PM denies sanctioning ‘threatening’ phone call to Grace Tame

The survivor and advocate dropped the bombshell during her National Press Club appearance, claiming she was warned by an unnamed official not to say anything “damning” about the Prime Minister when the baton for Australian of the Year was handed over.  

“You’re an influential person. He’ll have a fear…with an election coming soon,” she claims the person said.

When asked if she was willing to name the individual or the organisation, Ms Tame refused.

Women’s Safety Minister Anne Ruston labelled it a “completely unacceptable” thing for a publicly funded organisation to do and said the allegation would be investigated. 

The Prime Minister’s office denied any involvement.

“Those comments were not made on behalf of the PM or PMO or with their knowledge,” a statement read.

It was a highly anticipated speech from Grace Tame and Brittany Higgins and neither woman spared the Prime Minister from their fury at what they see is continued inaction.

Minister Ruston defended the Coalition’s response, saying “I don’t think there’s been a Prime Minister or a government that’s done more to demonstrate it’s absolutely committed to women’s safety.”