Anthony Albanese issues a grovelling apology after shocking six-word Tourette’s comment on the floor of Parliament

The Prime Minister has apologized for his “unkind and hurtful” reference to Tourette syndrome to mock Shadow Treasurer Angus Taylor during Question Time.

Anthony Albanese has been accused of ‘mocking’ people with disabilities over the blunder in which he questioned whether Mr Taylor had the disorder while continuing to interrupt him.

The comments have been widely condemned by the opposition and a disability advocate and mother of three children with the disorder, who said she was “disgusted” by the comment.

Albanese immediately retracted the comment, but returned to the House later on Tuesday to apologize.

“Today in Question Time I made comments that were unkind and hurtful,” he told the House.

‘I knew it was wrong as soon as I made the comment.

“I apologized and I withdrew as soon as I said it, but it shouldn’t have happened and I would also like to apologize to all Australians who suffer from this disability.

‘I’m sorry I said it. It was wrong. It was insensitive. And I apologize.”

Tourette syndrome is a neurological disorder that belongs to the spectrum of conditions known as tic disorders.

Mr Albanese made a comment during Question Time on Tuesday about whether Labor would move into taxable family homes.

Faced with interjections from Mr Taylor, who repeatedly said: ‘Rule it out’, Mr Albanese turned his attention to the Hume MP.

“That nonsense they go on with… Do you have Tourette’s or something?” Mr. Albanese said, and some in the room laughed.

‘Just sit there, chat chat chat.’

While Mr Albanese withdrew his comments, his comments were immediately criticized by the opposition and the cross-bench.

“I withdraw Mr Speaker. I withdraw. I withdraw. “I withdraw and apologize,” he said.

Mandy Maysey, president of the Tourette Syndrome Association of Australia, who has three children with the condition, told Daily Mail Australia she was “disgusted” by the Prime Minister’s comments.

Mandy Maysey, mother of three children with Tourette’s syndrome, said she was ‘disgusted’ by the Prime Minister’s comments. Image: supplied

“The fact that it was so easy for him to use Tourette’s as an insult is really quite disturbing and insulting,” she said.

‘People with Tourette’s try to live their lives in constant ridicule – people stare, and you are used as the butt of jokes, and the Prime Minister thought it was okay to make fun of people with Tourette’s by taking it as an insult to use. ‘

Ms Maysey said Mr Albanese needed to sit down with himself and community members, who she said deserved an apology.

“This is the person who should represent Australia on the world stage and it feels like he doesn’t have our backs,” she said.

‘If we can get people into power who use their disability as the butt of a joke, it shows how much needs to be done to improve the lives of people with Tourette’s syndrome.’

Coalition health spokeswoman Anne Ruston said Albanese should be “condemned” and demanded he apologize.

Opposition health spokesperson Anne Ruston called on the Prime Minister to immediately apologize for the blunder. Photo: NewsWire / Martin Ollman

Greens senator Jordon Steele-John, who has cerebral palsy, slammed the Prime Minister for using his disability as a joke. Photo: NewsWire / Martin Ollman

‘Mocking a disability is no laughing matter. For the Prime Minister to do this is not only reprehensible but sends a worrying message to the entire disability community,” she said.

“Australians living with Tourette’s disease deserve the Prime Minister’s respect, not his ridicule.

“The Prime Minister must immediately apologize to all Australians living with Tourette Syndrome and the entire disability community for his insensitive and offensive comments.”

Greens senator Jordon Steele-John, who suffers from cerebral palsy, said Mr Albanese’s comments were “ableistic”.

“If our Prime Minister could stop using disability as the butt of his jokes, that would be great. Accidental ability is still ability,” he wrote on X.

“People with disabilities deserve better and deserve an apology.”