Dee Salmin, girlfriend of AFL star Darcy Moore and Triple J presenter, made a bold statement at Melbourne Fashion Week by wearing a white singlet emblazoned with the word ‘Difficult.’ The outfit serves as a pointed reference to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s recent description of Grace Tame.

Salmin’s Fashion Choice and Social Media Post

Salmin, 31, paired the handmade top with a black-and-white patterned mini-skirt and knee-high boots while posing at the Royal Exhibition Building. She shared photos on social media earlier that day, showing herself painting the singlet on an op-shop find.

‘We love difficult women and upcycling at @melbfashionfestival,’ Salmin captioned the post. She added, ‘So my top was handmade with fabric paint and an op shop singlet.’

Background on Albanese’s Comment

The gesture stems from Albanese’s one-word response during a rapid-fire Q&A at the Future Victoria summit. Asked to describe Grace Tame, the 2021 Australian of the Year and child sexual abuse survivor, he replied: ‘Difficult.’

Albanese later clarified the remark referred to Tame’s challenging life experiences. ‘If there was any misinterpretation, then I certainly apologise,’ he stated. ‘Grace Tame, you certainly can’t describe in one word. She has had a difficult life, and that was what I was referring to.’

Tame’s Response

Tame, also 31, condemned the comment and apology on social media. ‘Dude’s quoting Scott (Morrison) now!!! “She’s had a difficult life”… Spare me the condescension, old man,’ she wrote. ‘A badge of honour anyway. A confession that I’ve ruffled him.’

In another post, Tame called the apology ‘a patronising cop out from a total coward.’

During the same Q&A, Albanese described Donald Trump as ‘president,’ Pauline Hanson as ‘divisive,’ and One Nation voters as ‘frustrated,’ but declined to sum up Barnaby Joyce in one word.

Tame previously maintained a positive relationship with Albanese while frequently criticizing former Prime Minister Scott Morrison, especially regarding the Brittany Higgins case.

Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young described Albanese’s remarks as unfortunate but noted his apology as appropriate.