Social Services Minister Tanya Plibersek took to Instagram yesterday to take Married At First Sight (MAFS) to task for giving misogyny a platform — specifically in the form of 30-year-old Tyson Gordon, who has repeatedly said he wants a “submissive” wife.
The video opens with a shot of the politician viewing footage of Tyson on MAFS: After The Dinner Party, in which host Laura Byrne puts to Tyson, “If you want someone who is obedient, yes, it’s controlling. And you want a dog.” In response, Tyson says, “OK, well, there you go. Maybe that’s what I want.”
Speaking to the camera after watching the footage, the Minister states, “Seriously, this guy. This is exactly the kind of controlling behaviour that we’re trying to combat when we talk about getting rid of coercive control.”
“The fact this is being mainstreamed on a really popular show is really disappointing,” she continues, adding, “I really think the makers of this show need to think twice before platforming this sort of misogyny.”
In an Instagram caption, Tanya Plibersek writes: “When men who idolise ‘submissive’ and ‘obedient’ women are normalised on prime-time TV, it means coercive control is given a national platform.”
“That’s not entertaining, it’s incredibly dangerous. This is the exact kind of cultural messaging we’re trying to change. Messaging which encourages control and dehumanises women, which is supercharged by algorithms peddling misogyny for profit.”
MAFS producers argue that Tyson is challenged on his sexism
Per The Guardian, producers have argued they’re not platforming misogyny because Tyson’s views are called out and challenged on the show.
Fellow MAFS contestant Filip Gregov has also espoused views on YouTube that align with Red Pill ideology, from repeatedly referring to women as “females”, implying that women are deceptive, and stating they are “there for the taking.”
On 28 April 2024, the PM declared that Australia faced a national crisis of violence against women.
Married at First Sight (MAFS) 2026 airs Sunday – Wednesday at 7:30pm on Channel 9 and 9Now.
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