Neil Mitchell says former Australian of the Year Grace Tame’s speech at the National Press Club on Wednesday was “very powerful” but he’s concerned about an element of the address.

Ms Tame said she “received a threatening phone call from a senior member of a government funded organisation” asking her for her word she wouldn’t say anything “damning” about the Prime Minister.

The Prime Minister’s office says Scott Morrison was not aware of the phone call allegation prior to Ms Tame’s speech and “would not authorise such actions”.

A spokesperson for the National Australia Day Council, which is responsible for the Australia Day Awards, denies any of its staff had conversations with Ms Tame which could be considered “threatening”.

Neil Mitchell says the call is “outrageous if it happened”, but he’s concerned about the lack of information Ms Tame has provided.

“If she has serious allegations like this to raise, and they are very serious allegations — she’s saying there was an attempt to nobble her — she has to provide details. She should name the organisation and the detail,” the 3AW Mornings host said.

“Accusations like this are very, very serious. She’s claiming to be officially intimidated as Australian of the Year.

“She has to understand the power of her words in this case.”

Neil Mitchell also raised concerns over the behaviour of many journalists at the event.

“I was very disappointed by some of the gathered media, mostly women. They didn’t behave like journalists, they behaved like a cheer squad.

“You could see them looking at the speakers with glazed eyes and brimming admiration.”

Press PLAY below to hear Neil’s thoughts in full

Image: Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images

Prime Minister responds to explosive phone call claim from Grace Tame