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Bendigo IWD Event With Grace Tame to Proceed Despite AJA Push to Cancel

Organisers say they invited the former Australian of the Year for her work on legal reform for survivors of abuse.

Overview

  • Be. Bendigo confirmed the February 27 International Women’s Day morning tea will go ahead at the All Seasons Resort with Grace Tame as guest speaker.
  • The Australian Jewish Association wrote to Be. Bendigo seeking Tame’s removal after she led chants of “globalise the intifada” at a Sydney rally last week.
  • Criticism of the chant has come from the AJA, federal MPs and the NSW premier, with the phrase flagged in discussions over proposed state hate speech laws.
  • Event organisers say the “Balance the Scales” program will focus on fairness and reform for women and children, stressing a respectful, constructive discussion.
  • AJA chief executive Robert Gregory warned hosting Tame would make Jewish Australians feel unwelcome in Bendigo, noting the group offered an alternative speaker.