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AUSTRLIAN OPPOSITION LEADER Tony Abbott has apologised after saying the government was inexperienced when it comes to having babies, a comment seen as a dig at childless Prime Minister Julia Gillard.
Abbott, recently savaged by Gillard as sexist and a misogynist, made the remark when referring to cuts in a baby bonus scheme announced as part of the government’s mid-year budget review.
He said scaling back the payment to cut costs and return the budget to surplus revealed a lack of “experience” within the government of raising children.
In response the unmarried Gillard, who was once described by a member of Abbott’s Liberal party as “deliberately barren”, said: “I think Mr Abbott can explain what he meant by that line.”
YouTube: Greenshack Dotinfo
Trade Minister Craig Emerson also questioned what Abbott, who has three daughters, meant. ”If he’s talking about the treasurer (Wayne Swan), well he’s got several children; I’ve got several children,” Emerson said.
“So what’s he really on about to suggest that this government isn’t experienced at having children and therefore with the costs of children?”
Abbott accused the government of “hyperventilating” over the issue and said he meant no offence. However, he offered to apologise: ”If she (Gillard) wants to take offence of course I’m sorry about that. And if she would like me to say sorry, I’m sorry,” Abbott told Fairfax radio.
“Mate, I think a lot of people are very ready to read far too much into entirely innocent comments,” he added. “This was as innocent as a comment can be.”
Shadow treasurer Joe Hockey said the ruling Labor party was being over-sensitive. ”This is pathetic. This whole rhetoric is pathetic,” he said.
“If we’re at the point now where we can’t refer to the government and families in the same breath, surely the debate has got to an absurd point.”
Gillard, the nation’s first woman leader, won praise around the world for her comments on Abbott being sexist during a parliamentary speech a fortnight ago, which saw her popularity surge in an opinion poll released on Monday.
Abbott said Tuesday that people wanted to “move on” from the debate.
“If I’ve got a criticism of the government I’m criticising it because of its record, not because of the gender of any of its members,” he said.
In its mid-year economic review on Monday, the government announced some Aus$16.4 billion in savings over four years to help return the budget to surplus in 2012-13, including cuts to the baby bonus scheme.
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Deliberately Barren…..
What a charmer!
A creep.
Ah hayah, leave it ouh !
“Sensitive Australians.” Isn’t that somewhat self contradictory?
I reckon that’s a perfect oxymoron! well spotted
Flaming drongo!
Will no one rid us of this wanna be priest?
Stupid comment.
It certainly was stupid, I can’t believe Abbott is a Rhodes scholar.
He is the OZ version of PEE Youknowwho
Ars***le.
There’s something odd about women who chose not to have kids.
What is odd about it?
But not men? Sexist and stupid, all in one!
How is it odd ? Some people want them and some don’t, it’s a lifestyle choice, and one that a person is entitled to.
It goes against the natural maternal instinct that’s why it’s odd.
How is that sexist?! Stupid on the other hand….
That women have a natural maternal instinct. Some men want to be parents, some women do. It’s not a gender specific thing.
are you sure you don’t want to with draw that remark cian ?
its such a crap thing to say
@Cian to you I may look like a woman who has chosen not to have children but biologically I can’t. I say sometimes that I don’t want children but I think that might be a coping mechanism as I have seen others destroyed by their desire to procreate but their physical inability. Get a f**king life and half a brain
Cian, theres something wrong with men commenting about women they know nothing about! You really are a tool.
He is a sexist bafoon and Australia is going to be less and less likely to elect him in the future if he continues like this. Making a holy show of himself, much like when he went around in budgie smugglers… (Speedo’s)
slagging has become a national sport in oz!!
some Man, if there are any in Labour party Australia, should give that fella a clear warning
You obviously missed her ripping him a new one two weeks ago
have your say