ABC's own Charlie Pickering SLAMS decision to hand Grace Tame a taxpayer-funded podcast - as Jewish community leaders rage over her role: 'No remorse'

By KYLIE STEVENS, SENIOR BREAKING NEWS REPORTER, AUSTRALIA and CAITLIN POWELL - NEWS REPORTER Published: 06:51, 2 June 2026 | Updated: 07:00, 2 June 2026 Grace Tame's new taxpayer-funded podcast with the ABC has sparked public backlash, with one of the national broadcaster's stars describing decision as the 'problematic'. The new series, Autistic AF with Grace Tame, premiered on the broadcaster's We Need To Talk series on Tuesday. The launch follows the former Australian of the Year's recent claims that she could not get work following pro-Palestine comments. Comedian and ABC star Charlie Pickering, who converted to Judaism before marrying his Jewish-American wife, gave a brutally honest opinion when he was asked by Rebel News Australia about the appointment. 'I actually do think it's problematic - that's my personal opinion,' The Weekly with Charlie Pickering host said. 'And as you would understand, and as a Jewish Australian,  there is a complete misunderstanding about the words that were said and the true meaning of them 'People are using words and phrases that have meaning well beyond they think they do.' Pickering was referencing Tame's 'globalise the intifada' comments just weeks after the Bondi terrorist attack on a Jewish celebration, where 15 innocent lives were lost Executive Council of Australian Jewry co-chief executive Alex Ryvchin led the barrage of backlash from the Jewish community. 'It seems the ABC has determined that Grace Tame is fit for employment at public expense after screaming chants widely interpreted as calling for global attacks on Jews and a radio interview in which she doubled down on her comments questioning the widespread pack rape and sexual torture committed by Hamas, which the terrorists themselves never denied,' he told Daily Mail in a statement. 'Everyone deserves a second chance but Tame has shown no remorse or regret whatsoever.  'The effect of this is to legitimise her violent views and sends a message that her obscene conduct carries no consequences and even brings public contracts.' Australian Jewish Association chief executive Robert Gregory slammed the ABC as 'tone deaf.' Daily Mail has contacted the ABC for comment regarding the backlash. No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards. By posting your comment you agree to our house rules. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual We will automatically post your comment and a link to the news story to your Facebook timeline at the same time it is posted on MailOnline. To do this we will link your MailOnline account with your Facebook account. We’ll ask you to confirm this for your first post to Facebook. You can choose on each post whether you would like it to be posted to Facebook. Your details from Facebook will be used to provide you with tailored content, marketing and ads in line with our Privacy Policy.