Dylan Alcott says Grace Tame leaves big shoes to fill as Australian of the Year

The 2022 Australian of the Year Dylan Alcott has paid tribute to his predecessor and friend, Grace Tame, telling ABC News Breakfast she had left «big shoes» for him to fill.

«Tame is a weapon. Like, she's fierce and I love that, and the change that she's had for her cause has been so impressive,» Mr Alcott said.

«She set the bar high and they're big shoes to fill. So I hope I can do it justice, that's for sure.»

Mr Alcott called out the outgoing Australian of the Year in his acceptance speech as well, promising to uphold an agreement the pair made once he completes the Australian Open competition.

«Tame, you are fierce and I love it,» he said.

«You have done so much for your cause and, if I could be one-eighth of the Australian of the Year that you were, I think I've done my job.

»When I won the US Open, I skolled a beer out of my trophy and you said, 'If I got to pass the mantle over to this guy, I'd be honoured. But we have to skoll the beer together'. Give me a couple of days and then we can do it. Not just yet."

After Ms Tame brought the conversation of sexual assault under the national spotlight, support services saw a huge spike in referrals.

The number of survivors speaking out about their experiences has increased as well.

But this impact has not come easily to Ms Tame, who faced fierce criticism over her activism.

«Some of the hate [Grace Tame] has copped is undeserving and I hope she has a break and looks after herself because she deserves it, you know what I mean? She really does,» Mr Alcott said.

Most recently, Ms Tame dominated the headlines after a frosty exchange with the Prime Minister Scott Morrison at a morning tea on Tuesday, ahead of the Australian of the Year Awards.

This was followed by considerable debate on