MARR ON ABBOTT. BELOW THE BELT?
Breaking news: Tony Abbott has a small penis. That is, according to David Marr.
Media coverage of his Quarterly Essay, Political Animal: The Making of Tony Abbott, is dominated by claims the Opposition Leader punched the wall next to the head of a woman who beat him in a student election in 1977. But one small sentence is diverting attention from the big issues raised in the essay.
Referring to Team Abbott’s decision to ditch the red Speedos, David Marr (pictured left) wrote:
“Even so, it can be said that never in the political annals of this country have so many seen so much of so little.”
“Is David Marr saying what I think he’s saying here?” tweeted Matt Cowgill.
“New angle on Tiny Tories,” responded Possum Comitatus.
“Politest way to say Abbott has socks in his undies!” from another.
It’s a clever line. David Marr is a brilliant writer. He’s challenging the Mad Monk’s masculinity.
But what if a journalist alluded to Julia Gillard’s breasts being too small?
There was an outcry from left and right when Germaine Greer – twice – commented on the size of the Prime Ministerial posterior. At the time, I said Ms. Greer had left common sense behind.
Women can’t complain about being judged on our physicality, if we do it to others. If we’re up in arms about commentary on a female leader’s body parts, we should also be angry if the subject is male. There are myriad ways to belittle men and comments on their endowment, or lack of it, are up there with the worst insults women cop.
Abbott in Iron-Man mode. Image via smh.com.au.
It is well documented that I am no fan of Tony Abbott. I maintain he has a problem with women. His hyper-masculinity does nothing for me, but comments like Marr’s are the politics of the playground.
We constantly complain about post-truth politics, personality trumping policy, and the race to the bottom. How can we fight this if we’re too busy sniggering behind our hands? You might think I’ve lost my sense of humour. Fortunately, I have a 7-year-old son who makes me laugh every day with his fart, bum and – yes – penis jokes.
But he’s not a distinguished writer dissecting the character of a man who could be Australia’s next Prime Minister.
“What makes people so uneasy about Abbott is the sense that he is biding his time, that there is a very hard operator somewhere behind that mask,” David Marr writes.
Based on his thorough and eviscerating analysis of the Opposition Leader, we should be asking the following questions: Did he intimidate a female colleague at university? Is he still a divisive brawler? And should such a man lead this country?
Or perhaps we should, in the words of Labor Senator Doug Cameron, focus on his “lack of policies, the bad policies he has, not what someone’s done when they were 20”.
Frankly, the size of his dick is irrelevant.
MORE SPICER’S SPOTLIGHT
Fractured Fairytales (& Ankles)
*Tracey Spicer is a respected journalist who has worked for many years in radio, print and television.
Channel Nine and 10 news presenter and reporter; 2UE and Vega broadcaster; News Ltd. columnist; Sky News anchor …it’s been a dream career for the Brisbane schoolgirl with a passion for news and current affairs.
Tracey is a passionate advocate for issues as diverse as voluntary euthanasia, childhood vaccinations, breastfeeding, better regulation of foreign investment in Australia’s farmland, and curtailed opening hours for pubs and clubs.
She is an Ambassador for World Vision, ActionAid, WWF, the Royal Hospital for Women’s Newborn Care Centre and the Penguin Foundation, Patron of Cancer Council NSW and The National Premmie Foundation, and the face of the Garvan Institute’s research into pancreatic cancer, which killed her beloved mother Marcia 11 years ago.
But Tracey’s favourite job, with her husband, is bringing up two beautiful children – six-year-old Taj and five-year-old Grace. Visit Tracey’s website at www.spicercommunications.biz or follow her on Twitter @spicertracey
40 Responses to this article
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Nikki McWatters September 10, 2012
Crikey, the water was cold..but what does it say about David Marr that he’s checking out the package?? I’ve heard it said that when you point the finger at someone there are three pointed back at you????
Mind you, Australians, and more recently Queenslanders, are notorious for voting for dicks!!!
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Isla Curtis September 10, 2012
The genius of Marr’s comment is that it’s ambiguous. It was more likely intended to mean that “so much has been made” of such a little garment, not about Mr Abbott’s size (or lack thereof).
More to the point however, this article will give me nightmares: I never, ever, ever again want to have to picture Mr Abbott’s penis.
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The Huntress September 10, 2012
I can’t comment as I just can’t bring myself to look at Abbott, much less “check him out” (the horror!). He just makes me so angry…
Though I do love going back to the Leigh Sales interview transcript every so often. Never fails to give me a chuckle.
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stella burnell September 10, 2012
He just got out of the cold surf, for heavens sake ! I don’t like Tony, but judging anyone on their physical appearance is juvenile in the extreme. Get your eyes above the waist, David Marr !
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sharon T September 10, 2012
I agree with your comments Tracey. I also admire David Marr’s writing and general political observations, but those asides re the package are disappointing.
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Joanne72 September 10, 2012
I read Marr’s comment (quoted above) over a few times and it’s seems, the meaning is very much open to interpretation. The comment may be referring to the speedo’s (as the media tend to use “Abbott in Speedos” photos whenever they want a specific reaction to a story) and the fact that deciding to ditch the infamous togs was somehow deemed worthy of media.
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Nicole September 10, 2012
None of our leaders deserve to be attacked on a basis of their appearance or gender. But if an ambiguous comment about Abbott’s speedos are the worst it gets, it’s still better than the vile, sexist rubbish circulated about Gillard daily. Sorry but this smack of ‘what about teh menz’ to me.
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Steve October 15, 2012
Hey Nicole
Check this out for bile.
http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/politics/abbott-suffering-a-labor-party-stoning-20121014-27krw.html?rand=1350222426799
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jane September 10, 2012
Mr Abbot is a deeply conservative man thats stuck in the 1950′s catholic tradition of B.A Santamaria
Hes a ruthless political animal with interesting religious convictions
Thats a better summary of the opposition leader
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Tracey September 10, 2012
It’s funny – I guess the line could be open to interpretation. As soon as Wendy and I saw it, we assumed it was about his package. And I’m definitely not obsessed with matters below the belt, as a tired old mother of two! I still maintain – clever line, but I don’t like seeing comments about pollies’ physiques instead of their policies.
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Ro September 10, 2012
He’s a bully & an antagonist whatever sort of silly prick he’s got. And who cares anyhow!! He’s got no style in plain parlance. Whatever one’s political persuasions.
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Matt September 10, 2012
Tracey I doubt you’ll get many on this website who have a problem with Marr’s words. Personally I do have an issue with them.
Gillard supporters howl daily about how the PM has to deal with sexism as well the challenges of being PM.
But when it comes to Abbott, well as far as those with leftist leanings are concerned anything and everything is up for grabs. His penis size, his religion, his relationship with his wife and daughters, his relationship with his female colleagues, his relationship with his gay sister (who adores him btw) his love of rigorous exercise (which one would think would be a good and healthy thing but when Abbott does it he’s apparently being uber-macho and is a turn off) etc.
I’m not here to convince anyone on this site of the virtues of Mr Abbott (he could save children from a burning building and the headline on ‘The Hoopla’ would read “Abbott emits enormous carbon emissions) but it is a very dire political debate when all one can do is go for playground insults about someone personally.
That goes for both sides of the fence btw.
Once again Tracey a well balanced article. You are the best writer on here by a mile.-
June September 11, 2012
Matt, you’ll get just as many or more other sites who are constantly attacking Julia Gillard but I suppose you would like to frequent them more,as you obviously lean towards Mr Abbott… It is not right to to comment publicly about any person’s body but unfortunately we live in an electronic age where people seem to say whatever they please,whether it hurts or not. I try to stick to the old adage “if you don’t like it, don’t look”. I personally agree with a few others who said that Marr probably was referring to the actual Speedos and not Mr Abbott’s appendage.
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Me September 10, 2012
Far too much is made of mens’ penises in general – they are all small in the scheme of things!
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Marion September 10, 2012
How insulting to David Marr’s intellect that you, Tracey Spicer, would reduce Marr’s s broad-ranging & illuminative essay to a mere reference to Tony’s penis. It won’t work Honey, and your conservative stance is now finally exposed. Remind me to never read your seemingly balanced pieces again. This article clarifies absolutely that you are an Abbott/LNP shill.
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Kelly Exeter September 10, 2012
Tracey – I couldn’t agree more. When GG made her comments on Q&A I felt she was going for the cheap laughs and again here, I feel David is doing the same. Sure he is FAR more subtle in the little dig he is having, but still, I am a little disappointed.
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Norelle September 10, 2012
Yes, sorry Wendy you’re right I should have read it first. It’s so true that it is boys in the playground …
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Carole September 10, 2012
Well Matt, When Tony Abbott stood in front of banners calling our Elected Prime Minister
A Bitch, Ditch the Witch, Bob Browns Bitch he unleashed the most disgusting, vile and very personal abuse of a Prime Minister ever in this country. He has continued his abuse in the Parliament against Prime Minister Gillard and others. Don’t tell me he can’t take it !!!!!!!!!
Thanks to David Maher for the article.-
Matt September 10, 2012
@Carole. Abbott must be a busy man making those signs for his big speech. Seriously you are going to credit him with those signs?
As for his performance in Parliament, thats where the Opposition Leader is meant to be aggressive and hold the Government to account. That’s the job of the opposition and both sides have been aggressive over the years. And by the way, where did I say he can’t take it?
We’re talking about commentators here not who said what inside Parliament. We’d be here all day if we discussed that.
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louise turner September 10, 2012
Well said Matt and yes Miranda Devine would be a welcome addition to the Hoopla! Please no more discussion on anything more from David Marr!
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Rhoda September 10, 2012
Get real. He would look out of place in that photo if he was wearing boxers. Bit low of David Marr I thought.
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Deson September 10, 2012
Big, small – who cares? Aren’t his daughters proof that the plumbing works
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Will Marshall September 10, 2012
Keep it above the belt, David, set an example!!
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RobynMarie September 11, 2012
I agree, who cares? He’s not leading the opposition with it is he? Or is he…
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Ro. Watson September 11, 2012
Thanks Tracey ~ as it is said “you hit the nail on the head”~ much better than hitting your own finger!!
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Kerry C September 11, 2012
I’m more interest to see if he will respond to the “please explain” in Parliament about punching the wall next to the lady’s head…. after the tough time he gave Ms Gillard over what she did or didn’t do years ago, its time he coughed up an answer instead of just coughing up his normal bile.
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Lindy September 11, 2012
I hate to acknowledge this line of commentary but I saw Mr.Abbott in an interview with male reporters where he related the story of a female voter telling him that she liked his red bathers but made the comment that they should be smaller. haw haw said the onlookers. I should point out that he had just emerged from cold water and made comments on the effect that this made. No sympathy for this man from me as he spends taxpayers money on his “boy’s own” tours trying to prove how manly he is and judging from the previous comments …….
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Kris September 11, 2012
I don’t agree with anyone disparaging anyone else because of their looks / sex / race / religion / whaterver. It’s not right for Germaine Greer to comment on how Julia Gillard looks (big arse or whatever) & it’s not right for David Marr to make implications about the size of Tony Abbotts’s penis – and there is a sentence I NEVER imagined myself writing – EVER.
How a person looks has no relevance to their suitablity for or ability to perform a job – whaterever it might be. There are many reasons I dont like Tony Abbott – what he may or may not have in his undies is not one of them. And at this point in time, I’m not all that fond of Julia Gillard either. They are, in some ways, as bad as each other. To misquote someone – a pox on both their houses!
Having said all that – Tony Abbott in speedos. *shudder* Just doesn’t do it for me.
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Annie Also September 11, 2012
I did not read David Marr’s comment in that way at all and yet my (adult) children will tell you that I constantly think ‘naughty’ thoughts. I read it as being a man who thinks so highly of himself and yet there is so little there in substance ( meaning intellect and pollicies). And I can’t be bothered to explain how I ‘heard’ GG’s reference to our PM’s dress sense…coz it is all over and it seems like I was the only one who feels that GG is continuing to be a ‘provocateur’ to keep the need for women’s equality in the forefront of today’s women.
If Devine EVER gets to write a piece on Hoola I will have to withdraw sadly from ever reading it again.
Hoopla does not need ‘writers’ from left and right…just good, honest, clear, thought provoking writers…leave the nasties for the appropriate News Corp rags. -
Caroline B September 11, 2012
Like many others, I interpreted DM’s reference as being the amount of fabric in the speedos, not the meat & potatoes. The real issue here is of the intrinsic nature of Abbott – to me, he’s always come across as a slightly unhinged, hugely dishonest, misogynist bully.
I read the extract of DM’s excellent article in Good Weekend & the tactics TA used in his student days to ruthlessly attack & destroy, smear, lie & intimidate have been clearly demonstrated as remaining a major part of his armory today, which is why it IS all still relevant 30 years on.
I hope DM’s full article is read by as many as people as possible – not just the throwaway line re the speedos, which has been blown out of all proportion (no pun intended). People should seriously consider whether we want a person with TA’s dangerous combination of a Huge C Catholic vision & born to rule mentality leading & representing our country & repealing/ introducing laws that fit more neatly with his (& George Pell’s & Alan Jones & BA Sanatamaria’s) repressive views of how Australia & the world at large ‘ought’ to be.
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Calloway Luddington September 11, 2012
I’m not claiming to be high-minded, – I’m as down and dirty as the best of them when it comes to a nudge, nudge, wink, wink remark – but I didn’t interpret the sentence in question in a lewd way at all. I read it as referring to the trite nature of the photo, and the ridiculous coverage it received, or that much hoo-haa was made over a diminutive swimming costume.
David Marr has so many strings to his bow, I don’t think he’d stoop that low to get a laugh. -
Kylie September 11, 2012
Without having read the whole essay, it appears to me that David Marr may be referring to the speedos, not what’s in them.
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Rhoda September 11, 2012
He has used the double entendre.
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Maye September 11, 2012
Having lived through the Santamaria years, that sends a chill through my body, certainly not the sight of Tony in his
Speedo swimmers. I will never understand why our lovely Aussie boys and men are forced to swim half dressed (shorts AND undies) because our girls and grown women can’t face up to the fact that males have a penis – giggle giggle. I don’t like Tony but I would defend his right to wear Speedos. After all, the girls are wearing the tiniest swim wear the designers can come up with. -
liza September 11, 2012
Until Tony Abbott builds an enormous skyscraper I am happy to believe that he is happy with his lot. We may need to wait to find out if that is so. Of course we could go to war on New zealand and that might be another clue !
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Joy Gordon September 11, 2012
Thanks for the article Trace, I also really liked the won you did on gender- Sex and the Ballot box.
I’ve read David Marr’s Quarterly Essay, and I think the statement was far more about the man than his penis. It was bout the 2 sides of AbBott- the conservative catholic and the political animal- it was an illusion that conservative that drives abbott is never seen.
While I agree that the did have a bit of a field day with Abbott and his budgie smugglers, I feel like most of the time in the media, it is women who are objectified and marketed as objects and meat. I agree with the principle that nobody should be talked about this point. But at some point I’m so sick of hearing “it happens to men too” when talking about issues that mainly effect women. It’s as if people are too scared to point out that sexism still waits far higher for women, and they need to add a political correct note- that at times it happens to women.
Take sexual assault and domestic violence figures in THE AGE a few days ago, a hard news article opened with the line- that men are domestic violence victims as well, then saying that still 75% of them occurred to women, they were far more likely to be more serve and involve multiple injuries, they were committed 80% by ex or current male partners and that female DV victims are far more likely to have grave fears of their abuse perpetrator compared to male victims- who had less serve injuries, that were made by 60% females but not likely to be fearful of that 60%, but if they were scared it was because of the other 40%.
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John Hynds October 29, 2012
Tony Abbott’s hyper-masculinity is hyper hyped – by none other than Mr Rabbit of course. Real Alpha males exude a natural confidence without belittling others, especially women; they actually do good deeds & do it without attention seeking ballyhoo. They don’t need to be strutting around like Tony’s stiff Bantam cock display because they’re actually comfortable with their sexuality & demeanor & most importantly, the sexuality of others. Tony Abbott on the other hand is one of the small headed male misogynist brigade that will land a bitch slap on women when ever they get the opportunity His statments like ‘ what hosewives need to understand while doing the ironing…’ was no faux pas, he knew what he was doing. He can’t but help himself having a poke at women; goes to the heart of his mindset – his ‘Catholic practices’ are a moral highground ruse for his would be if he could be control freak – revenge artist, Narcissisism His mother must have hen pecked him as a child
