Darren Chester (Gippsland, National Party, Shadow Minister for Regional Education) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Our words in this place have consequences, and a dear friend of mine of more than 20 years texted me last night to say this: 'We are currently in crisis mode at our home with a 12-year-old son who has Tourette's syndrome, and we are at breaking point. For the leader of our country to show such ignorance regarding this condition in front of the whole nation when it's already such a stigmatised and misunderstood disability has caused our family so much pain.'

My friend also passed on these words from her beautiful son: 'It makes me so sad when people make fun of me or tell me to stop the tics when I can't. I know my tics can be annoying and frustrating for other people to put up with, but I wish people knew how annoying, frustrating, painful and embarrassing they are for me. Other people can walk away from me when my tics get too much. But I can't escape. For me, they never stop, they never go away, and I can never get a break from them.'

I know the Prime Minister has apologised for his insensitive comments in question time yesterday, but I want to remind all members that our words in this place have consequences for all Australians. Tourette's is incurable. Treatment can help. I just want to say to my friend, to her son and to all Australians living with this condition, we love you, and this place let you down yesterday. People living with Tourette's can't control their tics, but we can control what we say in this place. Our words have consequences, and we have to do better.