Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce has thrown his support behind Jenny Morrison after she expressed her disappointment in former Australian of the Year Grace Tame and her manners.
During an interview with Karl Stefanovic for 60 Minutes, Prime Minister Scott Morrison and his wife were asked about the Australia Day event at the Lodge, where photographs of a frosty and awkward exchange with Ms Tame went viral.
Mrs Morrison told Stefanovic she wished Ms Tame had shown “manners and respect”.
“I just found it a little bit disappointing, because we were welcoming her in our home,” Mrs Morrison said.
“I just wish the focus had been on all the incredible people coming in. I respect people that want to change things, stand up for their beliefs and are strong, but I still think there are manners and respect.”
Mr Joyce backed Mrs Morrison on Monday morning.
“Jenny can say it but we can’t, (but) I agree with Jenny I have to say,” Mr Joyce told Seven.
“I just think if you are going to see the Prime Minister, you respect the office if nothing else.
“You understand it is a great honour to be there. The Prime Minister does not own the lodge, he holds the office – respect the xjmtzywoffice.
“And if you turn up, you know you’re doing it in front of the Australian people and you act with dignity and walk in, and you can still have your strong political views, you are absolutely entitled to them and entitled to voice them, but I do not think people roll with the theatrics.”
During the interview, Mrs Morrison said she wanted the couple’s two daughters, Lily and Abbey to grow up “fierce”.
“I want my daughters to be strong, independent, amazing people. And I think they can still do that and be polite and have manners and show kindness to other people,” she said.
While Ms Tame is yet to comment on Mrs Morrison’s comments, there has been an outpouring of support for her.
Contributing editor to Women’s Agenda Georgie Dent said she would “be delighted if my daughters have one 100th of Grace Tame’s dignity”.
“She rejected the deeply ingrained and toxic expectation on women to smile even when they’re deeply uncomfortable, and she acted with dignity,” Ms Dent said.
After the Australia Day event, Ms Tame took to Twitter to explain her thoughts on the moment.
“The survival of abuse culture is dependent on submissive smiles and self-defeating surrenders,” she said last month.
“It is dependent on hypocrisy. My past is only relevant to the extent that I have seen – in fact I have worn – the consequences of civility for the sake of civility.”
Mr Morrison did not extend upon his wife’s comments during the interview, but had previously addressed the exchange, saying he always greets guests “with a smile” when anyone enters his home.
