As photos of PM Julia Gillard wearing a flak jacket and chatting with the Aussie troops in Afghanistan surfaced in the papers, Tony Abbott was MIA. Where was the Opposition Leader? Catching up on sleep.
Abbott — who was heading over to the UK to meet with David Cameron — didn’t stop over on his way to Europe as Gillard had, although he was invited. Why not? “I thought it important to do this trip [to London] justice, and I didn’t want to get here in an entirely jet-lagged condition,” he admitted. Cue national panning of Abbott, who campaigned during the last election once for 36 hours without sleep.
To his credit, Abbott already had a later date locked in to go and visit troops in Afghanistan and is furious that Julia Gillard — who denies leaking the “jetlag” excuse — is making political capital of the trouble. “I don’t think anyone should politicise anyone’s commitment to Afghanistan, there’s been bipartisan support, I think our troops deserve bipartisan support, I don’t question her commitment to troops I don’t think she should question mine,” said Abbott.
Families of Aussie diggers killed in the Afghanistan were unimpressed. As was the collective commentariat.
Valid excuse or total cop-out? Here’s what the pundits are saying.
The Age
Michelle Grattan: Abbott makes himself look ridiculous
But Abbott managed to make himself appear ridiculous… Despite the convention of not mentioning a coming visit, it would have been better for Abbott to have been franker about his planned trip.
Yuko Narushima: Action man Abbott’s jetlag excuse makes mockery of election marathon
It’s an understandable human need but hard to sell politically when party colleagues are calling for more troops in Afghanistan and after a campaign spent linking a desire to rest to the unambitious.
The Australian
Samantha Maiden: Ironman Tony goes missing in action
People skills, people skills, where have you been.
The Courier-Mail
Dennis Atkins: Abbott’s poor excuse for a leader
You can imagine what Coalition MPs and their supporters would say if a Labor politician – let alone a leader – had used that excuse for passing up a visit to the front-line.
Herald Sun
Andrew Bolt: Julia Gillard loses no sleep over her mockery of Tony Abbott
Yes, Abbott spoke stupidly, realising he could not defend himself with the truth. And Gillard trapped him beautifully in her ambush.
But here’s the bottom line: what does this say about Gillard’s morals, that to make a political point she would risk exposing Abbott and the soldiers protecting him to greater danger?
As usual Mr Bolt leaves no stone unturned in defending the Coalition. Tony Abbot made a mistake it must be Julia Gillard’s fault.
I suggest Mr Bolt if you are reading Crikey to see what is being said you consider Denis Atkins opinion in the Courier Mail.
What I find amusing is the amount of spin in that opinion piece by Mr Bolt, if only he played cricket we could have had another Shane Warne.
GUYTAUR
Andrew Bolt’s really on Planet Paranoid trying to spin this one. Julia’s trying to get Tony shot indead.
C’mon Andrew, Abbott’s next triumphal Afghan photo-op will be in perfectly safe cammo-Kevlar budgie smugglers.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/opinion-old/julia-gillard-loses-no-sleep-over-her-mockery-of-tony-abbott/story-e6frfifx-1225934616609
“But here’s the bottom line: what does this say about Gillard’s morals, that to make a political point she would risk exposing Abbott and the soldiers protecting him to greater danger?”
It is all about respect. The only person Abbott has any interest in is himself.
I don’t even see why Abbott considered meeting his UK cronies so important apart from pandering to his inflated ego. Watching him defend his decision not to visit the troops late last night came across as totally lame and not very genuine. If he cannot support our troops in this small way – what chance has the average Aussie got if he ever became PM.
Mr. Bolt, whatever hallucinogens you have been taking, you should cease immediately.