The 2021 Australian of the Year, Grace Tame, has once again been dragged into the media cycle, this time for *checks notes* sitting in close proximity to a bong eight years ago.
Let’s break down what actually happened, and if this is really a big deal.
What happened?
Well, the news site Daily Mail Australia on Monday unearthed a photo that appears to imply that when Tame – a dedicated advocate for sexual assault education and a survivor herself – was 19, she hung out with people who possibly smoked weed and may even have partaken herself.
The Instagram photo – which, in true 2014 style, has a heavy sepia filter over it – shows a young Tame sitting on a couch with a large weed smoking device, next to a man who appears to be rolling a cigarette with what may or may not be (whispers) marijuana.
Some real buzzkills seemed to have spent their time scrolling back far enough in Tame’s Instagram feed, finding the photos and commenting: “Australian of the year?”
The photo was deleted shortly afterwards, but not before the Daily Mail grabbed a screenshot and published an article.
Did anyone care?
It really doesn’t seem like it, no. Besides the original commenters quoted in the article, and the editorial team at the Daily Mail who felt this was newsworthy to begin with, the reception to the photo has been surprisingly un-boomers-ish.
In fact, dozens of people, including some in public office, have come to Tame’s defence by exposing their own teenage run-ins with the wacky-tobaccy.
Despite the Liberal party’s previous stance on drug testing welfare recipients, federal MP Dave Sharma chimed in, stating he felt “this stuff isn’t remotely in the public interest”, and that he was sure there was a “photo of [him] like that”.
I am sure there is a photo of me like that.
— Dave Sharma (@DaveSharma) February 14, 2022
I don’t think this stuff is remotely in the public interest.
The deputy mayor of Port Phillip, Tim Baxter, proclaimed himself to be a former bong user.
Oh no! Grace Tame once smoked a bong?!?!?
— Cr Tim Baxter 🏳️⚧️ (@BaxterTim) February 14, 2022
I'm the Deputy Mayor and I smoked bongs as a teenager. And I've still never been as cool as Grace Tame.
Others, including former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull’s son, Alex Turnbull, were quick to point out that they knew people currently in politics who had dabbled with much more serious substances; understandably, they weren’t as forthcoming with specific names.
Going after Grace Take for drug use is extremely risky for any LNP members under 40 especially some people in the house and senate. I’ll leave it at that.
— Alex Turnbull (@alexbhturnbull) February 14, 2022
Don’t start stuff you can’t finish.
And of course, some showed their solidarity in a less political and more practical way.
Bonging on for Grace Tame pic.twitter.com/crQEXaAZDX
— Frenzal Rhomb (@Frenzalofficial) February 14, 2022
How has Grace Tame reacted?
Despite deleting the photograph at first, Tame appears to have taken Bong-gate in her stride, using the bizarre situation as an opportunity to poke fun at Scott Morrison for allegedly soiling himself at an Engadine McDonald’s restaurant after the 1997 NRL grand final.
(I’m legally obliged to remind you there is no actual evidence to back up this longstanding urban legend sparked by a joke tweet in 2018).
“But did she shit herself at Maccas after the ‘97 NRL GF?” one Twitter user asked.
“Quite possibly, I would’ve been 2 years old. I shit myself a lot back then,” Tame replied.
Quite possibly, I would’ve been 2 years old. I shit myself a lot back then. https://t.co/PaF3fF0gIX
— Grace Tame (@TamePunk) February 14, 2022
She later suggested she was actually playing a “cover of April Sun in Cuba. On the oboe,” referencing the prime minister’s widely mocked ukulele rendition on 60 Minutes on Sunday night.
Alright, I confess, we were doing a cover of ‘April Sun in Cuba’. On the oboe. pic.twitter.com/MKKsm7EF3y
— Grace Tame (@TamePunk) February 15, 2022
So how does Australia feel about weed?
If this whole ordeal shows us anything, it’s that Australian society doesn’t really view cannabis use as a moral crime any more. The Daily Mail has seemingly backpedalled on its bong coverage, publishing articles showing the glowing response Tame received on social media.
Even the regular conservative think pieces on the photo have been rather reserved.
According to data from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 36% of Australians aged 14 and over had used cannabis in their lifetime, 11.6% in the last year.
And the latest National Drug Strategy Household Survey showed that 41.1% of respondents supported the legalisation of cannabis for personal use in 2019 – a significant rise from 25.5% in 2013, though health experts are wary, warning of the potential risks associated with cannabis use.
Cannabis-related arrests have been on the rise, growing by 30% in the last decade according to the Australian Crime Commission’s 2019-2020 report. In the 2019-20 financial year, Australian police made 76,669 weed-related arrests, the third-highest number on record.
But with the photo prompting many high-profile figures to publicly engage in discussions about the normality of cannabis use in Australian life, some have suggested this could be the beginning of a larger conversation.
Grace Tame might be Australian of the decade if she manages to end the war on drugs as a follow on from legalising the right of abuse victims speaking up.#GraceTame
— Nathan Lee (@NathanLee) February 14, 2022
