviour from Anthony Albanese."
Greens Senator Jordan Steele-John, who uses a wheelchair, also called for an apology, saying disabled people deserved better.
"If our PM could stop using disability as the butt of his jokes that would be great," he said, on X.
"Casual ableism is still ableism."
Albanese had been speaking about housing policy when he made the earlier comment.
"This nonsense that they carry on with the idea that we're – have you got Tourette's or something?" he said.
"You just sit there, babble, babble, babble.
"I withdraw, Mr Speaker. I withdraw. I withdraw and apologise.
"Mr Speaker, they sit there and they interject, non stop. The truth is that we regard, as does every Australian, the family home as being sacrosanct."
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