The Australian politics thread

[Spark]

Angry Gillard is angry.

[Dan]

"[...] another day of shame for a government which should already have died of shame." - Tony Abbott

Stay classy, Tony.

[Spark]

Yeah I think Tony might have crossed a line with that. That speech from Gillard was as personal and vitriolic as they come - a kind of "get-it-all-off-your-chest" speech. I don't know the last time I saw a major politician get so singularly angry, and it really does alarm me.

[Jono]

Pretty surprised Tony said "died of shame". Would have thought he'd want to avoid any association with the words "die" and "shame" in the same sentence.

[Spark]

It's gotta be an inadvertent ****up, cannot imagine that he actually thought it would be a good idea to say that. Just repeating a line he's said really often.

But I think he accidentally crossed a line and took us to a very, very nasty place. There's confected political outrage and then there's genuine personal hatred. Today smacked more of the latter from Gillard.

[Redbacks]

Originally Posted by Spark

Angry Gillard is angry.

Being on track to lose 30 seats will do that to you.

[Burgey]

Good. I'm glad she's angry.

[howardj]

First it's Reinhardt on the ballot paper

Then Clive

Then Jonesy....

Then the thudding reality of Newspoll

It's actually Gillard on the ballot paper, and that's the problem

Gone by Christmas, indeed

[Burgey]

He will be. I stand by it.

Even if you like him, he's admitted tonight he has the memory of a goldfish. He's incapable of leading the country.

[Dan]

Originally Posted by Spark

It's gotta be an inadvertent ****up, cannot imagine that he actually thought it would be a good idea to say that. Just repeating a line he's said really often.

But I think he accidentally crossed a line and took us to a very, very nasty place. There's confected political outrage and then there's genuine personal hatred. Today smacked more of the latter from Gillard.

You would think the Leader of the Opposition would be more careful in avoiding phrases that have been made incredibly offensive, especially given he's the one looking to represent our country on an international scale. Needs to think before he talks.

And all things considered, I think Gillard has a right to be vitriolic and generally pissed off at Abbott for it; the entire media and online community has crucified Jones for his comments, and now Abbott's essentially supporting them by using the same phrase. It's incredibly insensitive and has no place in political debate. I don't give a **** whether someone's Liberal or Labor, you DO NOT insult their family, especially days after they've passed away. And, even as a political opponent, echoing the comment - regardless of context - is morally unacceptable.

If the roles were reversed, my opinion wouldn't change.

[howardj]

She is so affronted by sexism she clings to Slipper like a leach

She is a cold political machine - and everybody but Labor diehards know it

[Burgey]

It's ok, Tony went on radio this arvo and said his "dying of shame" remarks had nothing to do with the PM or Jones, he's "completely forgotten" about the Jones remark.

It's bull**** of course, but if you choose to believe it, then feel free to elect a bloke who can't remember the biggest political kerfuffle of the past week.

They trotted Margie out a week too early, it seems.

[Jono]

Just saw the Gillard rant.

The chamber was quiet for much of her speech.

Intense viewing.

[Burgey]

Slipper resigining as Speaker aws.

[Spark]

Odd day.

EDIT: Big fan of Albo but that was not his finest hour.

EDIT2: I think JG's popularity may have just shot up massive abroad, oddly, if what I'm seeing on Twitter is any evidence.