TONY’S GOT A WOMAN PROBLEM
There’s something visceral about the way we women respond to Tony Abbott.
It’s a gut reaction. Deep down we know he’s no good for us.
Not fashionable with women… Tony Abbott in the February 2012 issue of GQ.
When it’s there in the latest opinion polls, in real numbers, perhaps the Liberal Party should have a long hard look at their pin-up boy.
Women can see through the façade of the fit, charitable family man who’s partial to a spot of…What?
No-one knows what Tony does in his spare time, apart from flogging himself on a pushbike or running in sand. Maybe that’s part of the problem.
Most women do know that Malcolm Turnbull, with his wife Lucy, likes to blog about his dogs and they adore him for it.
His recent heartfelt eulogy for his departed dog Mellie showed a soft and compassionate side.
Tony’s problem is that women don’t like him. It’s reflected in the latest polls if anyone cares to dig a little deeper.
Essential Media’s January poll found 53 percent of women disapprove of Tony Abbott as Opposition leader; 29 per cent approve. His disapproval rate among women has jumped two points since August, while approval has dropped four points.
“He is much stronger with men than women,” according to the CEO of Essential Media Communications, Peter Lewis.
The results from Newspoll are equally telling.
Aggregating the results over the last quarter, on the question of who would be the better Prime Minister, one point separates Julia Gillard on 39 percent and Tony Abbott on 38 percent.
But if you, like the late and beloved Mellie, keep digging even further, a disparity emerges: 42 percent of women prefer Julia Gillard; 33 percent Tony Abbott.
“There is a significant gender imbalance,” Newspoll CEO Martin O’Shannessy told me.
What is it with Tony? Is anyone listening to what women have to say?
Take his position on equal pay.
In a landmark test case yesterday, almost 150,000 community sector workers – mainly women – were awarded pay rises between 19 and 41 per cent. These are Australia’s unsung heroes. They care for the disabled, run homeless shelters, and counsel families in crisis. Fair Work Australia found their work was undervalued because of their gender.
“We’re hoping this decision will go towards putting a dent in the 18 percent pay gap between men and women in Australia,” Sally McManus from the Australian Services Union said.
The Prime Minister put out a statement saying the decision was “good for the sector, good for caring workers, good for women, good for families and good for the economy”.
But there was nothing from the Opposition Leader.
That’s because in 2010, Tony Abbott refused to commit a future Coalition government to supporting the equal pay case.
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90 Responses to this article
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Jackie February 2, 2012
Thank you! I am now comforted in the fact it’s not just me….to be honest I just find him creepy..his laugh and his eyes…when he speaks you can read his face and his eyes don’t “show” the words.
It’s like looking at a political sociopath…no emotion in his eyes…no matter what comes out of his mouth…I just think “he’s either lying or hiding something”
I’m not naive, I know all politicians lie (it goes with the job) but in the past I’ve been wooed, charmed and “gosh darn that”s cute” Tony just leaves me cold…..and suspicious.
They say we were blessed with “women’s’ intuition” perhaps it’s what we are all feeling..for a variety of reasons.
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Pep February 3, 2012
I am a feminist ( soft-feminist as opposed to hard-activist feminist), an environmentalist, and a woman happily married to my wife of 10 years.
Regardless of whether I sit in the majority (straight woman, potentially married to a man, kids, etc) or in the minority (same-sex attracted, etc), Tony Abbott still comes across exactly the same way to most women: arrogant, out of touch, in-compassionate, dominant and bullying, bigoted and discriminatory, narcissistic, and believes women are only good for two things – a) to be men’s slave, and b) for men’s sexual satisfaction.
How could any woman of sound mind believe that this poor excuse for a man would be a good leader for this country??
The only reason Tony is in that liberal leadership position is because men love him, and it was men who put him there. Tony is old school and men love it – think about the days when men ruled and owned everything, when women only spoke when asked to, when they did the housework, looked after the children and had enough energy at the end of the day to put on a fancy negligee and please her man until he was satisfied and fell to sleep.Women don’t like Tony because we see straight through him. We know what he says about us in public, and also know it is only a fraction offensive compared to what he says behind closed doors in his ‘boys club’. Tony is creepy, weasel-like, sneaky, dishonest, and given the opportunity would rule like a tyrant. The thing the liberals don;’ realise is that women don’t like Julie Bishop either.
I don’t vote labour, I don’t vote liberal – I vote for the strong, ethical, compassionate party that shows true integrity and leadership when it comes to human rights, animal rights, environmental policy and positive social change. It’s time that there was a clean out of the liberal and labour party.
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karen February 3, 2012
here! here! thanx for the reminder Tracy and fellow commentors. Thought that smile of the “wifey” looked a bit strained. Go Girls!
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Philliz February 10, 2012
As a gay senior citizen I have my fair share of intuition too and my radar is beeping like mad about Mr Abbott and his crazy colleagues. I can never trust a man that laughs and snorts so enthusiastically at his own poor jokes, usually at Julia’s expense.
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Julie-Anne Rogers February 2, 2012
Yep, I agree. He has a look about him that just isn’t warm and trustworthy. I know that this is not a practical way of looking at things but I am rarely proven wrong with my intuition and have OFTEN been proven right. Women’s intuition is nothing to be sneezed at!
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Christopher February 2, 2012
It’s not just women that don’t trust him. I may be lacking women’s intuition but anyone who cares to look can clearly see he is a cold, vicious narrow-minded snake. His lust for power blinds him to what is best for our country- he sees only what he needs to do to take down the Government and seems to not give a second thought to the collateral damage he leaves behind. In case I haven’t been clear, I can’t stand him.
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Jo-Living Savvy February 2, 2012
Yesterday my 8 year old daughter (she is regular RNBreakfast listener I think general knowledge is seeping into her brain) asked me about my resons for not supporting or liking Tony Abbott, I did my best to explain my reasons and view however as I was talking I was aware that I was unable to find the words that really captured my feelings and view, Tracey your article this morning has filled a gap for me. Now, my next challenge is to translate your words into those that my 8 year old can understand.
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Space Kidette February 2, 2012
Excellent article, Tracy. (Thank you Wendy Harmer for the heads up!)
My immediate reaction to Abbott is one women develop after many years of meeting creepy men with alterior motives – Keep your distance, this one will do you over.
His mysogyny over the years has just reinforced that impression. Women are just modern day June Cleaver’s in this man’s mind.
His conservative religious views have no place in modern politics and I would dread to see what decisions he makes on behalf of women should he become PM. The opinions he aired during the RU486 debate were straight from the dark ages.
Thanks Tracey, for undertaking analysis at a depth that takes us from the usual leadershit speculation. Australia deserves deeper scrutiny of a man who claims to be the ‘Alternative PM’.
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Suzy W February 2, 2012
Both Julia and Tony make uninspiring leaders but Tony has the added dimension of lacking even the pretence of being a compassionate, decent human being. If all he has to offer is machismo and false bravado, someone needs to tell him that this is not some small town in Mexico that he’s trying to be Mayor of.
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Kerry February 2, 2012
Couldn’t agree more Tracey. I’ve always had a problem with Tony and your article is spot on. The true face of Tony can be seen in the photos published from Australia Day. As Julia is clearly headed for a tumble, the smirk on Tony’s face is undeniable. What a horrible man!!!
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Rosie February 2, 2012
There is nothing more I can add to all the comments above – except to say “I agree”. I’m glad that so many others see his determination to get to the top by saying anything that would get him there. I distrust his eyes and that half smirk of a smile – it’s as though he’s laughing at everybody. Absolutely no warmth about this man.
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Jane Caro February 2, 2012
I remember when Sarah Murdoch launched a book of his and he thanked her husband for letting her come and do it!!!!!!!
This was quite recently, if my aging memory serves me correctly.
I confess he is very charming in person and when I have debated him has always played the issue and never the (wo)man, which I admire and appreciate. But the problem is his very old fashioned views about women and – particularly – our reproductive rights and choices. For me, it isn’t personal at all. It is purely political. He would like to restrict my choices and those of my daughters, I don’t want that to happen, so I cannot vote for him. -
Mari February 2, 2012
As just about every person says here, I also find him “creepy” never forgave him for how he demonised Bernie Banton. I know it is trite but I really feel it is woman’s intuition coming to the fore here, all we have to do in convince the men
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debbiep February 2, 2012
I can’t not say or agree any more that what has already been said here . The first comment posted by jackie is my relpy to a tee.
I am just so glad I am not alone with ‘My Feelings’
thank you. -
Anne February 2, 2012
Thank you, I can’t stand him, he’s creepy and i don’t trust him. I believe that, as Pm he will still make me fearful because thats all he knows. Quite frankly i’m surprised he hasn’t been taken to task over his lack of policy.
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Luc February 2, 2012
I think he is seriously lacking in the empathy gene.
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mp February 2, 2012
I started reading “a Man’s Man” a biography on Tony Abbott recently & got to page 3 before I found a factual error. I wanted to know why people (especially women) hated him so much. I like to read facts not hysterical ramblings & made up crap so I didn’t continue with that particular book. I believe women MUST have the right to choose what they do with their bodies but I have always been curious as to why for example if a woman has a miscarriage at 6 weeks she “lost her baby” but having an abortion at 6 weeks is “removing the products of conception”. We don’t seem to be able to talk about this rationally without hysterics & finger wagging. Also I get paid, dollar for dollar, the exact same amount as my male colleagues.
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Dramaqueen75 February 2, 2012
I think a woman’s choice of words describing the end of a pregancy will be determined by the circumstances leading up to the event. If it was a desired pregnancy of course she ( and others in “society” who she shares the news with) will say she “lost a baby”. If it was an unwanted and unplanned pregnancy that ends at 6 weeks of course she is not going to say she “lost a baby”, she is going to be quietly relieved that she didn’t have to take a medical choice to end the pregnancy. Others in society are not going to discuss it because she is not going to share that news in this set of circumstances.
So, I think your argument is a little flawed.
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julia February 2, 2012
I wonder whether he wants those same policies for his own daughters – unequal pay, lack of choice, saving their ‘gift’ for a man.
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M February 2, 2012
This one’s creepy – that one’s insincere – one is incompetent – another is a boozer – one is arrogant – don t like the look of that one – don t like the smirk on that one’s face – this one is against women, that one is racist anti business anti abortion anti everything. . . . Oh it goes on and on and on …… This is as it is with politicians and has been for so many years at the end of the day we have to vote on issues. Politicians are not always “viewer friendly” and by the nature of the beast a lot of the time cut of from normal society. They are often advised by public servants or PR people (or whatever they are called now) who are advising them on populist opinions or trends and demographic sectors! So frustrating all I do is work hard and honestly do the right thing and hope for the best. I feel powerless no matter who is PM or leader of the Oposition – just hope that somewhere somehow someone in Canberra remembers it s not their money.
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Mrs Savage February 2, 2012
I will never trust someone who continues to perpetuate a lie on his website that there are 100,000 abortions per year in Australia (link here: http://www.tonyabbott.com.au/LatestNews/ArticleswrittenbyTony/tabid/87/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/3653/RATE-OF-ABORTION-HIGHLIGHTS-OUR-MORAL-FAILINGS.aspx).
There are no available statistics on abortions in Australia. From what I have gathered he is basing that figure off D&C procedures which can happen for a variety of reasons. Not all pertain to abortion.
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WENDY GREEN February 2, 2012
If you go to the Women’s Health Victoria website you can read a paper on abortion which states that, “In Australia, it is estimated that around 70,000 to 80,000 women undergo an abortion each year.”
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Mrs Savage February 2, 2012
Hi Wendy – those figures still include procedures due to miscarriage or fetal death. Estimates currently vary between 20,000 and 65,000, no more. This information is all provided under a government website http://www.aph.gov.au/library/pubs/rb/2004-05/05rb09.htm
The Women’s Health website is an independent organisation and probably less inclined to be accurate.
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WENDY GREEN February 2, 2012
Then that’s 20,000 to 65,000 too many.
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GraMac February 2, 2012
at least 50% are reported to be due to failure of contraception
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Genevieve Tucker February 2, 2012
I remain incredibly disappointed that Abbott is already trying to break the National Disability Insurance Scheme before it’s even got its head around the door.
There are so many female carers in this country in pain because of the failure of successive governments to fund disability care over many years. This is the first real sniff we’ve had at a fair go for such a long time, and here he is already putting nails in its coffin.
As well as trying to turn back boats illegally in the sea. Why would anyone like such a person? -
Rachael February 2, 2012
Yep. Hard to believe such anti-women thinking has any place in modern society, let alone in the head of the Opposition (and an apparently popular one at that.) Totally agree with Jane Caro – it’s a policy matter … if only we really knew what his were, though …
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Linda February 2, 2012
Spot on. Thank you Tracey (and Wendy.)
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tandah February 2, 2012
TA’s religious morality is a problem especially around women’s choice, but the teensy upside is that he seems a bit more compassionate on health and workers issues than many of his colleagues. What I don’t like about him is overt competitiveness and transparent ruthlessness – which probably just reflects the fragility of the government.
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Claudia February 2, 2012
Creepy as hell…… I can’t explain why it is just a very natural reaction every time I see him on tv.
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suzanne February 2, 2012
Have to Totally disagree , most women i know feel that GILLARD GIVES THEM THE TOTAL CREEPS , the most unattractive so called women on the inside and out , and maybe even the PLANET ! The day our Country is rid of her the Better off Australia will be ! Total Embarressment to all in our Beautiful Country ! If it survives a before SHE DESTROYS IT ! I SAY GO ABBOTT ALL THE WAY !!!.
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SandsofTime February 2, 2012
Sorry Suzanne, would you mind just clarifying in what way your perception of Julia Gillard’s attractiveness has any bearing on her abilities as Prime Minister? You also call her a “so called woman”. OK I don’t live in Australia at the moment but I must have missed the news about there being some debate about the PM’s gender.
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Sue February 2, 2012
Creepy is definitely the word but more importantly, how am I now supposed to get rid of that image of the wanna-be bronzed Aussie in his budgie smugglers. This article should have had a disclaimer. Yuck. No really. Yuck!
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Asiel February 2, 2012
I dont agree, I find it very interesting that women can say they dont like him when they have never met him, is this what we are teaching our children now, to judge a book by its cover.
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MrsP2011 February 2, 2012
I agree somewhat Ariel, that’s what my Mum taught me. Never judge a book by its cover. However, in this case, I’m afraid that’s all we have to go on – mostly a book cover in budgie smugglers. Yuk!
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Meghan B. February 2, 2012
No Asiel, we’re teaching them to judge our political leaders based on their demonstrated policy positions and past performance, which is what any good thinking voter should do, and Tracey’s article clearly outlines the various policy positions Abbott has publicly held that make him so offensive to women. There is nothing in the article about judging him “by his cover”. The fact is that very few voters get to personallymeet their elected representatives – or if they do it’s for a quick grip-and-grin – and so we must make educated decisions based on their stated objectives and public personas. Abbott has had plenty of opportunity to make himself known to the country and THAT is why women don’t like him.
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Rhonda February 2, 2012
Well the “cover” is pretty much the whole deal in politics. Personal introduction or not (and frankly, i’d rather not) we have every right to judge his candidacy for the top job. He simply fails women on too many counts – he is a very scary proposition.
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Pep February 3, 2012
Some people have a firm grasp on their intuition and gut-instinct. You realise it only takes between 3 and 7 seconds for people to make a decision on how they view you. I have never met Tony, but I don’t need to – his presentation in public (tv, radio, newspapers, etc), continually validate why I am repulsed by him. Trust your gut-instinct and see him for his true self.
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David February 2, 2012
The current government has been disappointing in many ways and, ordinarily, I would probably be seriously considering voting for the Opposition – but it will be a cold day in hell when I vote for any party lead by Tony Abbott.
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Maggie February 2, 2012
The words have all been taken but I would like to add my name to the previous statements
Abbott denies women equality for that matter he denies equality for anyone who is not Tony Abbott -
MrsP2011 February 2, 2012
First of all those polls. They are springing up like weeds in an otherwise carefully tended garden. If you have any brains at all you won’t read anything into them. Secondly, Tony Abbott, the man. There is a word that describes his bland personality to a tee – “nondescript”. And if I hear anything more on the subject of equal pay for women I will scream. I’m sick of hearing about this “problem” of inequality. It gives me the irrits. Maybe that is because I honestly don’t know any women who, if they believe they are underpaid, or not being treated on an equal basis with their colleagues, wouldn’t address the issue personally. If a woman thinks she is underpaid it is perfectly acceptable in this modern era, for her to tackle the problem with her employer. Women do have that right. Back to Tony – yes, it will be an absolute disaster for this country if he ever becomes PM – that’s Prime Minister – not PreMenstrual. He doesn’t have a handle on anything – let alone any issues related to women. He makes one stupid remark after another and the worst of it is – he is negative about everything, everything. Clearly the women in his family have no influence on him at all. It reminds me of an interview I saw many years ago when John Howard made his first attempt at serious foray into politics. A reporter from one of the current affairs programs walked around a supermarket with Janet Howard as he did an interview with her. One of the questions the reporter asked was (words to the effect) “Does your husband have any idea of the cost of feeding a family and the cost of groceries?” Her answer was “No, he doesn’t”. History repeating itself. And you know the really, really scary thing about Tony – his negativity has managed to jaundice the thoughts, remarks and public persona of many of his Liberal cohorts, including his Deputy – a woman. Woman’s intuition, gut instinct, call it what you like but just go with it because Tony doesn’t have a clue about what we are all about and that’s dangerous.
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lisa February 2, 2012
MrsP you clearly have no idea what it means to work in lowpaid industries. Do you really think it’s a simple case of an Aged Care or Disability worker, a child care worker, or a checkout operator marching up to the manager’s office and saying ‘Pay me $25 an hour instead of $18 or I’m out of here.”?
You clearly don’t know women who work in those jobs, and what the industries are like. Scream away and feel sick if you like, but that won’t make the very real issue of pay inequality go away. How arrogant and ill informed the first part of your comment is.What you said about Tony, I fully agree. Do you not see the connection between men such as Howard and potentially Abbott running our economy, and women in very important jobs earning substantially less than men in very important jobs?
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Sue February 2, 2012
Suzanne I would be interested in hearing exactly how you think the Opposition Leader would not only prevent the destruction that you suggest the Prime Minister is currently wreaking, but take us forward into the 21st century in a manner that shows humanity towards all citizens and also respects the rights of all citizens. Most women I know can’t see that happening.
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WENDY GREEN February 2, 2012
Could I respectfully suggest that everyone watches this … ?
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lisa February 2, 2012
Um, respectfully, I watched it… and…..? Was that supposed to change my view of Tony Abbott and/or my opinion about women’s reproductive rights?
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WENDY GREEN February 2, 2012
It was purely meant to inform.
I was surprised when I saw this clip myself and I think some of our girls on The Hoopla aren’t really aware of exactly what they are talking about in regards to abortion.
I don’t support Tony Abbott in any way, but this just gives another side to the debate.
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misskdonkey February 2, 2012
Thanks Tracey, I like your post.
To say I am anti Liberal wouldn’t be true but I am not a conservative. I think Tony Abbott is a religious zealot, and I think everything he does and says is coloured by this. I think he thinks there is a way that he can sway the electorate to his way of thinking, by making it more palatable. Dressing it up in a certain way or saying it differently. I don’t think he gets that we just don’t like what he says or thinks or believes- that we just don’t agree with him, that fundamentally we think he is wrong about a lot of things. -
Dan February 2, 2012
This is what I don’t understand about the current Liberal Party.
They’ve got the next election wrapped up – it’s not longer question of “if” they’ll win, it’s a question of “by how much”.
But Abbott still polls poorly, in terms of personal approval ratings. And as Tracey points out, in particular with women.
Turnbull, on the other hand, enjoys widespread popularity – particularly with women, and with swinging voters. Why not switch now, when there’s still plenty of time to gt over the shock of it all, and maximise the opportunity?
And it would be nice to have a PM that actually acknowledges global warming…
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Amelia February 2, 2012
I’ve never liked him. Always thought he was narrow minded and would be completely embarrassed if he was representing us on the world stage.
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MrsP2011 February 2, 2012
Lisa, it appears my comments have upset you and that was not my intention. Actually I do know what it is like to work in those industries. My first jobs were retail roles with Coles and David Jones and I have worked in retail fashion boutiques – one still owes me nearly $3,000 in salary. I have worked in child care where I was the centre administrator and didn’t get much more than the lovely, hard working child carers, and I have worked in the health care industry, both in a hospital as a ward clerk and in a nursing home as receptionist/secretary. None of those jobs were well paid by any stretch of the imagination. I’ve worked in the production side of television. At that time, we were extremely poorly paid, especially for the shifts we worked but I became a union delegate and together, we fought for, and won better rates of pay and penalty rates. So to call me arrogant and ill informed is actually quite wrong. I’ve done the hard yards too. Women have to acknowledge that they are a powerful force and it is being proven every day, in every way, in every country, in every field. So in saying that, women do have, and are proving, that they have the power individually to ask for equality for themselves and to be included in the level playing field. If that was not the case, we would still not have women bus drivers, women pilots, women working at the mines, women working alongside men in road repair and construction. Personally, I don’t know why women would want to do some of those jobs but they have fought for the choice to be included in those fields, among others, and won. That is the power of women. Women now have a choice in everything, for some it is just taking a little longer to get to their destination. And by the way, child care workers and aged care workers, although only around the $18 – $25 an hour rate now, have still come a long way in the past 10 years. As I remember then their rates, and mine, were around $8 to $10 an hour so they have covered quite a distance already even though there is a way to go. More recently, I have worked within the legal industry. You couldn’t get a more discriminatory bunch than male lawyers but I can tell you, women lawyers of today won’t put up with not having equal standing with their male colleagues. There’s a saying which couldn’t ring more true. “If you don’t ask, you don’t get”. I am not a feminist but I think the greatest disservice women can do to themselves is not to adopt the mantra “I am woman, Hear me roar”. Continue putting that into practice, and inequality will become a thing of the past. As far as T Abbott and J Howard are concerned, I do see the similarities – they are glaring – they don’t live in the real world.
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Sonja February 2, 2012
Well, I think Tony will be a brilliant PM and and I know many other women who agree! When was the last time you asked the women of Australia what they think of Julia? Hmm…
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Alexander February 2, 2012
I agree. He would be a good PM, I don’t understand why people won’t give him a chance to show what he can do. He can’t do worst than Gillard. Also I wonder how popular is Gillard towards men? She isn’t liked by Andrew Wilkie and Nick Xenophon at the moment.
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L C August 24, 2012
i must be on another planet how can any one like Tony Abbott i just have to look at him and i feel sick he is so slimy and those lips yuck i would not trust him as far as i can throw him
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Alexander February 2, 2012
I thought the article was of poor taste and based on someone’s opinion. Unless everyone on here has lived with Tony Abbott, then judging people based on what someone else has said is poor taste. All Tracey Spicier showed was she dislikes Tony Abbott for whatever reason. Most Labor people do. I would ask Tracey if she votes for Labor. Second the fact he has 3 daughters, sorry but I don’t buy he hates women. Daughters are usually more attached to their fathers than mothers. His a family man. So unless everyone on here is married with 3 daughter, don’t judge what he does in his private life. He also donates to charities, volunteers and spends time in indigenous communities and work with Noel Pearson
Also most people vote for the parties. Not everyone liked John Howard but they did vote for the party because of the policies they brought to the table or because they liked certain individuals attached to the party. Australia is nearly $250 Billion in debt. So to support any scheme would be to borrow more money from the banks. That is irresponsible considering the Euro is going to burst at some stage which might trigger another GFC mark 2. trying to pay back the debts should be the most important thing or end up in the same boat with Europe down the track. Once China stops buying our resources then where else does Australia get it’s profits from outside the mining sector? The rest of the economy is struggling except Western Australia because of it’s mining.
As for Gillard I don’t think she has been honest with anything. I don’t see Tony Abbott going around trying to create. The article should be is Gillard trying to ruin Australia. Westpac just cut 500 jobs and moved 150 offshore to India! She didn’t come out and say anything about that! Labor/Green Union run government is poisoning the country and the Member for Dobell misuse of credit cards for personal use while he still serving in parliament, is a worry for. How can anyone support this mob and then go around judging Tony Abbott as a person based on what women think? Who cares just vote for his policies. He isn’t the only one that works for the Liberal, there is a whole team you know. This is not a popularity contest. We want good government with good policies not increased taxes.
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liza March 7, 2012
Alexander,
The liberals will dig up anything and flog it even when they know that the results are catastrophic if we go on using fossil fuels.It is interesting that the sceptics are mostly older MEN and tend to be WHITE . Women can see that the future generations will be the ones to suffer as we keep on warming the planet. men often look back in history and wish they could carry on in the same vein.Tony Abbott cannot tell the truth even with a bible !
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Merran February 3, 2012
@Sonia. I am a woman of Australia and I voted for Julia and I would again. I will never vote for Tony Abbot. I also know many women who agree with me ie who would vote for Julia again. I do believe a lot of Australians still have difficulties with women as leaders. But have faith that over time that will change. So we will just see what unfolds Sonia and by the way I doubt that Tony Abbott will ever be prime minister. Hmmmm…?
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Alberta February 3, 2012
Tony Abbot is my idea of what a hired hit man would look like. Smooth suit, smirking smile which doesn’t reach his cold killer’s eyes.
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Alberta February 3, 2012
Another thing about polls. I think it should be a requirement that the polls indicate who they asked, where they live, and what were the questions.
You can get any result you like by demographics and slanted questions. -
dramaqueen75 February 3, 2012
I have noticed in the last ten years or so that the reporting and discussion of politics in Australia has focussed so much on the leaders and their personality and profile.
Talking to people I often hear them say – Oh, I won’t vote for Abbott or I won’t vote for Gillard…. People have lost sight of how our democratic processes work in Australia. We DO NOT have a presidential system.
I can honestly say I will not vote for Tony Abbott as I actually live in his electorate. If I did not I would have to change my language and state that I would not vote for a party lead by Tony Abbott. It’s an important distinction as so many people now fail to realise they are voting for a representative at a local level and not for a Prime Minister.
I know it is pedantic but it drives me crazy and causes so much confusion, particularly for young people.
Look, I am a lefty and a moderate greenie. I believe we have a responsibility to ensure that ever Australian, regardless of race, gender, age, income or ability has a equitable access to a fantastic education, health care and a safety net of housing and food. Many of the Liberal conservative policys do not gel with my personal philosophy – so I won’t vote for them, ever, even if I was disappointed with the left side of politics. Protest votes can lead to political instability, as we have seen in this current government.
I could never vote for Abbott (or any party he leads) as I find the right wing misogynistic nonsense he sprouts – all while trying to show himself an average guy hanging out in a factory or the local butchers- makes my skin crawl.
So yes – I am a woman and I have a big problem with him
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Deborah February 3, 2012
Does anyone think that the ‘cult of celebrity’ has become so entrenched that it has encouraged many of us to vote for a ‘person,’ not a party with policies?
And maybe therefore it follows that perhaps Tony Abbot realizes he doesn’t need to have any policies if he can be the most popular celebrity/politician?
This is a man who seems to have done everything to be seen as the stereotype ‘regular Aussie bloke.’ Despite his extensive and privileged education, some of it overseas. I think he senses, or is being told by his pr, that ‘blokes in red budgie smugglers sell.’ He’s just all show (I mean he’s left very little to the imagination after all) and no substance — as yet. Damned if I’m voting for a totally unknown quantity when it comes to policies. This goes for the man and the party he leads as well.
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Rosie February 4, 2012
Let’s not get too side-tracked here – the article is about womens’ gut feelings about the man. And yes, we are allowed to have an opinion whether we have met him or not. And we don’t need anti-abortion propaganda films to be thrust upon us in these comments. The article was not about who was going to win the next election nor was it about Julia Gillard. I believe neither will be leading their respective parties at the next election.
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Deborah February 4, 2012
Oh damn. Rosie, am I the only person left in Australia that still likes our current PM and would like to see her lead the labor party to the next election. Which is still quite a way off, isn’t it?
It feels like that since she was elected we’ve been talking about the next election like it was just around the corner.
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Molly February 4, 2012
Julia Gillard makes me cringe… Finally we get the top job and she is a failure!
Bring on Mr Turnbull!
Thanks for your biased article Tracy.. Should be interesting to read your articles around election time…not! -
Elsie ennis February 4, 2012
can not stand Tony Abbot his flabby lips make me sick i only have to see his face and my whole day is spoilt each word out of has mouth is a lie he must spend a lot of time in the confession box
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Sue B February 5, 2012
He is not the brightest bulb in the box.
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Deborah February 6, 2012
When Mr Turnbull ran for parliament his wife Lucy sent out a lovely letter to everyone in his electorate telling us what a wonderful guy he was and all that he’d achieved in his life. We were left in no doubt she obviously approved of him. I remember thinking that if I was running for parliament I’d cringe to have my husband send out a letter to voters detailing my achievements and his approval of me. That’s something I could do on my own, thank you very much!
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molly February 6, 2012
thats probably one of the weirdest responses I have ever read … his wife supported him.. how terrible!
Ever heard of Michelle Obama?? I see her face more than I see his…which I think is part and parcel of politics.. hmmm strange..
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molly February 6, 2012
I dont know… maybe I just dont get into the he vs she etc.. but I agree in regard to if a male did this then it would be seen as a sexist, paternalistic thing to do…. which is sad really. Support is support, but I think we know that it would be mostly woman being the judgemental ones in regard to that.
Have we just become over sensative in regard to all of this?I make no secret of the fact that I will not vote for this government in the last, next or future elections, but I will say – I loved the fact that Mr Rudds wife was a success in her own right – I love the fact that Ms Gillard isnt married but still has the top job. No Children… WOW… even better.
And I kinda like that Mr Turnbulls wife wrote that message… it is what it is.
I dont vote for their partners – but I like to look at the whole picture.And yep – Michelle Obama – her arms are awesome!!
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Brindabella February 6, 2012
Gut reaction – ‘creepy’ (i.e. scarey-creepy).
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Tracy February 21, 2012
Oh Tracey, I think you’re wonderful! I find myself agreeing with, and often cheering for, just about everything you say. Yes T.A. ‘creeps me out’ too – I can’t even say his name! However, I am ‘pearl-wearing’ too…. can a woman do both?! … I breastfeed in public, does that help? Keep up the good work xx
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Tracy February 21, 2012
Oh Tracey, I think you’re wonderful! I find myself agreeing with, and often cheering for, just about everything you say. Yes T.A. ‘creeps me out’ too – I can’t even say his name! However, I am ‘pearl-wearing’ too…. can a woman do both?! … I breastfeed in public, does that help? Keep up the good work xx
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Mez May 4, 2012
Emily’s List at work. Tracey, this article is so transparent. As a woman, mother of three daughters and aunt to a dozen others, I have no qualms about Tony Abbott at all. A Rhodes scholar, a married man with three strong, confident, educated daughters, life saver, volunteer fire fighter, advocate for Aboriginals … an ordinary man who is far from ordinary and we’re lucky to have him.
We are in no more danger of Tony Abbott high jacking our reproductive rights than we are of Julia Gillard outlawing marriage, childbirth or fidelity.
What a fine example she is to our young girls. Go after what you want at any cost – even if it’s someone else’s husband. As her parents said, ‘what Julia wants, Juliar gets.’
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L C May 6, 2012
Tony Abbott gives me the creeps he would make a good vampire his flappy lips yuck he is no good and will harm Australia if he gets to be PM you may not like Julia Gillard but she is doing ok i wish she was able to get on with her job iwill back her all the way
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Catherine Phillips May 29, 2012
I know that I am playing the man and not the ball but I have 2 reasons for my squeamish reaction to Mr Abbott. Firstly, he appeared in bike shorts at my daughters school to present an Australian flag for Anzac Day Celebrations about 8 years ago. I do not want to know his nether regions that well! Secondly, he trades way too much on his Catholicism and he has been far too personally involved with B A Santamaria and Cardinal George Pell. I find this very distasteful and I am Catholic!
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Jason January 29, 2013
If Abbot is allegedly such a misogynist how come he approved prohibitively expensive breast cancer medications on the PBS when he was health minister. The previous and current ALP government had and continues to refuse to give government funding for expensive anti-breast cancer medication and treatments. In fact it is the Gillard ALP/Green coalition that has just reduced and taken away benefits for single mother benefits.
