Australian of the Year: Catherine McGregor says David Morrison choice was 'weak'

[Ms Grace]

Australian of the Year: Catherine McGregor says David Morrison choice was 'weak'

http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/australian-of-the-year-catherine-mcgregor-says-david-morrison-choice-was-weak-20160127-gmf5g2.html

smh.com.au | David Wroe

Australian of the Year finalist and transgender military officer Catherine McGregor has branded the appointment of her former boss David Morrison to the position as a "weak and conventional choice".

Coming shortly after the former chief of army was named Australian of the Year, Group Captain McGregor has told the prominent gay and lesbian magazine the Star Observer that the National Australia Day board did "not have the courage to go with an LGBTI person".

[Cindy]

I know and love Cate, but I think the controversy with the army people killed her chances, not her being a leading transwoman.

[Ms Grace]

This is pretty poor form in my honest opinion. Yeah, it would have been something else to has a trans person as Australian of the Year, it would have given trans issues a lot of prominence (and no doubt a lot of angry push back from haters too) but to criticise someone else who got the nod ahead of you as being not worthy is just sore loser territory.

[Cindy]

Agreed, I think all of the nominees were incredible people and deserved their honour. I think there is a lot to be said for accepting a committee decision and moving on with dignity.

[AnonyMs]

It just goes to show she's human like the rest of us. I hate to think what I'd say if I was in the spotlight all the time.

Its a good thing these forums are text, so you get to double/triple check what you say before saying it.

She did apologize for it afterwards.

[Ms Grace]

Well that's good to know. I'll admit it's easy to slip up and/or have one's words taken out of context. And she's seasoned with the media and public spotlight... part of the reason I guess I expected better.

[Claire_Sydney]

I would have loved to see Cate win this.  I listened to her speak last week in Sydney and found her quite inspiring.

And, to be honest, it does sit a little uncomfortable with me that the famous speech that elevated David Morrison to a national figure was written by Cate.  It has a little bit of the air of an old 1970's movie where an alluring, grandiose head of state inspires the nation, while the true genius behind their success hides in the shadows because they are socially ostracised (I might be dramatising it a bit but you get the point). 

Still, Cate's reaction to the decision seemed a bit unbecoming.  I'm glad she apologised quickly and moved on.

[Violets]

Although it's disappointing she didn't win, at least she was named Australian of the Year for Queensland, and therefore the first trans person to ever become a finalist. That in itself is a huge win for our community.

I do find it ironic that the famous speech David Morrison gave a few years ago was actually written by Cate.   

[Ms Grace]

Here's the article about her apology

Australian of the Year: Catherine McGregor sorry after saying David Morrison choice was 'weak'