Grace Tame, the former Australian of the Year, has stated that her speaking engagement in Hobart is her last for the year, attributing the cancellation of future events to a 'smear campaign' against her. This announcement follows a recent incident where the Australian Jewish Association attempted to cancel her appearance at an event in Bendigo due to her leading a chant of 'globalise the intifada' during a protest in Sydney. Tame claims that there is a 'well-oiled political machine' working against her, particularly after the backlash from her earlier statements.

During her speech at the No to Violence national conference in Hobart, Tame emphasized that she does not endorse violence or antisemitism. She expressed frustration over the negative publicity and how it has impacted her career and ability to speak on important issues. The controversy around her previous comments has sparked a heated debate about free speech and activism in Australia, with Tame positioning herself as a target of political maneuvering.

Tame's situation highlights ongoing tensions in Australian society about political speech, particularly in relation to movements involving Palestine and Israel. The backlash she has faced raises questions about the limits of activism and the societal response to controversial statements. As she steps back from public engagements for the remainder of the year, it remains to be seen how this situation will evolve and what impact it will have on her future as an activist and public figure.