Tony Abbott's Big Week

[Matilda]

Last edited Thu Jul 10, 2014, 12:48 AM - Edit history (1)

In a week where Tony Abbott believed he would be basking in glory, everything went wrong, all because of his ineptitude. Or, as Penny Wong said in the Senate today, "the Abbott government's unique combination of arrogance and incompetence".

First came the visit of Japan's Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe. Abbott seemed to be blissfully unaware of the blunders he was making, but they went viral on social media, if all but airbrushed out by the MSM.

First, when Mr Abe addressed a joint sitting of the two Houses of Parliament, both he and Opposition Leader Bill Shorten followed correct protocol and prefaced their speeches by acknowledging the traditional (Indigenous) owners of the land. Mr Abbott did not acknowledge the first owners at all.

During his speech, Abbott managed to slip in a reference to "Japan's wartime efficiency". Yep, they ran those camps and death marches very efficiently indeed. A nice slap in the face for the thousands of victims and their relatives (my own late father-in-law was one of the survivors).

And in a not unusual gaffe, Abbott referred to the visiting PM as "Shinzo". No class - it's Prime Minister Abe, you clown.

And today, Thursday, Mr Abbott announced this morning that the carbon tax would be repealed by 12.00 pm. Shortly afterwards, Clive Palmer fronted the press corps to let us know that no, it wouldn't be repealed; not today at any rate. And thanks to a Labor, Greens, PUP alliance, together with Ricky Muir of the Australian Motorists Party, the motion was defeated in the Senate. Unlikely bedfellows, but what fun!

Abbott doesn't take kindly to being thwarted, as we know, but he has yet to make an appearance. Given his dislike of tough questions, he may remain hidden for some time.

And over it all, there is a question being asked, "Where's Margie?" Mrs Abbott hasn't been seen at all during Mr Abe's visit, adding fuel to the rumours that the couple have split. Most unusual for a spouse not to accompany her husband during official functions.

All in all, it couldn't happen to a more deserving person. Do you want fries with your Double Dissolution, Tony?


Edit to add: Abbott's exact words on Japan's WWII actions: "We admired the skill and sense of honour that they brought to their task although we disagreed with what they did". Thanks to a fellow Tweeter for the exact wording.

[Matilda]

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