Is this the Abbott-killer that Labor’s been waiting for?

Brad of Bentleigh says:

06:44pm | 08/02/11

ep, and I thought Leo was one of the better contributors to the Punch… making something out of this is an absolute disgrace… this wasn’t a gaff, this was a conversation, with the “shit happens” comment (said with obvious solemnity) was quite apt.

If this is the bet Abbots detractors can come up with as an attack, he;s doing very well. Leo, shame on you, this article is beneath you!

John A Neve says:

06:58pm | 08/02/11

Sadly this not about what Tony said, rather it’s about the head twitching and no comment that followed. Tony simply lost it, he obviously cannot handle pressure.
PM material is isn’t, I thought at one stage he was going to cry.

Rosie says:

07:15pm | 08/02/11

I totally agree and am mortified at the fact we have Australians amongst us that would stoop so low and use the death of one of our brave diggers just to justify the supposedly personality of another very well known Australian.

Leo I am so disppointed, I thought you were better than this. Sorry Punch absolutely disgusted with the fact you would allow such publicity.

Thanks but no thanks, this is nothing but gutter politics and will never be part of it.

Rosie says:

07:18pm | 08/02/11

Sorry I meant gutter journalism!

Steve of Cornubia says:

07:26pm | 08/02/11

@John A Neve: my God, you lefties know no shame, and no depths are too low, such is your bitter hatred. How you can accuse ANYBODY, let alone your nemesis, of such failings when the matter at hand is so serious just beggars belief. Shame on you.

This piece is similarly shameful, as was the coverage of the matter on TV this evening. If anybody was in any doubt as to the bias of Australia’s media, then surely now they can see what a shower the majority of our ‘journalists’ are.

However, like the abysmal mis-reading of the public’s likely reaction to Abbott’s hopes for his daughters last year, I reckon the MSM’s beat-up of this one will actually show Abbott, once again, to be nothing more than a genuine, open and honest bloke striving to be a good person.

Phil S says:

08:20pm | 08/02/11

To all those whining about this article, the writer isn’t picking on eside or the other. He is discussing the fallout from the media circus generated by the initial report.

Can Labor capitalise on a possible mistake?
Can LNP use it to make people feel like Abbott has been abused by the media, and thus curry support?

These are questions people should think about. Unfortunately, so many here don’t want to think, and instead blindly trot out whatever justification they tell themselves at night for just voting the way they always have, and the way their parents and grandparents always voted.

If you EVER think a politician is being honest and open, you’ve been taken for a fool. They NEVER are. Never. They all have some agenda, that benefits them personally, and they just use the public to get what they want.

As an example of Tony Abbott lying: Take the NBN where he fails to understand the policy (he has no idea how it is being funded, and so much of the propaganda he spreads is a complete lie). He also fails to have a vision for the country in this regard, and instead of trying to understand, just wants to destroy it. Who wants a leader who destroys what they don’t understand? Then again are Labor or the greens a better alternative?

Think people, for the sake of your children. Or at least teach them to think, and discourage them from forming the same opinions you have so they can make up their own damn mind instead of being indoctrinated by whatever side of politics you hail from.

Bob the cruiser says:

08:34pm | 08/02/11

“out of context” is wearing thin Mr Abbott

Rob r Charteris says:

08:39pm | 08/02/11

Rosie says:07:15pm; what a pathetic piece of crap you have written.

rAbbott has again shown his true colours of that of a wanker. If Julia
had said the same thing you would be calling for blood, red skin.

Braden of Brighton. says:

08:43pm | 08/02/11

I don’t think too highly of his choice of words for a leader, poor.
IMO intimidated by the occaision of the military, ‘macho’, like Latham.  Walks like a Bogan, with the side ti side swagger. 
Why can’t he just be himself?  He always seems to be putting on an Image of some sort.  Not genuine to me. Not Prime Minister type.
Bring in Joe, quick before this guy wrecks the gains made.  someone who can think & speak on his feet.  We need someone, who make it clear that labour & that Baron Woman, cannot handle the Leadership game.

Braden of Brighton. says:

08:44pm | 08/02/11

I don’t think too highly of his choice of words for a leader, poor.
IMO intimidated by the occaision of the military, ‘macho’, like Latham.  Walks like a Bogan, with the side ti side swagger. 
Why can’t he just be himself?  He always seems to be putting on an Image of some sort.  Not genuine to me. Not Prime Minister type.
Bring in Joe, quick before this guy wrecks the gains made.  someone who can think & speak on his feet.  We need someone, who make it clear that labour & that Baron Woman, cannot handle the Leadership game.

Bearman says:

08:45pm | 08/02/11

I wonder if Ch7 showed the footage to the widow first?  Did they ask for her ok to run with the story, knowing it would open wounds so soon after her brave husbands death?  Did they bother to give her any warning, to prepare her kids for the effect this would have.

I feel for Tony, and i can understand being speechless after being accused of something so terrible, but my heart is for the family of the young soldier, who’s death is being used in such a disgusting way.

This site is often the location of heated exchanges between supporters of all sides.  I do hope that before it gets out of hand people stop and think, not about Abbott, nor the Libs, ALP, Greens, The War on Terror, etc but think of the family, and what this will do to them. 

Abbott has already spoken to her according to news.com.au, and if their report is accurate, she has no problems with what Tony said.  That should be enough for everyone.

Dump the team at 7 who did this, leave the story in the gutter where it belongs, and move on.  There is enough material for both sides to fling at each other without having to dishonor the memory of a digger.

Faz says:

08:58pm | 08/02/11

@ John A Neve

I agree. I actually think ‘shit happens’ in context is not necessarily a bad thing albeit in a blokey sort of way. But when you say something like that, even for the best of reasons, you run a high risk that it could offend people and be taken out of context. Every time he has a microphone anywhere near him, he’s potentially talking to the nation. That’s part of the gig and he’s got burnt before and he could quite easily have empathised with the soldiers without taking that risk.

But it’s the silence that’s the killer. There are much worst journalists around than Mark Riley and much more underhand tricks. Apparently also TA and his team must have some incling that this was possible given their attempt to stop it getting aired. They could have had a defence ready to go, some sort of contingency. Anything but excruciating silence.

It will be interesting to see how Labor handles it. I’m not sure they can make it any worse for TA and they may even make it better if they’re not careful.

Momentum has turned on much less; think about that Mark Latham handshake.

james says:

09:16pm | 08/02/11

God help us.. are these the kind of sub-rate journalists universities are churning out these days? Self-indulgent, myopic trash “journalism” at its worst.

matilda says:

09:30pm | 08/02/11

I would suggest that Abbott was shaking with rage and probably really wanted to hit the journalist. Low level journalism from Ch7 and Leo.

Malcolm says:

09:34pm | 08/02/11

Abbotts attitude to an Australian soldiers death is a disgrace.If the Liberal Party had any decency he would be replaced as Leader immediately.However I suspect that Abbotts attitude that “Shit happens” to soldiers is probably common among many politicians who send soldiers to unneccessary wars like Iraq and Afganistan.I can imagine hearing Churchill saying “Shit Happens” when he heard about the soldiers deaths at Gallipol.

Karen Stephenson says:

11:17pm | 08/02/11

No >Steve of Cornubia you Righties would have had a absolute field day if this had been Julia Gillards gaffe and not the Mad Monk Abbott.And if any of you have ever watched Mark Rilly every single story he has produced in the last 18 months he’s either ridiculed Rudd or Gillard.

elhombre says:

11:34pm | 08/02/11

Hey Malcolm, can you read? Or are you one of the labor slugs that are tramping the memory of the dead soldier in the mud hoping to score a point? This is certainly a defining point, it defines the sickening depths the labor party will go to. Anyone over the age of 25 that votes ALP should be shot treason.

Expat says:

12:22am | 09/02/11

Hilarious Freudian slip, Rosie, and rank hypocrisy at its worst given that you’re well known for repeatedly trying to make political attacks from the Christmas Island and Queensland flood tragedies.

Anon says:

12:53am | 09/02/11

John A Neve - the head twitching was NOT because Abbot had ‘lost it’ - he wasn’t about to cry - he was going to punch the idiot Riley in the mouth - and that is exactly what he deserved!

Abbott was furious and he had every right to be. He has been portrayed as being insensitive to the sacrifice of a young soldier and there are few Australians who would take that insult lightly - wouldn’t you agree, John A?

Channel Seven’s website is inundated with complaints.

This was one of the most disgusting pieces of journalism I have ever witnessed.

They insulted a decent and honourable man, they invaded the privacy of the family of a fallen soldier and they treated the public with contempt and revealed the fools they believe us to be.

The question is WHY?

They were obviously told to drum something up to get the heat off the government so the public is distracted while Parliament sits.

Is this because of the 250 million of taxpayer dollars so generously donated by Kev? A kind of ‘Cash for Comments’ rort?

Its past time the media started answering questions - I want some answers - NOW!

Gregg says:

01:08am | 09/02/11

@ J Neve and Faz,
I doubt if you guys have had anger in you about an act beyond being reprehensible have you.
A reporter for whatever reason wants to attempt to make something out of some footage when Tony Abbott has been talking to some military guys and relate it to whatever in as bad a way as he can try and make it.
That is what sensationalist media do.

If you look at the likes of Rudd who could have just as likely flown into a rage given his performances, or Gillard who would want to laugh it off with a Ho ho, you do not expect me to talk about that do you and you know her favourite line on willingness to talk about that evening with Rudd, Tony handled the situation as well as anyone could.

He told the reporter he was taking something out of context and didn’t b;ow up but looked that reporter in the eye as a man would do and if you have ever been in that situation of feeling anger about someone stooping so low, you might just know what that form of nodding is saying to someone, better than a thousand ” you know what you are don’t you? “
Mark Riley or whatever his name got what he deserved and Tony Abbot can stand proud.
Shame on Riley and Seven and anyone else involved in attempting to make something out of this.

Douglas says:

04:02am | 09/02/11

I trust everybody saw Abbott’s 80 seconds of creepy, head-nodding, mute rage. So why all the excuses for him? This is someone who cannot handle pressure. He’s had the easiest run possible from the media all these months. But the moment the questions get a bit tough he wants to punch the interviewer’s lights out! This character should never be PM! Bye bye Abbott. Please seek help.

Reg says:

06:24am | 09/02/11

It seems dear Rosie just fell out of her rocker with fury. Hilarious.

acotrel says:

06:28am | 09/02/11

A few years ago, I was involved in writing ‘guide to managing risk in motor sport’ in conjunction with the standards association, and the sport controlling bodies, coroners, and police.  During the proceedings, it was suggested the phrase ‘shit happens’ should be written into the Australian Standard on risk management.  You can take every measure to control risk, but the said phrase still describes a possible outcome.  Tony’s use of the phrase was unfortunate, but correct.  It might have sounded callous, but it’s a fact of life. It’s difficult for all of us to rationalise the death of one of our soldiers in a foreign land.  There is a lot of emotion involved, and Tony himself provokes emotional responses.  We just have to learn to live with him for the time being.

axel white says:

06:29am | 09/02/11

That reporter is lucky Tony Abbott didn’t deck him.
I won’t be watching that program ever again.
Gutter journalism at it’s best.
Funny how it came out on the same day Gillard was seen to be a fake.

Reg says:

06:38am | 09/02/11

Hey Greggie, a journalist who risks his profession by offering himself as a victim to a politician in order to delve deeper into his psyche, is a hero.

Tony Abbott failed miserably in not reducing the journalist to dust with his repartee, such as it is. Treat every microphone you can see, or can’t see, as live.

Scott H says:

06:50am | 09/02/11

Something like this was bound to happen to Abbott. He’s too empty-headed to know when to keep his mouth shut and too insensitive to know what to say in delicate situations. This article is an attempt to spin away Abbott’s insensitivity towards the “little people” and his own stupidity. If this earns him the sideline, then he has no-one to blame but himself.

Rob r Charteris says:

07:03am | 09/02/11

Isn’t it funny how these snivelling lib’s like Gregg, anon and others are now trying to turn rAbbott’s ridiculously insensitive comments into Julia Gillards fault, what a joke!!! Oh so out of touch you are… Like your leader you are pitiful excuses for humans… I don’t even believe you’re Australian. Hell I wasn’t even born here and I’m more Australian than any of you snivel’ers will ever be. You will just have to except rAbbott is a wanker and that is all he will ever be.

Joan says:

07:21am | 09/02/11

The pic I saw was Mark Riley who looked like a pathetic little school boy, trying to make a point, then stood dumb, squirming as Abbott ignored him .  More politicians should ignore dumb reporters such as Mark Riley trying to make something of nothing, reporters trying to make s story of something that isn’t a story. In this case a story from a tragic death - just two words out of many that Mark Riley has twisted into some sort analysis for his own professional gain not taking into account the soldiers death, his wife and relatives. The story is the pathetic Mark Riley trying to scrore a point for himself.  We all have seen Abbott over the years attending funerals of soldiers through TV coverage and in words or manner Abbott has never said anything that looked like taking any death of a soldier lightly, the only person to do so is Mike Riley for personal gain

JT says:

07:22am | 09/02/11

It seems there is one rule for the Liberals when it comes to making spurious slurs. John Hewson said of Tony Abbott that his strategy is to make an outrageous claim and then back away from it the next day, looking to slander opponents with half-truths. One only has to watch Christopher Pyne for the way the LIberal party tries to link up and blur the lines between many issues, a pure master of spin. With this issue, however, it is not innuendo, it is on tape. It is rather ironic that on the first day of question time that sh*t is about to happen to Tony, watch out it doesn’t claim your political life Tony, now that is some serious sh*t….

Anne Scott says:

07:24am | 09/02/11

Tony only lost in in the reply because he was so angry - and I don’t blame him.  I wish he had knocked that low life Reilly head over turkey.  Shame shame shame Channel 7 and Mark Reilly

Christian Real says:

07:31am | 09/02/11

elhombre
Your comment shows why you should not even be called an Australian, and it shows also the typical riff raff that support the Liberal party,
Go away with your Neo-Nazi ideas of “Anyone over the age of 25 that votes ALP should be taken out and shot”
This is something that might have occurred in Nazi Germany, but it should not be raising it’s ugly head here in a democratic Country like Australia.
If this is the idealism of the Liberal party and their supporters then they do not belong in our Parliament or in our Country.
Next ,you will be raising the Nazi flag as well as goose-stepping to the Liberal Opposition Leader.

John A Neve says:

07:53am | 09/02/11

I will ignore all the name calling and vitriol my post has aroused in some sad, very sad posters.

The fact remains, Tony lays claim to being an alternative leader of our country! Based on his performance No Way, he lost it for all to see.

Tom says:

07:54am | 09/02/11

What a disgusting lot of acrimonious creeps you labor bloggers and slavering journos are. Why don’t you pay more attention to what your dills are doing to destroy the lives of every day Australians with their power at all costs Hawker Britton spin.

No-one and nothing is sacred to you. SHAME on the lot of you. Your children and grandchildren have to grow up in this country. They are the ones who will end up paying for your behaviour.

Reg says:

07:59am | 09/02/11

Storm… meet teacup. I believe you have met before…

Rodgers says:

08:26am | 09/02/11

Readers need to be able to trust their journalists. With fake story’s like this one, it becomes very difficult to believe that these media types are telling us the truth on anything.

Joan says:

08:54am | 09/02/11

Christian Real…. always one like you when you have no real persuasive argument related to topic resort to Godwins` Law.

Joan says:

09:06am | 09/02/11

John A Neve….. School boy Riley was lucky that Abbott kept his cool and didn’t slug him one….. . More seriously and tragically more soldiers have died on the field during Labor`s watch than during Liberal watch. That`s what we should be talking about today…..the war in Afghanistan and the unnecessary loss of life of Australian soldiers there when Afganhi young men choose to run away to Gillards Christmas Island retreat.

Douglas says:

09:28am | 09/02/11

The number of commenters who are flooding blogs and talkback calls with the line:

“I’ve got no time for Tony Abbott but this is gutter journalism”.

I smell a rat. Actually I smell a right wing propaganda campaign.

Joan says:

09:57am | 09/02/11

Douglas; the only dead rat the people of Australia smell ... is Riley linking a comment made by a grave earnest Abbott on the field months ago with a recent soldier`s death and his family.  The media and Labor continue to treat Australians as fools… Riley and `shit happens` and Gillard with her staged performance in parliament ... Australian flag as a prop and crocodile tears. Today everywhere people are saying loud and clear to media and Labor…. STOP treating us like fools- we are not as stupid as you would like us to be

Christian Real says:

10:07am | 09/02/11

Joan,
I was respondong to a comment by elhombre, and by your attack on me it appears that condone elhombre’s comment “Anyone over the age of 25 that votes ALP should be shot for treason”
This is an Un-Australian remark in a democratic Country like Australia, and if this is the kind of diatribe that the Liberal supporters are being drip-fed by the Liberal party that they support, then there is no place in Australia or in the Australian Parliament where these kinds of idealism should exist.

Michael N says:

10:31am | 09/02/11

Leo, you have been properly vindicated by the number of comments your article has attracted. Good work.

As for Abbott’s comment, the question is not whether it was taken out of context (it appears that ti was) but his reaction to it. While point scoring off a fallen Australian’s death is abhorrent, it is no more acceptable to cover up Abbott’s failings by hiding behind such a line.

As untasteful as it may seem to some, this is the perfect catalyst to assess Tony’s suitability for leadership and it is unhelpful to dismiss the whole affair on the grounds that a soldiers death is being politicised.

What is being politicised is Abbott’s ability to handle pressure and to lead by example. This is far too important an issue to to ignore.

Gregg says:

11:52am | 09/02/11

@Reg,
And as I’ve put elsewhere, silence can be golden and even more, perhaps respect there too for where could have it gone with a verbal sparring?
Has Riley or anyone from Seven rung the soldier’s widow do you reckon!
Riley and Seven have shit all over them Reggie.

If Gillard has any compassion as she has attempted to show, she would even ring the widow and take Seven to task.

Gayle says:

12:45pm | 09/02/11

Fully agree with your comment Chris, Once again the media are creating news rather than reporting it, Abbott was in my opinion totally disgusted with Mark Riley and that was the reason that he didn’t answer.
Shame there wasn’t an ex digger there they would have put Riley in his place which would have been back in the gutter

Joan says:

01:11pm | 09/02/11

Christian Real…..get real…. nowhere did I condone or comment on wh Ehombre views ... your imagination is working overtime ... a string of ramblings and inventions..

Christian Real says:

03:19pm | 09/02/11

Douglas,
Perusing through some of these comments by the Liberal supporters,show that some of them appear the need to seek help themselves along with Tony Abbott
Perhaps they could all get a discount for group therapy

Reg says:

04:49pm | 09/02/11

No they haven’t Gregg.

Tony was so embarrassed by the prominence of his ejaculation, that he failed to seen that he was being invited to deliver the Yank explanation for the failure of support.

Instead he let them off easily by saying “shit happens.” Of course it does but he was the man on the spot and should have been able to call the failing general-ship to task and thence to deliver the result to the Australian people. No wonder he’s upset, a triple fail Tony.

And a big big fail to lots of Australians too, amongst whom are the ever loquacious Timmy and his right-winged mates.

Brad Coward says:

05:40pm | 09/02/11

How do you kill off the media circus ?  Stop selling tickets !

Joan says:

07:28pm | 09/02/11

Reg, Real and Douglas….. At least Abbott didn’t turn up to interview draped in Aussie flag, snivelling into it , Gillard style, Labor style. It takes more nerve to stare down your adversary than snivelling,draped in Australian flag.

Mattb says:

09:07pm | 09/02/11

Yeah, channel seven made Tony say it, channel seven made Tony nod his head his head and look like a twit, the labor party is responsible for Tony’s email last week, the unions made Tony say those things about Bernie, it was julia gillard’s fault that Tony had ‘jet lag’.........

Can’t wait to see who the liberal voting hacks blame this latest ‘abbott episode’ on.

Oh wait, I see, I dont have to

All I need to do is scroll down the page

So predictable

It’s the main reason I log onto the punch and the reason I want Tony Abbott to remain the leader of the liberal party, I’m guaranteed to read articles like this and the hilarious excuses the liberal voting twits are going to use defend TA with.

After all, it entertainment I’m after, I mean, I don’t honestly believe what I write here is going to change anyone else’s conflicting opinion,
do you???....

Reg says:

05:56am | 10/02/11

@Joan ... Sorry dear you can’t save face by resorting to still more factious oratory. Tony “fu**** up bad” by failing to put the pressure on the Yanks and now you choose the school-yard tactic of pointing and running.

Your tactics of diversion are revealed for all to see sweetness.

im says:

09:30pm | 08/02/11

shabby journalism no worse than that, no regards for the widow or parents of Jarred. you skhame us all

Douglas says:

04:52am | 09/02/11

It is poor journalism that has given Abbott the easy ride for so long.

If any other leader had committed one of his many gaffes the media pack would have booed them off the political stage right away.

But not Abbott. He got free pass after free pass.

Remember his “Guided Democracy” comment.(Where he professes a preference for nascent fascism)

When he used ‘the rapists defence’ to describe the Prime Minister: “When she said no I thought she meant no.”

The Liberal Party’s ELEVEN BILLION DOLLAR costings black hole. (“The Story” of the election campaign, which was brushed under the carpet by the Abbott-compliant media)

Abbott’s “daughters and virginity” remarks.

His parading around for the cameras in his underwear ... sorry, “budgies”.

His pattern of stalking out of press conferences when the questions get a bit tricky.

His incessant chanting of three-word slogans which was never once queried or cirticised by the biased media.

The media should hang their heads in shame for propping him up for so long. Just think, the media’s contribution to his cause almost foisted this unhinged character on us as PM!!!

Christian Real says:

05:30am | 09/02/11

Tony Abbott cannot be taken seriously,he has erred big time and shown utter contempt towards our brave troops who have lost their lives for our Country.
A dispicable act, by a dispicable Opposition Leader ,and he should resign immediately over his ill thought words and his response and action when confronted with the truth by mark Riley.

Christian Real says:

05:37am | 09/02/11

Abbott was caught out cold, and his ill thought of words has cam back to bite him on the bum.
Those that are attempting to defend Tony Abbott are no better than he is, and should be ashamed to even continue to call themselves Australians.
Abbott, by his words, has shown and displayed utter contempt and disregard for our brave troops overseas who have lost their lives for our Country.

Reg says:

06:20am | 09/02/11

I think that the widow accepted his explanation is sufficient. However there no doubt he’d have applied the self-same description to the Queensland floods.

On the other hand, the prolonged silence in the the interview was a display of the punch-drunk Tones we have come to know and love.

Wendy says:

06:40am | 09/02/11

You are right Brad and I am absoulutely disgusted at the media for this beat up. How low can they go.  They have no respect and no forethought about how this could affect the soldiers family. What has happened to journalism in Australia it seems to have gone to the pits. Channel 7 should never have put this to air.

Dobbieb says:

07:22am | 09/02/11

I think Axel White is right on the money. Sheer indignation that a grub reporter could ask such questions, and to refer to the Leader of the Opposition by his Christian name indicates the low life that person is. Go Mr Abbott, you did well.

Super D says:

08:36pm | 08/02/11

So Tony Abbott gets completely blindsided with an outrageous slur and he’s not even allowed a minute to construct a response?

I think this will be just the same as all of Abbott’s other “outrages”.  Those looking to be outraged by Tony Abbott seem to find a new reason every day or two.

I guess it’s like if you are looking for signs of mismanagement by the government they just keep appearing, the only difference being that the mismanagement is real while the outrage is confected.

VS says:

12:58am | 09/02/11

@Super D:  He was never going to construct a response - he was seething with rage because he’d been caught.

Let’s not forget that Tony Abbott’s own media people tried to suppress much of the footage that was taken of him firing weapons and pretending he was a soldier.

I think it’s time people stopped making excuses for Abbott - he should man up and admit that he made a big mistake and an even bigger mistake with his reaction to being asked a question.

He is a career politician and he knows that stupid comments come back to bite you - and yet, once again, he makes another gaffe by engaging his mouth before his brain.

Like it or not, he isn’t fit to lead the Liberals and is certainly not fit enough to lead this country.

You can blame the media for all it’s worth - but ultimately, Abbott engages his mouth before his brain.

It’s not the first time and it certainly won’t be the last.

Of course, all the right w(h)ingers will spin this every way that they can, all the left w(h)ingers will spin it for all they can, but ultimately, there is only one person responsible for the shit that comes out of Tony Abbott’s mouth.

And that is Abbott himself.

Time to find a replacement for him before he opens his mouth again, I think.

Christian Real says:

07:19am | 09/02/11

Super D
How could Tony Abbott have been completely blindsided as you claim,  Mark Riley approached Tony Abbott’s office and was given permission for the interview.
Tony abbott’s office also knew that the tape was going to be aired.
Mark Riley should be congratulated for exposing Tony Abbott for what he really is, a phoney, and someone who should not be a leader, the way he has shown contempt towards our Troops in Afghanistan.
.

Judicus says:

07:46am | 09/02/11

I agree.  His comment was typical unscripted Tony Abbott, ridiculous, but his reaction was just plain bizarre.  He looked like he was having a seizure…........or, about to revert to his pugilist days and punch Mark Riley in the face.  All he needed to do was respond, but he couldn’t do that.  Need to be able to think on your feet better than that Tony.  Certainly not PM material.

cts says:

06:53pm | 08/02/11

Damn Right, Riley what an upstart

Roja says:

06:54pm | 08/02/11

I am one of the most anti-Abbott people out there, but I really wish he did punch that dumbshit reporter out. 

To have some tosser come up and try and get some mileage out of what he said when talking about the death of a soldier would get me pretty fired up.  For anyone that has been through traumatic experiences in life, where there is nothing you can do about it - shit happens sums it up nicely.

terry says:

07:02pm | 08/02/11

That is exactly what i said when i watched it Al.

Nick says:

07:30pm | 08/02/11

Tony did extremely well not to drop him. I certainly would have given Riley one in the kisser!

Rob r Charteris says:

08:47pm | 08/02/11

I would have just looooooooooooved rAbbott to punch Mark Riley just loved it!!! it would ave been the end of him, but no… woe is me… hey Mark might of flatten him back and that would have been complete.

Bob says:

07:12am | 09/02/11

Channel Seven -  is the pits. The comment has to be seen in context, he is not in the company of a group of kindergarten children or spineless hypocrites. It would be a similar situation to me saying the Channel is the lowest of the low, a snake in the grass, and a bunch of two-faced sensationalists. I can only imagine the conduct of this self-righteous journalist (or his editorial so-called superiors) at a Sunday barbecue. Context and situation are all important and the press has a huge responsibility to accept this.  As to Tony Abbott’s reaction to being ambushed by this lowlife….I would like to see the tables turned and some of his interrogators’ Sunday barbcue repartee plucked from the air and be reported in such a sensational manner.

Christian Real says:

07:57am | 09/02/11

cts
Abbott’s the upstart, Rileys a hero for exposing phony Tony.

Andrew says:

06:30pm | 09/02/11

It was all ok when Rudd was “F"ing and “C"ing at a poor air hostess who made the mistake of serving an alternative to his special meal, and guys like Christian real would have made all kinds of excuses for it.
And much to my surprise it turns out that Abbott is actually a man, has the typical male reaction when confronted and when exerts self control and does not bash the reporter, we have to listen to idiots like Christian tell us he should react like a girl, like Rudd or Juliar world have, get real Christian real, do we really need another whimp like Rudd as a PM?
I think not.
Funny how you’re not mentioning what the interview was supposed to be about though, the savings and deferred spending that could replace Gillards big new tax, which is just lazy weak politics and an imposition on the taxpayer that doesn’t need to be there.
Deliberate side issue? you betcha.

Mattb says:

09:26pm | 09/02/11

Oh yeah, Tony should’ve punched him out for sure, violence is always the answer to every problem…..

Reg says:

10:27pm | 09/02/11

WTF stop it children you’re giving PUNCH a bad name and the majority of Australians a reputation as real dumb-arses.

Tony was there to call the Yanks to account for failing to provide sufficient support to Australian troops. Instead he let them right off the hook by telling them exactly what they wanted to hear. “Shit happens.”  Then when asked to explain his ineptitude, he felt put upon.

And all the right-wingers typically want to blame the journalist.

I honestly believe that what we saw on camera was Tony Abbott realising for the very first time that he had let the side down by not following through with the Yank generals.  Wake up fellas, Aussies are not as superficial as Tony and his mates, are they?

“Punched the reporter out.” Hahahaha How very like the average pugilistic faux-liberal.

Faz says:

09:05pm | 08/02/11

That’s not the story though, Jugg. It’s the silence. Riley might be the biggest bastard on the planet but I’ve seen Abbott handle much more beligerent, pointed, stupid, offensive questions. Why not this time?

The silence says ‘I’m not handling this’. It may have been that he was suppressing his natural instinct to job him one, but he knew that he’d go down in a Mark Latham heap.

When you couple this with the email donation thing—again it wasn’t the actual email it was how he handled it—TA has had a bad couple of days.

Jugg says:

09:59am | 09/02/11

I knew I shouldn’t have ventured in here…the political wankers on this site have no grasp of reality.

Likes Joining Dots says:

11:49am | 09/02/11

@Faz

It’s a simple, proven technique used by journalists and debaters.

Let’s say you and I are debating some topic, let’s say health care and budgets in third world countries and I suddenly say to you “oh, so you agree with napalming babies”.

Insensitive? Yes
Irrelevant? Yes.
Unsavoury? Yes.
Effective in distracting you and getting a response on camera? oh yes.

@Jugg at 9.59 - have to agree with your succinct statement. This story should be filed under ‘media’ not ‘politics’.

Reg says:

06:21am | 10/02/11

@ LJD ... How short sighted do you have to get? I guess this is just another example of the shallow thinking of the right-wing?

Your mental midget Tony Abbott was invited to explain why he casually accepted, out of hand, the defense from the US leaders, of failing to provide the cover needed by Aussie troops. Neglect that threatens to cost more Aussie lives.

I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve offered you an escape route. Poor Tony is punch-drunk and therefore not up this sort of drama. Still you leave the poor bugger in place to fail our troops in the field. 

About time you gave up on the non-de-plume mate, you’re failing too.

Likes Joining Dots says:

09:15am | 10/02/11

@Reg

I don’t recall seeing any respones from you to my previous posts. Perhaps there’s another LJD out there, but I would like to find them and read about these escape routes.

I’m also not into the whole team guernsey approach to politics. So you have that wrong as well.

Anyway, it’s nice to see that you have mastered and even improved on the basic technique. Accusations, insults and assumptions are equally valid variations for the technique to be successful.

PS Plumage is fine. Thanks for asking.

Chase Stevens says:

06:48pm | 08/02/11

Don’t you think it is a little insensitive to say that though?

Christian Real says:

10:54pm | 08/02/11

More like gutter Abbott at his finest

Faz says:

05:46am | 09/02/11

I suspect that’s a reasonable explanation, Matthew. But the ‘shit’ that did happen was the death of a soldier and it was one time when he could have taken less of a risk in terms of how he expressed himself.

As it was, the chance of it being misunderstood was high even if you take a more benign view of the ‘context’.

On Sunday morning another journalist—Barry Cassidy—put a lot of pressure on Abbott to answer a simple question: Was it more important to donate to his anti-levy fighting fund or to the Premier’s appeal. I thought at the time that it was a contrived journalistic question that Abbott could easily dismiss by saying ‘Of course not!’.

But rather than state the obvious and run the risk of having to fess up about the donation request with a simple ‘we shouldn’t have done it, it was a stuff up’, he said he wasn’t going to play that game and ‘people can be the judge’. It wasn’t a particularly convincing response but it was, by orders of magnitude, much better than a tense silence.

Trouble is, the pack mentality of journalists—like when Laurie Oaks dropped his bombshell on Gillard during the election campaign—will apply. They see a weakness when TA’s under pressure and will try to get him to crack again and guess what? They don’t give a toss if you think they’re gutter journalists.

For liberal loyalists it was perfectly legitimate for Oaks to ‘ambush’ Gillard about a cabinet discussion he got from a leak and any talk of context is ‘spin’. For rusted on Laborites it’s perfectly legitimate for Riley to confront Abbott about his insensitive language and any talk of context is ‘spin’.

dicky olde says:

06:09am | 09/02/11

Faz I think you forget TA was an Oxford Boxing Blue, if you’re meaning that he would go down in a Mark Latham “heap” in a physical way. Worst piece of journalism I have ever seen. It was all context and tone. If Gillard even mentions it, she’s toast, no class, tasteless, insensitive and shameless. Which means she probably will, if not her, the 2 that have all those attributes, Swan or Rudd, certainly will.

haggis says:

10:08am | 09/02/11

Christian Real is SOOO funny! Is it an atheist?

RAS says:

07:28pm | 08/02/11

pity you didnt go, before you wasted our time with this pathetic comment.

Daniel says:

08:54am | 09/02/11

I agree RAS, HarlequinBeetle is probably the type that watches Today Tonight so probably thinks this kind of journalism or news story is actually news worthy…

MarK says:

06:42pm | 08/02/11

Just making sure.

Are you saying Abbott is a sociopath?

The CaveDweller says:

07:45am | 09/02/11

Having myself studied psychology/sociology please show me the sociopathic qualities Abbott displays on an ongoing daily basis according to the DSM 5.

No luck with that I bet.

Reg says:

09:49am | 09/02/11

It’s only one of these all encompassing technical terms that has entered the vocabulary of general usage, like “shit happens.” Now if he hadn’t done all that bobbing forward and back there’d have been no reason to hold the shot. Moving wallpaper it was not. Funny how silence can indicate so much.

Lemo says:

01:06pm | 09/02/11

You might have more luck in the DSM - IV - (thats 4 by the way Cavedweller) - hows that course going?

Reg says:

05:12pm | 09/02/11

It’s only psychology, what you really need is a psychiatrist. My friend the psychiatrist is most offended when mistaken for a psychologist. Which is why they now use the initials FRANZCP

SteveM says:

07:04pm | 08/02/11

I agree Tony.

My feelings on this and hopefully I am right is that there will be more questions put to the reporter to as to why he ‘ambushed’ him with a laptop then try and say that Abbott was trying to demean a dead soldier with his remarks? - I feel upset for Abbott, to have that thrown at him is terrible.

For Mark Riley to try and make that assumption, is at least poor judgement and at worst the most digusting thing I have seen by a reporter.

mez says:

07:39pm | 08/02/11

agree entirely, regardless of what your stance is with politics, this would have to be one of the lowest forms of journalism.

Steve of Cornubia says:

07:31pm | 08/02/11

Sadly, nothing about this is funny. This was a serious attempt to, as Leo himself put it, find that elusive silver bullet and kill Abbott’s career. Rather like Turnbull miscalculated the whole Utegate affair however, I expect this sorry debacle will do Tony more good than harm because that proportion of the Australian public with TWO functioning eyes can see the truth for themselves.

RJB says:

09:19pm | 08/02/11

Take a look at comments posted on the channel 7 website, this grubby attempt to manufacture an issue has backfired on 7 and Riley.

Douglas says:

05:04am | 09/02/11

“Take a look at comments posted on the channel 7 website, this grubby attempt to manufacture an issue has backfired on 7 and Riley. “

—

You mean the Liberal spin bloggers are blitzing there too, as well as the Punch?

The ready response team ready to go into action upon receipt of the email or SMS from HQ.

Typical.

Sigh says:

07:10am | 09/02/11

@ Douglas, I am not a liberal supporter, NOT a fan of Abbott and you know what? I think Mark Riley misjudged the public reaction to his ill conceived rubbish story.

Rather than take a stab at someones political leanings, hows about actually focussing on the issue that this Punch article is about?

Reg says:

10:43pm | 09/02/11

I think the journalist exposed how dumb most Australians are and probably why so many think Tony Abbott would make a good PM.

He certainly didn’t stand up against the Yanks for letting the Aussie soldiers down. “Shit happens” he says and half the population of Australia spring to his defense because some journalist had the guts to call him on it. Not a good sign chaps, this could happen again now that the Yanks realise what Aussie dumb-arses they’re dealing with.

Grow up says:

07:03pm | 08/02/11

I couldn’t agree more. I have been struggling to write a comment regarding this without immediately descending into vitriol at the thought that a supposed journalist would sink so low. This behavior is the lowest of the low.

Leo, I really hope to see an article from you on the Punch tomorrow rejecting the gutter tactics of Riley in their entirety. You are better than this.

Christian Real says:

07:46am | 09/02/11

Matt
It is disgusting that all you Liberals rush to the defence of Tony Abbott and his ill thought out comment that he made during a visit to our Troops Afghanistan.
Mark Riley, not only exposed Tony Abbott for the person he really is, he also caught Abbott out cold.
If anyones to blame it is Tony Abbott’s office, who not only sanctioned the interview between Mark riley and Tony Abbott, but was also aware that the tape was going to be aired.
Abbott had every chance therefore to come up with a reasonable response but failed to do so
The frozen look on Abbott’s face was a classic, and perhaps it could be used in future Election campaigns.

Likes Joining Dots says:

01:02pm | 09/02/11

@Christian Real - of course the obvious answer is:

‘*giggle*.  Mark Riley, now you are just being silly’.

Ignore the question and move on to the script of the week.

RAS says:

07:35pm | 08/02/11

Sorry Debbie, but I commend TA for using every ounce of self control to stop himself from smashing that laptop over Mark Riley’s head.
There are some reporter’s gutter tactics that are so low, no amount of media training at politicians school can prepare you for.
I would have prefered a painful look on Riley’s face.

Another Debbie says:

08:12pm | 08/02/11

I also had a situation where someone ambushed me with something horrible.  I froze trying to analyse what to say to this person but as it was so hideous I said nothing in response.  I took the high road from what I really wanted to say and felt better for it.  Someone once said to me “never argue with an idiot - bystanders can’t tell the difference” and it has stayed with me.

4leaf says:

08:52pm | 08/02/11

So RAS, a man who needs to choose between silence or violence, rather than stringing a sentence together, is fit to be PM?  What nonsense.

Iro Nic says:

11:28pm | 08/02/11

It was painful indeed Deb.

Note to TA: Don’t mind the media!

TA knows that the media pretty much only report on issues where “Sh*t happens” (just buy the FR – you’ll see what I mean) – OMG TA just became the “Sh*t happens” headline for today…that seems ironically suitable!

In an off-topic irony, TA paid $1 for a hospital when he was Health Minister, then after the last federal election, as opposition leader offered $1000000000 to build a hospital in hope of securing the PM’ship.

Sh*t really does happen in TA’s world

Gregg says:

01:18am | 09/02/11

@4leaf,
Have you ever heard the phrase, ” silence can be golden “?
And then have you ever been a situation when you have conveyed your anger to someone over a reprehensible act!
It’s called the eye and that nodding assessment and Riley may have got the message bit then he could have the comprehension of yourself.

Reg says:

10:04am | 09/02/11

@Gregg.  Actually it’s “silence is golden” Gregg, but when called for, just make sure your do it with panache and not “blind fury,” because blind fury is paralyzing.

JWH did this by thinking up the answer he was going to give before the question had been delivered. A sophisticated version of Tony would have launched into the deep respect and sympathy that he and all Australians were feeling for the bereaved.

missyj says:

07:11pm | 08/02/11

Hate the man, don’t particularly like your comment either.  Rude and so typically Labor !!!!!!

Debbie says:

08:26pm | 08/02/11

Tony Abbott (as reported by his office) has already rung the widow of this soldier and spoke at length to her and there is no further issue on this matter. 

Further someone rang a radio station who had been to a soldiers funeral.  Abbott stayed long after Gillard had left specifically to speak to the soldiers.  This has not been reported.  A friend of the family rang to tell the story.  Anyone who says Abbott is not compassionate is wrong.  He does more good that is not reported on than most politicians.

Hate the man says:

11:08pm | 08/02/11

missyj: I didn’t vote labor either, did you know there’s more than two parties?

*the crowd gasps* Who knew?!

Well done for noticing my comment’s rude, by the way, before you jumped onto the idea that it’s some kind of Labor dogma at play. Actually I simply think Abbott’s a vile piece of work and don’t care which party he’s lurking in.

Christian Real says:

08:36pm | 10/02/11

MissyJ
You don’t have to belong to the Labor party to dislike Tony Abbott
And you don’t have to be rude to belong to Labor party either.
I found that many of the Liberal cheersquad are rude and arrogant, it must rub off on them fom their Leader Tony Abbott

4leaf says:

08:55pm | 08/02/11

He has 44% of the country’s support actually and he doesn’t support worthy projects like, I don’t know, assisting those displaced by wars in other nations (“stop the boats”) or helping to rebuild schools destroyed in Indonesia (to save most tax payers a buck a week for a flood levy).  “An unelected Prime Minister”.  Oh dear, you really are deluded.

Reg says:

06:46am | 10/02/11

@4leaf. Although Tallyho, etc may be fair dinkum, the PUNCH bowl has become so polluted with sarcasm by now, that I think we may classify his feeble attempt as just another such inversion. Comments such as the “occasional gaffe” give the game away.

jj says:

07:52pm | 08/02/11

and Abbot is no longer the the biggest grub masquerading as a politician ,wins the title from Mark Latham   p.s be honest with yourself if a labor polician said this what would your reaction be…........i said be honest

Super D says:

05:50am | 09/02/11

I can assure you that my reaction would be exactly the same.  The story here is the depths to which journalism has sunk.  To any slightly balanced observer Abbott was not being disrespectful at all.  This is a massive media beat up.

Jamie says:

06:58pm | 08/02/11

What does he stand for Tim? Just interested.

Tim says:

08:20pm | 08/02/11

Tony Abbott from what I have seen is a caring father of daughters who also cares about the community in which he lives and also tries to do what he can for aboriginal people in north Qld during his holidays.  He can come to my place any time he likes, he can have free reign in my house even if I am not there.  He is not afraid to give an unambiguous direct unscripted answer to questions put to him.  I remember a lady that told me she had met him and that he was a total gentleman, she also told me that most if not everyone that meets him likes him.  That will do me, and I am not a member of his fan club.  I just think the media reporting needs to be balanced, fair and honest.

I here all the hatred towards him, but I never hear why people hate him.  Most I ask for why have never met him so I don’t know how they form the bitter opinions of him.  I often think it is just hatred being spewed out by people that never do anything for anyone with out praise payment or something in return.

Faz says:

09:34pm | 08/02/11

But ‘you took me out of context’ is one of the favorite ‘media spin crap’ lines, Tim. Someone who wasn’t into spin would have said something like, ‘yeh, I stuffed up, I could have chosen better words, sorry, let’s move on’.  Or something direct and honest.

But the ‘they took me out of context’ is standard fodder for the spinners and cringworthy at the best of times.

As much as I dislike the guy I’m sure he wouldn’t have meant to be insensitive, but he can’t just say the first thing that comes into his head or, if that’s his style, he’s got to fess up when it goes wrong.

Mark Riley is not the problem, it’s not his job to be sensitive or even be liked and the moral imperitive of getting a story just about trumps all others. If Riley had something on Gillard or another Labor pollie he would have been just as ruthless and just as much of a scumbag.

Abbott had to handle it, he should have been aware that it was going to come out and be used, given his history of ‘microphone moments’. What he showed us was that he’s prepared to take risks like that and not take it on the chin when he gets it wrong and, today, that the pressure of a situation HE created was something he really couldn’t handle.

SunMan says:

10:11pm | 08/02/11

Poor Jamie, cant work it out…your’e not interested in what Abbott might stand for…when you can make snide remarks in support of disgusting misrepresentations by scumbag journalists in pursuit of the character assassination of Tony Abbott.

AJ says:

11:02pm | 08/02/11

FFS Faz, look at the video material without your damn Labor goggles on and you will see that in this case, he was quoted out of context. It is not standard spin, Faz, it is the truth, he was quoted out of context. I watched the video, and really, nothing he said is wrong or disrespectful if you look at the total picture.  And as for his silence, I have to admit I looked at it and thought, WTF is he doing, until that disgusting reporter repeated the question and Tony said he gave him the answer he deserved. So much for unbias journalism and objective reporting. And ps, he is human. He will make mistakes. This was not one though.

Reg says:

07:14am | 10/02/11

Wrong AJ.

He let the failure of American support for Aussie troops in the field off the hook with a casual “shit happens.”  THAT is what he was asked to explain.

You’ve got a couple of choices.

Either he didn’t understand the question OR, for the very first time ... standing right there in front of the camera, he realised how badly he had let the troops down. Kindly re-direct your disgust to the appropriate place which is NOT to the journalist. It’s to the Liberal/National leadership that left the poor bastard there to screw up.

Let this be a warning to all political representatives that what we expect from them is a dynamic and appropriate response to our country’s needs and especially to those who put their lives on the line for it, which means workers as well as the military.

Riva says:

07:09pm | 08/02/11

Ryan
What knockout blow?
Abbott swung and missed causing himself to twirl around until he fell down from dizziness

Roja says:

08:18pm | 08/02/11

“Tony Abbott deals a knockout blow”

You’re choice of words seem a poor selection in the circumstances.  Sure he wanted to land a knockout blow on Riley, but his random and inept budget response was far from a “knockout blow”. 

I am however in complete agreement that this gutter journalism was the lowest of a very low point in Australian media, however to claim it was Labor that instigated is a bit paranoid.

Ryan says:

08:20pm | 08/02/11

@Riva: now we know just how filthy and low you Labor scum are, just hopefully the rest of the country can see you filth for what you are, not worth pissing on if on fire. Well done to Tony Abbott for not smacking that Labor loving peice of proverbial back to next tuesday, and shame on anyone including you Leo for trying to jump on the bandwagon. If you want to know when you have gone too far, NOW you have gone too far.

Roja says:

11:18pm | 08/02/11

Wow Ryan, you have serious anger control issues.

Mark says:

06:20am | 09/02/11

Your just blind fool, just like Abbott. For the record I live in his electorate and know him well. I have never met a person that is willing to prostitute themselves for there own good at the expense truth and public benefit.

Christian Real says:

10:30am | 09/02/11

Ryan
You liberals sure do have some aggressive, deep rooted problems that are cause for major concern, when you blatantly support and defend a low-life Leader like Tony Abbott who was caught out for the phony he really is.
A want a be Prime Minister, who clearly showed that he has shallow and hollow concern for our brave servicemen and women with his innappropriate words.
Mark Riley organised the interview with Tony Abbott’s Office, 2 1/2 hours before the interview took place.
It therefore cannot be said and falsely claimed to be an ‘Ambush”, like the Liberal cheersquad would like everybody to believe.
Tony Abbott would have been made well aware of the impending interview with Mark Riley, as his office would have informed him in advance.
Ryan, no matter how much you and the Liberal cheersquad attempts to sugarcoat Tony Abbott’s remarks,the fact is that Tony Abbott has erred, and he has erred big time.
It is time for Tony Abbott to step down and resign as Leader of the Liberal Opposition party,before the party that he is Leader off, decides that he is a liability and boots him out of his Leadership role.

TheRealDave says:

07:00pm | 08/02/11

He was talking to brass - not diggers.  A love fest of ‘Hey, we did everything we could’ whilst at the same time denying firepower during the battle just incase they did something that would affect their careers. A Digger died because of that.

Freeman says:

07:14pm | 08/02/11

You really are a cretin Nosthow. Only you could take delight in what has transpired. It’s not funny. how sad that someone needs to point that out to you.

nossy says:

07:29pm | 08/02/11

@Freeman - Liberal fanboy responses count for nothing fella ! If the boot was on the other foot you hypocrite you would have caned Gillard - but ts not is it !  hahaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

Steve of Cornubia says:

07:36pm | 08/02/11

The Labor grubs are out in force. Tony can relax though, because all reasonable people will see no problem in what Abbott said originally, or the contempt he quite rightly showed the pathetic reporter who tried to ambush him. I just hope that poor dead soldier can’t see how his death is being used with such glee by Labor insects.

Ben81 says:

07:57pm | 08/02/11

Childish halfwit.

Freeman says:

08:21pm | 08/02/11

I’m not so sure, Steve of Cornubia.
It looks pretty bad for Abbott. If abbott offended the soldiers present at the time or the diggers family then perhaps he should step down.

Nosthow is definately a grub though, He obviously doesn’t care about the feelings of anyone associated with the dead soldier or Tony abbott who seems pretty gutted about it all.

Ryan says:

08:23pm | 08/02/11

@nossy: hang your head in shame you low filth, this is someones son and husband, not some plaything for you Labor twerps to make fun of. We know you have no shame but you should know that you should be treated with the disdain you deserve you diusting excuse of a human.

Ben81 says:

09:51pm | 08/02/11

@Steve “The Labor grubs are out in force”
No, to be fair just a couple of them are being grubs here.  Nice to see.  Some are just beyond help.

AJ says:

11:08pm | 08/02/11

Freeman, read the update and watch the video. He offended no one.

nihonin says:

06:54pm | 09/02/11

Geez nossy, this is low for your standards mate, I respect your comments and support of Labor usually, but each to their own to make a point I guess.

Reg says:

07:46am | 10/02/11

@Freeman. “Tony abbott who seems pretty gutted about it all.”

So he should be. The poor inept bastard had the opportunity to tell the American brass to lift their game and instead let them off with a “shit happens.”  Then when asked to explain his failure to project, all you lot can see is some journalist pointing at his insensitivity..

But then of course we have ... RYAN ... GREGG and JOAN.  Stokers in the hell-hole of conservatism where even a punch-drunk PM is preferable to any consideration of balance.

I hate dumb people says:

08:02pm | 08/02/11

Abbott was not saying the death of ANY Australia soldiers is a case of shit happens.  You’re a bloody disgrace for thinking that without getting all the facts TheRealDave!

RAS says:

08:03pm | 08/02/11

Do not know how to spell Abbott, or are you really as stupid as your blog suggests?

Ralph says:

09:03pm | 08/02/11

totally agree. What a lapdog airhead. HE SHOULD’VE GRILLED THE HELL OUT OF THAT COMMANDER. OUR BOYS ARE DYING FROM THEIR NEW TACTICS ON THE GROUND. If he thought he had all the answers thenHE SHOULD’VE GRILLED THE HELL OUT OF THEM FOR THE SOLDIER’S & OUR BENEFIT.

GetRealDave says:

10:08pm | 08/02/11

Riiiiiiiiight….. and you know all about it don’t you Dave? From personal experience I DO know that the digger on the ground in the shitfight is not aware of why certain actions are occuring or why certain decisions are made. One disgruntled digger emailing home without having the foggiest of the whole story does not an expert make.

True, we all tire of seeing politicians fly in for their five minutes of war, but I am willing to bet there is a good chance the “seppo with a few stars on his shoulders” has more combat experience than you. Your obvious hatred of Abbott is glaringly on display here. Any Aussie has the right to say shit happens, because we all know that at some point in time, despite our best efforts things will still go pear shaped and so - Yes, Shit does happen.

Mouse says:

10:18am | 09/02/11

Hey The RealDave, I was a soldier and so was my husband. Guess what…shit DOES happen! Regularly too. Better for Abbott to say it like it is than Gillrudd to have a giggle behind her hand.

Fantail says:

07:11pm | 08/02/11

Actually Mal
shit happens is an Americanism.

Mal says:

10:50pm | 08/02/11

That may well be but it is in common usage here but thanks for the correction.  The point is he meant no disrespect and the journo was a grub who should have been punched.  He did get the answer he deserved.  Pity he didn’t get what should have been coming.

Reg says:

07:38am | 11/02/11

@ Mal.

Mal you too have two choices.

Classify yourself with the dumb-arse Aussies who fell for the Lib screams of disrespect for a fallen soldier OR see through the diversion to the fact that the Leader of the Opposition in the Australian Parliament, The Right Honourable Anthony Abbott, failed to call the US brass to account for failing to support Australian troops in the field, exonerating them with the ejaculation, “shit happens.”

Now if you persist with your objection, then allow me to point out to you that such a casual dismissal is INDEED disrespectful of the sacrifice of the many in the war zone who may have been victims of inept officers.

julie says:

07:12pm | 08/02/11

Poor Peter, that is just not going to happen.  So get over yourself.  TA did nothing wrong, it was taken completely out of context.  Geeez .....

Mr Pod says:

08:11pm | 08/02/11

@Mr Costello - rather cruel but I hope you’re right

Steve of Cornubia says:

08:18pm | 08/02/11

Sorry Peter, no matter how hard you and your fellow Labor apologists try to turn this into something it isn’t, Tony Abbott will come out of this OK.

As for Channel 7 and any other media types who try to beat this up (you listening Leo?), keep going guys, you’re just digging a big hole for yourselves. If you think you’re struggling to be heard now, as people turn off the MSM in favour of internet blogs, you’d better get used to it, because you’re making things even worse for yourselves with crap like this.

SteveM says:

07:07pm | 08/02/11

Think you’re spot on Steve, that was my thoughts as well.

shane says:

07:54pm | 08/02/11

or perhaps it was leaked by a lib, hoping to implicate a leak by labor? Or perhaps an alien from area 51 escaped, disguised itself as a federal judge and granted the channel 7 FOI request in a bid to bring down Abbott, thereby opening the door to invasion by satan and the hordes of hell?

Christian Real says:

03:54pm | 09/02/11

Channel Seven has got nothing to apologise for, the Mark Riley /Tony Abbott interview was arranged with Tony Abbott’s OWN office 2 1/2 hours before the actual interview took place.
Abbott’s office knew what was going to be used during the interview and allowed the interview to take place.
If anyone set Tony Abbott up it was his own office,and also Tony Abbott did not do himself any favours by the way he reacted.
It is obvious that Tony Abbott put his foot in his mouth and he erred big time for saying what he did, Tony Abbott has no one to blame but himself.
Plus Abbott’s words were not taken out of context, no matter how many of you Liberal supporters attempt to sugercoat this issue in your blatant attempt to defend the weazel

davo says:

07:48pm | 08/02/11

i guess you were saying the same thing,weapons of mass destruction in iraq.as a proud aussie who supports the truth. should honest john have been sacked?

Shelley says:

08:03pm | 08/02/11

HERE! HERE!  I’ll second that!

Boycott both Riley and seven until there’s an apology about this filthy beat up.

A drop in ratings will hurt and express community contempt for such lowbrow journalism more than anything else we do..

How low can a reporter go? I think we’ve got to tie this with the gutter dweller that outed Campbell.

http://www.abc.net.au/lateline/content/2010/s2906480.htm

How unethical of Riley, seven, and all others salivating while passing this off as worthy news.

My sympathy to all family and friends of the fallen solder. Such crass reports should never go to air, or be dragged like a trophy carcase through our political system and lounge-rooms.

BOYCOTT RILEY!

ps. Please remember timing is everything in politics. The greatest number of media heavies ever employed by a government have been employed by Federal Labor since 2007. Cut out the overtime people. We taxpayers have flood rebuilding to pay for now. We can’t afford you any more!

4leaf says:

08:58pm | 08/02/11

So as a proud member of a democratic nation, you are demanding a member of the free press resign for uttering words you disagree with.  Think you might feel more at home in North Korea or Iran Jeremy.

Dwgw says:

08:12pm | 08/02/11

I thought he was incredibly restrained. Whatever he said was going to be splashed around, as it was a distinct ambush.
Absolutely gutter journalism.
It must have been pick on Tony night..even 7.30 got their geography wrong in their race to pick on him. Indonesia is not our nearest neighbour.

AMS says:

09:06pm | 08/02/11

Very well said… regardless of which divide you are on. 10/10 Nick.

Jim says:

08:36pm | 08/02/11

Put your union card away for a second and you’ll realise that Abbott was disgusted in the way the unions used Bernie to push their own barrow in his final days. Your version is so wrong Dan.

Matt says:

08:05pm | 08/02/11

Totally agree Tropical. We’ll never watch channel 7 again.

Blerko says:

07:54pm | 08/02/11

I thought the same. When the right are found through a bit of investigative reporting, they shoot the messenger first. The real story here is not what Abbott said, it’s the dead air when offered the chance to put his comments in context. You’d have to cringe if he ever got to represent our country on the International stage.

PJ says:

07:59pm | 08/02/11

Any decent human being would not have bothered to publicize such a shameful disgusting piece but Leo did.

matilda says:

10:06pm | 08/02/11

From MACCA - “The Ch 7 reporter (unusually) did not imply any thought or judgement on Tony in his presentation of the footage”.

MACCA you are full of the proverbial -  Riley on MTR tonight was now trying to claim he wasn’t insinuating anything. but just for the record, note that the Channel 7 newsreader introduced Riley’s report by stating as a matter of fact that Abbott had been “caught” making an “insensitive” remark. No insinuation at all. Just an outright accusation.

Billy says:

08:00pm | 08/02/11

matt says - He froze because he was controlling his temper, unlike you ya fool.

NicoleG says:

08:14pm | 08/02/11

No. He just didn’t want to punch the toad right in the mouth. He showed a lot of restraint. It’s all blown out of context. Again.

Richard says:

08:21pm | 08/02/11

he didn’t think the question was worthy of a response, simple as that.

Scott says:

12:20pm | 09/02/11

i suspect someone will give Riley a beat down. He was a totall fool for taking the assignmnet.

The Drover says:

07:18pm | 08/02/11

Climb back into your hole Marilyn, you will find better company there than your fellow Australians whom you so obviously despise.

Freeman says:

07:20pm | 08/02/11

Que the hysterical ramblings of Marilyn

“And if Rudd had done it you morons would call for his head”

Oh you mean how you were calling for Rudds head when he yelled at a hostie from the armed forces then lied about it?

jf says:

07:35pm | 08/02/11

Brutal sledging?

You clearly don’t even know what Abbott said. Even his most staunch opponent wouldn’t call it a “brutal sledging” if they knew the facts.

“For god’s sake he was fund raising for the frigging liberal party during a cyclone that wiped out many towns and houses.”

As was the ALP.

You are a greasy, opportunistic and ignorant idealogue.

Andrew g says:

07:48pm | 08/02/11

Making an argument with a hypothetical…but weak there buddy

NicoleG says:

08:16pm | 08/02/11

Marilyn, go and wipe that froth off your chin and just shut up. BTW, your ‘Nice Pills’ are in the mail.

Reg says:

08:54pm | 10/02/11

@Matt.  “How dare Channel 7 use the death of an Australian solider in such a pathetic attempt to smear”

They didn’t you dumb-arse.  You and a lot of other stupid right-wing supporters made the connection. Abbott was being asked why he had allowed the US brass an easy escape from responsibility by suggesting that “shit happens.”  Give yourself a few minutes to think about it then pass it on to your other dumb-arse mates.

matilda says:

08:31pm | 08/02/11

You’re no Liberal supporter - your a labor troll. Your probably from the same stable that constantly bleats that turnbull should be leader. Your a labor agitator.

Rosemary says:

07:42pm | 08/02/11

Leo, I respectually disagree. In my personal opinion (and I’m not the only one to come to this conclusion) the timing is evidence of Channel 7 trying to politically damage Abbott at a time when the Government desperately needed a distraction. Perhaps as a journalist you might want to get your nose to the ground and reassure yourself that Channel 7 acted properly and without malice in this matter. I would not take their word for it. I would find out for myself. As for Abbott being politically damaged? Well those who hate him will continue to do so, and those who don’t, won’t. As for everyone else in between? They will likely see through it. I’ve read a lot of comments from people writing to blogs and the majority are rightly appalled at what Channel 7 has done.

Super D says:

08:31pm | 08/02/11

The night before the first question time….  The timing is a little too convenient.  Will the government be throwing up dixers regarding the outstanding contributions of our troops in Afghanistan so they can launch on Abbott??

PJ says:

09:22pm | 08/02/11

Leo I think you and Punch have done enough and no excuse could let you off the hook for allowing yourselves to give it more airing.

Sandy says:

09:31pm | 08/02/11

From my understanding the Liberals worked from the very start to not have the footage from his visit televised, they knew they had a problem if it got out. Channel 7 as far as I can ascertain (from reading all the comments) got it through FOI. That is why it has taken so long to come to light. My impression lately is that News jounalists had it in for Gillard and were giving Abbott a free ride. He is an attack dog that is now being attacked and obviously does not like it.

Gregg says:

01:39am | 09/02/11

@ Rosemary amd Leo,
Mostly agree with what you both say.
From the responses I have read so far I feel any sane thinking people except those striving so hard to kill off Abbott will have seen this for what it is and a politician in control of anger over something that one would have the right to be very angry about.
Sure Leo, you’ll have the typical Laborites trying to drum it up as would the KOBs and TJs of the ABC.
Ol KOB himself [ and I thought he had retired ] introduced the 4corners Liz Jackson last night doing a bit on his favourite red head, no doubt all part of the routine there to drum up support for the ailing PM.
It could have been one of the Julias trying to be whichever one but still the old trait there when asked just a sensible policy question of wanting to wave it off with a HO ho again!, I’ll not talk about our policy making decisions.
Does Julia ever want to talk about anything?

But back to Tony and the timing is indeed very convenient but it is more the depth of desperation to which some in the media will go to to produce something so shallow that is most amazing.
And sure there will be every leftist assination dog whooping it up but all that will do is have them flying their true colours even higher and if Labot get directly on board with this, it could in fact be the standing of Labor that is worse affected.

And Leo, might be interesting to do an article on contrived passion for where have we heard recently something like ” We are Australians “
Oh that’s right, wasn’t ” Lets remember who we are, we are Queenslanders “
Not quite plageurism but not exactly a new leaf either!

Luke says:

02:48pm | 09/02/11

Leo channel seven should hold their heads in shame they have no credibility after conroy met the head tribal chief accidently in an overseas ski trip and next think you know seven have a 250 million tax exemption….......... ALP lackeys

Peetme says:

11:34am | 09/02/11

Give her a break Henry. She’s probably watched too much of Hawke’s and Rudd’s blubbering performances and thinks it’s okay.

MarK says:

09:21pm | 08/02/11

Actually I think you find that many die hard Labor people will be as equally disgusted by this piece of hack journalism as most people will be.

It is beyond belief that a reporter would be allowed to make the insinuation he did. I truly can’t believe it.

One thing I will say is the restraint Abbott showed was remarkable. Incredible job to remain silent. Very proud of the man for that.

Max Peck says:

07:32pm | 08/02/11

Eamonn, what in your view did he say that was disgusting???

Ryan says:

08:26pm | 08/02/11

@Max: nothing, this is just yet another low scum Labor supporter trying to make headway of this. The filth have no shame whatsoever.

AJ says:

11:31pm | 08/02/11

Eamonn, I am no Julia supporter, rather after her ‘performance’ today she has reached a new low in my books which I didn’t think possible. But there were times before, where as much as I wished she did say or do something wrong, and it was not accurately reported, I gave her the benefit when I saw the actual footage for myself instead of just relying on reporting alone. This has got nothing to do with supporting Tony or not. But you go ahead and try to push a political agenda. It says much about you personally.

Dwgw says:

08:23pm | 08/02/11

I thought he acted in a great manner. He did NOT denigrate any soldier, and he manfully refrained from engaging in a conversation which would be twisted whatever he said.

Jim says:

08:40pm | 08/02/11

You obviously set a higher standard for an aspirant PM than you do for an actual PM.

Concerned Citizen says:

07:56pm | 08/02/11

Got any links regarding this ambush. Curious.

Lower than the gutter says:

07:46pm | 08/02/11

pssssst
read the telegraph

John says:

12:31am | 09/02/11

Hopefully ABC media watch will destroy ch 7 over this

Blurt says:

07:46pm | 08/02/11

Banton played Martyr,could have kept his mouth shut,Shit happens

Billy says:

08:09pm | 08/02/11

sue - Bulls..t

Willie Wilkie says:

09:39pm | 08/02/11

Abbott immediately spoke to the wife of the brave soldier because he was motified. Joe Hockey mentioned it when he was questioned on TV tonight. Channel and the reporter concerned should be ashamed of themselves.

Luke4 says:

07:46pm | 08/02/11

Yep agree everyone is sick of Tony just as much as we are all sick of Julia. Only difference is that if they replace Tony they will win office and Julia and crew will lose theirs. So really it’s a good thing for the Lib supporters.

Ryan says:

08:28pm | 08/02/11

99.9% of real Australian men would have easily been able to identify him doing one thing only and that was holding himself back from putting that filthy dropkicks teeth into the back of his low class filthy Labor head.

GB says:

07:56pm | 08/02/11

We’ll see Michael. The court of public opinion on this and a lot of other blogs is already well and truly in his corner. Your beloved ALP, who have their grubby little fingerprints all over this, might just have this blow up completely in their face. They better hope it never comes out that they were involved.

gug says:

07:59pm | 08/02/11

haha, simple but funny.

marlene says:

09:59pm | 08/02/11

Dont know about that? I think it might go up, people can see through rate grabing rubbish.

MarK says:

09:26pm | 08/02/11

Nice words.

They will. There is no mileage in this for them.

Douglas says:

05:09am | 09/02/11

The Badger,

If you had a beer with Abbott (or any right winger), guess whose shout it would be?

Adam Diver says:

07:26am | 09/02/11

@ Badger - Genuine respect goes out to you and several of the left punchers on this one.

I thought you would just have a field day on this, but your reasoned response, reminds me why I love a good debate on the punch.

I still think Abbotts response was poor politically, although I suspect he was about to physically assault Mr Riley.

Temerarious says:

08:32pm | 08/02/11

Adam Walters was the Seven journo who covertly followed David Campbell around at night, until he got his “story” to lead the 6pm bulletin with. His mantle of gutter journalist of the 21st century can now be safely handed over to Mark Riley.

Tony, you would have done us all a favour if you jobbed him.

Jim says:

08:48pm | 08/02/11

Disgraceful comments? What exactly was disgraceful? Bernie turns up do deliver a petition, Abbott was late, Abbott apologises for being late, Bernie calls him a flea, Abbott says even though Bernie is sick, he may not be pure of heart. Abbott rings Bernie, both apologise to each other, all is sweet.

Media and unions grab hold of it and turn it into something evil.

Besides, I actually think if it was Gillard caught out Abbott would not attack at all. He would probably have a chuckle and then say it was a low form of journalism.

But we all know Channel ALP would destroy any such footage of their Labor overlords…so it’s a silly comparison.

MarK says:

09:22pm | 08/02/11

Bullshit.

Pure bullshit.

Blerko says:

08:10pm | 08/02/11

“The quote has clearly been taken out of context.”
Abbott was given an eternity to put the record straight, but looked like someone bending over tying their shoes on a runway to then look up and see a A380 landing 20m in front of them. The real issue is not about the context of the quote, but the leadership credentials of Tony.

Rowan says:

08:26pm | 08/02/11

I agree. Tony was holding back.

chris says:

08:45pm | 08/02/11

i have very little time for tony abbott, but think that channel 7 has been very offensive here. i agree that he would jump on this if it was from a labor member but even so i think he has been hardly done by

chris says:

08:45pm | 08/02/11

i have very little time for tony abbott, but think that channel 7 has been very offensive here. i agree that he would jump on this if it was from a labor member but even so i think he has been hardly done by

ZED says:

09:22pm | 08/02/11

Over hyped media looking for easy ratings, Riley and Channel 7 this is a disgraceful, cheap dog act and I hope the fallen soldiers family grill you I’m sure this is the last thing they need to hear..

Abbott was one on one being a bloke using words mates use and if anything he was attempting to be supportive in a bloke like manner!

Angelo says:

09:43pm | 08/02/11

Yep, just think if Australia had media organisations like NoW that “allegedly” phone hack and tap and….

Never mind!

albie says:

08:19am | 09/02/11

Wanna bet!
I have changed my mind and he has just gone up in my ratings.
Should of jobbed the bastard!

Mayday says:

04:01pm | 09/02/11

Bet you believe in the Easter Bunny too?!

Jim says:

06:27am | 09/02/11

Latham’s handshake (on what was essentially a man 30 years his senior and half his size) showed the world what a talentless bully-boy he was, which led to his downfall.

Abbotts dead silence, as you put it, showed remarkable restraint from a man who was rightfully furious at the gutter journalism he was anbushed with. I think it will win him more support to be honest.

Ben81 says:

10:15pm | 08/02/11

“It’s always ok for a journo to ask the question, that’s their job.”
The reporter knew very well that there’s no public interest here and knew exactly what he was doing.  That’s not their job.

“A pollie of Abbott’s stature should be able to answer that question, that’s his job.”
No it bloody well isn’t his job to play along with a mud slinging journalist, you can bet he was about to explode trying to hold his real answer in.  There was a camera in his face waiting for the footage they came for and he didn’t give it to them.

And #3 is just the usual crap so we’ll leave that one.

Seano says:

10:47pm | 08/02/11

@Ben81

“The reporter knew very well that there’s no public interest here and knew exactly what he was doing.  That’s not their job.”

It’s not a REPORTER’s job to KNOW it’s their job to ask and report.

2. “No it bloody well isn’t his job to play along with a mud slinging journalist, you can bet he was about to explode trying to hold his real answer in.  There was a camera in his face waiting for the footage they came for and he didn’t give it to them.”

Oh bollocks, leaving aside ther ridiculous right wing paranoia that the press is out to get him all Abbott had to say was the truth, it was the fact that he bumbled that made him look bad.

“And #3 is just the usual crap so we’ll leave that one.”

That would be why there are so many conservatives screaming: Gutter Journalism, grub, disgusting human, scum, Labor filth, trash, pratt etc. etc.

Not to mention the many, many demands for resignations and sackings interspersed with threats of violence. Of course people on the other side are also having a go but not with the same bile.

As usally conservatives are going to have to do better Ben, and so are you.

Ben81 says:

11:05pm | 08/02/11

“It’s not a REPORTER’s job to KNOW it’s their job to ask and report. “
Yes and there’s also a little thing called ethics that comes into play. We both know this was about nothing more than stirring up controversy.

I understand you don’t think he handled it well, that’s up to you, but somehow i’m not sure there’s anything he could have done that wouldn’t be criticised.

Seano says:

07:33am | 09/02/11

“Yes and there’s also a little thing called ethics that comes into play.”

Since when has it been unethical for a reporter to ask tough questions? Would it have been ok for Rudd to use the same defence over Scores? Is Tony Abbott a protected species.

“We both know this was about nothing more than stirring up controversy.”

I know no such thing champ. Abbott dropped “shit happens” into a conversation about the death of a digger; it’s not up to the reporter to KNOW, ASSUME or have an OPINION it’s up to him to ASK. Which is exactly what he did, he asked a tough question which a season pollie should have been able to handle. The ranting carry on over a journo doing his job is possibly going to be more damaging to Abbott than anything.

“I understand you don’t think he handled it well,”

Point blank he didn’t. He stood their swaying like a punch drunk fighter. He handled it very poorly.

“that’s up to you”

How magnanimous.

“but somehow i’m not sure there’s anything he could have done that wouldn’t be criticised.”

Well he could have done what he’s tried do subsequently (after he’d cooled down) clear up the context and issue an apology. If he’d been a half decent pollie he would have handled it, that’s his job and if he can’t do that then he’s not fit to lead.

Ben81 says:

12:44pm | 09/02/11

That’s nice Seano.  The guy tried to accuse him of making light of a soldier’s death to stir up shit when he knew that wasn’t the case ‘champ’. 
Calm down and perhaps do us all a favour by not eating it up and encouraging it.

Seano says:

01:41pm | 09/02/11

“The guy tried to accuse him of making light of a soldier’s death to stir up shit when he knew that wasn’t the case ‘champ’”

He asked Abbott to explain the context of the comment. He did so after walking through the proposed interview with Abbott’s secretary.

“Calm down and perhaps do us all a favour by not eating it up and encouraging it.”

I’m not the one ranting absurdly, champ.

Ben81 says:

05:12pm | 09/02/11

Well yeah, you pretty much are.  Thanks for illustrating yet again how politics clouds your judgement to the point that you’ll actually get worked up defending this crap, it’s a bit sad.  Go right ahead and have the last word, get it out of your system…

Seano says:

09:10pm | 09/02/11

I like the way you ignore the facts and go the ad hominem and some how think you are vindicated. Must be nice to live in your world, what colour is the sky?

Richard says:

09:48pm | 08/02/11

How could Tony Abbott have possibly said “lets make sure this bloody doesn’t happen again.”? Is the the Prime Minister? Is he the Defence Minister? You are a craven hyena to try and get political mileage out of this Dave.

jamieW says:

06:36pm | 09/02/11

And profit over something related to the death of an Australian soldier?

Hopefully you crash into a pole while marvel at your amusing little invention.

Fair’s fair, right?

AJ says:

11:41pm | 08/02/11

And Julia can?

jamie says:

06:43pm | 09/02/11

aaaaaaand.. a back stabbing union puppet PM with a monotone voice responsible for policies which have cost Australians at best billions of taxpayer dollars in wastage and at worst their lives, is a good reflection on the political culture?

Kath says:

12:11pm | 09/02/11

Um, Labor aren’t saying anything.  It’s all Channel 7.  You know, the mob who spread the rumours about the Labor Premier having an affair with the Parliamentary barmaid and the ones who staked out a Labor Transport Minister going to a bath-house in Kensington.

Reporters chase stories, and then call it news, whether it is or not.

Marlene says:

09:51pm | 08/02/11

If anything I think it is going to make him more popular ! People can see through channel 7’s grab for ratings. I know I wont be watching 7 news ever again.

Christian Real says:

08:53pm | 10/02/11

The only Ruthless gutter politics is coming from your mate “Mr “Don’t believe everything I say"Abbott

Joan says:

07:38pm | 09/02/11

I thought Abbott did well…. ignore.and stare down your adversary…. no Gillard style Aussie flag draped around him… nor snivelling….. just pure staredown your adversary technique left Riley standing like a school boy… knees a knock. knocking

Against the Man says:

05:51am | 09/02/11

She didn’t beat him. Still living in that fantasy world I see. You want to know how anyone including a can of peas can beat Gillard in the next election. Just list her non achievements, her waste of monies, the levies and taxes she has introduced and remind everyone how much more they are paying on a day to day basis since she got into the job. Gillard is just hanging on, she isn’t forging ahead, we have a zero solution PM who has just hired a Liberal to help her manage the country’s finance. She has no self respect.

Rocket says:

05:41pm | 09/02/11

“She didn’t beat him” - oh that’s right, Tony won the election and is now PM (in YOUR fantasy world that is) - but I’m glad you are still batting for him. Make sure you stop the Liberals who are plotting for his downfall at the end of 2011.

And remember - never use the “L” word - as it tends to remind people of the Gun Levy, Sugar Levy, East Timor Levy, Milk Levy.

Steve Smith says:

04:23pm | 09/02/11

Ryan
You say: ” Tony Abbott is a better man than me”, does that mean that you really think very little of yourself?

Ryan says:

08:00pm | 12/02/11

@Steve Smith: a comment such as that does little to paint you in any serious light. Schoolyard arguments should remain there when we grow up, perhaps you haven’t left school yet?

matilda says:

11:15pm | 08/02/11

You think sunny jim - maybe you need to go back thru the comments - oh and pay a visit to channel 7’s blog -  500 comments so far - its now midnight - and they are still coming in. In fact, you cannot read past the 1st page if you are trying to get on as its in meltdown. People are overwhelmingly supporting Tony Abbott and are calling for mark riley to be sacked and channel 7 to apologise to the widow and his family. I think your are hoping this will cause him damage - you are obviously a labor luvvie. This stinks of hawker-britton - seems like the flood levy will be discussed in parliament tomorrow oh and we had juliar and her fake tears today - and you think Tony has a problem. Pull the other one sunny jim.

Gary says:

07:19am | 09/02/11

He could hardly be blamed for not holding the Commander to account mate,  he hadn’t had his opportunity to play G.I. Joe and fire off some rounds at that stage.

JSatch says:

12:31am | 09/02/11

As a staunch Labor voter , even i think this is fkin disgraceful. Its not about the parties its about the gutter journalism. Lower then a snakes belly. Sack this journalist.

Steve Smith says:

11:18pm | 08/02/11

“birds of a feather flock together”, it show what kind of calibre these Liberal riff raffs are, the way they support their scumbag leader for using that expression about the ‘death of a brave Australian Soldier”.
Abbott should resign immediately, and those liberal arsewipes who condone his actions and words have shown they are no better than he is.

Your name:The CaveDweller says:

09:49am | 09/02/11

Let me reiterate again to the ignorant ranters. The comment was not made in regards to Jared McKinney’s death.

Do your own research you trolls. I refuse to be your educator.

Bob Tee says:

07:48am | 09/02/11

Agree with you Bearman 100%

John says:

03:33am | 09/02/11

That should be the headline for any true account of this media beat up:
S**t happens? It sure does!

MarK says:

10:16pm | 08/02/11

Yeh surprising that. Since it was a direct link from the main story on news.com and was all over every news and current affairs show.

They are actually probably worried about the lack of interest.

But I do like your theory. Very humorous.

Ben81 says:

10:40pm | 08/02/11

MarK - The inflammatory headline is doing its job, “S—- happens’: Tony Abbott to troops after Digger’s death “. 

It’s correct at least, I can see some shit happening.  Not on Tony Abbott’s part though.

Christian Real says:

07:10am | 09/02/11

Keithy
Your comment makes it sound like the Liberals are avid fans of ‘Get smart’

Gary says:

07:29am | 09/02/11

I was amazed how often Hockey was ‘taken out of context’ leading up to the last election.

St. Michael says:

12:35am | 09/02/11

I’ll bite.  If the PM had said the same thing, my guess is that Tones would be doing exactly what *she’s* doing right now: making no comment and staying out of the firing line.

This is not because either of them have a lot of class.  It’s mere political survivalism.  Tones would know there’s no upside to kicking the PM over a beatup like this, and that he’d only come out looking like a nutcase.

Because what’s good for the goose is good for the gander, that’s why.  If other journalists start figuring out that Paul Buongiorno’s ACA-style walkup interviewing of people and using video out of context works and is good for a few days of headlines from slanging matches, the same tactics will be tried on both sides of politics or, if God is good, on Bob Brown et. al.

John says:

12:18am | 09/02/11

Really Karen, remember Rudds and labour reaction to latham ambushing Gikkard and Rudd during the election and the big cry labour had over it. when came to Latham having a go at Tony he brushed it off,

Just note that labour is stripping the defence force of spending and increasing aid to Indonesea which it knows will go to the buyin of weopons,

Macadamia Man says:

11:23pm | 08/02/11

The Hunter S. Thompson award for original, apparently random and heartfelt contribution on a topic of overwhelming intrinsic disinterest (but massive symbolic weight) goes to . . . Zeta! What a pity pity only saddoes like me will have waded through these putrid acres of puerile ranting and virtual violence to read it . . .

AJ says:

11:58pm | 08/02/11

I have to admit, I only finished the first paragraph. When you said two second nasal breath I thought you were referring to Julia Gillard. I’m sure the rest of your writing is relating to the actual story.

St. Michael says:

12:38am | 09/02/11

@ Zeta: 3 percent body fat.  Hmm.  As long as Mugatu’s not around and the Indonesian President is not coming to tea in the near future, I think we’ll be fine.

You’ve heard they’re making Zoolander 2, aren’t you?

Cate P says:

11:50am | 09/02/11

Zeta nails it again.  Macadamia Man I always scroll through first for Zeta.

Seano says:

11:18pm | 08/02/11

There’s big a difference between realising that Abbott was not slighting a fallen digger and suddenly liking or feeling sorry for the bloke.

The buggled way he handled the original question and the over the top reaction from many conservatives hasn’t exactly been endearing Abbott or their cause to many outside his usual fan club.

Christian Real says:

05:18am | 09/02/11

S—T is the word to describe pathetic Liberals who condone and excuse Tony Abbott.

Christian Real says:

11:02pm | 08/02/11

Hansey
You have described Tony Abbott perfectly,
And it is Tony Abbott who has no respect for our fallen servicemen and women,and the scumbag should step down and resign as leader of the Opposition and from Parliament as well.
Abbott is not fit to ever grace sitting in Our Parliament ever again
l

Christian Real says:

05:22am | 09/02/11

By his comments and comments alone,Tony Abbott has shown that he ‘has no respect for our fallen servicemen and women’ who are deployed overseas.

TimB says:

07:30am | 09/02/11

Christian Real, it is you who has no respect for our armed forces. Channel 7’s attempts to use the death of one of our troops to try and smear Abbott is disgusting and vile. And by you jumping on their bandwagon, you prove yourself to be equally vile.

Capitalist and proud says:

11:11pm | 08/02/11

Wow Joyce. Nice rant. So which Left-wing commie nut job group do you belong to?

matilda says:

11:23pm | 08/02/11

Oh my, the labor trolls are working overtime tonight.  Just love to deflect away from the issue dont you joyce. What a pathetic lot you are. Waste, waste, waste and tax tax tax. Socialists that would trash everything Australians hold dear.
Australians are a wake up to the communists that are infiltrating the “old labor”. The great labor men of old would weep if they knew what this “new labor” is all about.  Go back to your european bloc - and take dear juliar with you!

Arnie says:

05:46am | 09/02/11

What Joyce said.

If he’d ever worn the Australian uniform somwehere in sight of heavy metal flying on evil bent, then he might have had the “context” to get away with such a throw away.

Instead - typically Abbott - in the middle of a contived photo-op he opened his mouth and left his brain switched off. Tough.

But is that the whole the issue? Nah. The bigger thing is that, caught on camera, he carried on when faced with the sight of a hole he dug all by himself.  Frozen with rage.

And worse, still can’t bring himself to admit either. Even now. Typical Abbott. Does he actually realise how big both failures, live to camera , are?

Not too different from the levy letter fiasco. Left it to Hockey to finally fess up - it was a “mistake” - they got it wrong.

One thing we can be sure of. There will be more blunders just like these. We can only hope he’s not in an important job or big crisis , next time he does it .

GaryT says:

05:53am | 09/02/11

It wouldn’t have mattered what response he gave Mark Riley. The whole idea of the story was to ambush Abbott and make him look uncaring. Gillards polling was down this week and we hardly heard boo about it. They held onto this footage and decided when to unleash it to cause maximum damage to Abbott. The diggers widow has issued a statement not taking issue with Abbott and saying she understands he meant no offence. Also the Australian Defence have come out and backed Abbotts comments. So now the media are going after him because of his reaction to the footage he was shown. Most people can relate to the anger Abbott must have felt when he realised he had been set up.

Andy says:

05:57am | 09/02/11

He must of been stunned that the media would stoop so low just to get a story , the media dose not care who they upset to create a story. They are the scum of the earth.

iolp says:

08:59am | 09/02/11

Turnbull and Hockey are both carbon tax pushers
no thanks
prefer Abbott any day of the week

SloppyJoe says:

07:49pm | 09/02/11

Wow - should Turnbull and Hockey ever find themselves in the unlikely positions of leadership in this country, we’ll all need to pack our bags and run like hell at the earliest opportunity.

Jim says:

06:41am | 09/02/11

“Kudos to the Labor guys for not getting involved and trying to score points from it, that shows class on your behalf.”

Oh it will come today kp…as sure as shit’s in a cat it’ll come today. The focus groups and faceless men would have worked overtime to come up with a campaign against Abbott on this. And Labors own paid-up spin doctor persephone will bore us to tears with hundreds of paragraphs of her usual tripe.

Ken says:

02:08pm | 09/02/11

I think Tony Abbott’s silence wasn’t brought about by thinking of himself, he was trying his best to not add anything further to the discussion of the young soldiers death and therefore cause more hurt and embarrassment than what the idiot reporter had already set in place.
This would also be a very real explanation for not wanting the piece to be aired. Would be interesting to know what the truth is?

Kassie says:

06:53am | 09/02/11

St Michael,
“The silence is like a Rorschach inkblot and reveals more about the observer than the subject.” 
Thank you. That is one of the most interesting comments that I’ve read on this whole unedifying spectacle.
Whatever one thinks of TA I think that most people would agree with you that it’s a beat-up. In the end It really just reinforces most peoples’ preconceived prejudices.
However, I do notice a change in the commentary from the “authorised ALP mouthpieces” on this blog; the spin is now changing from what TA said (as most fair-minded people do not see his comments as disparaging) to his silence in response to the journalist.
Overall, what a sad reflection on the standards of political commentary in this country.

dobbieb says:

07:34am | 09/02/11

He was trying to decide whether or not he should flatten that jerk reporter or not. I believe he is capable physically of doing that but instead he swallowed it and walked away. Marks out of 100. Abbott 100, reporter NIL

vespuccia says:

12:29pm | 10/02/11

Wipe the drool from your keyboard Dobbieb. I can see you can relate to psycho behaviour.

Mario says:

07:01am | 09/02/11

Well you may think and now the media also may think that his “shit happens” comment didn’t get the reaction that they, channel 7 and others predicted and wanted so now they go for the reaction to the reporter angle. I bet channel 7 hated the fact that the diggers widow took no offence and that the ADA also defended his comment.

Robert says:

10:00am | 09/02/11

Mario you’re been selective, the soldiers father said he was sickened by Abbotts comments.

Z says:

07:37am | 09/02/11

Yawn@Nossy

I’d be more concerned about the 32% primary vote that ‘shark eyes’ commands even with Tony as opposition leader.

vespuccia says:

12:45pm | 10/02/11

Well said. I can give Abbott the benefit of the doubt and accept that he wasn’t making light of the soldier’s death, but that sort of language is not worthy of a statesman, and I would not use it even if only distantly related to the circumstances of a tragic death.

Christian Real says:

07:52am | 09/02/11

Robert
I agree with the comments that you have written,Abbott should stand down and resign as Leader of the opposition, he is not fit enough to lead, or be Leader of anything, not now, not ever

Owen says:

10:38am | 11/02/11

Yes @Robert, and Riley forewarned Tony Abbott’s office with advice that he would be exploiting the death of a digger by misrepresenting comments made by Tony Abbot, editing out the agreement from an Australian General and US Colonel, to remove all context, and then purporting to be a professional journalist when clearly he is not.  For the simple minded who dont understand the context of the word ‘ambush’ in this particular grubby affair - it was the content of the interview not the “2.5 hours” warning or lack thereof.  Or is that simple bit too hard too comprehend?

Accountability says:

07:49am | 09/02/11

@ Roddy. Obviously free speech, freedom of information and transparency are not your thing. The world could do with more whistleblowers and brave souls like Assange. The p….s are the cover up merchants and their apologists.

Signed
Accountability forever

rough-ready says:

08:14am | 09/02/11

The difference is the woman did not choose to be caught in a terrible flood with her child. Soldiers choose to join the armed forces, and therefore accept the dangers.
And might I say, we should be ever grateful to our armed forces, and supportive of both people like the mother, and the soldiers and their families.
The issues are too different to compare.

GB says:

09:11am | 09/02/11

No Robert, what is beyond belief is you rusted on ALP hacks trying to score cheap political points out of a story that is so far off the mark it’s not even funny. Shame on you and all you stand for.

Robert says:

09:54am | 09/02/11

There was no difference in that both the soldier killed and woman who lost her baby were in positions beyond their control, the difference was Gillard wasn’t stupid enough to insensitively say shit happens.

Robert says:

10:08am | 09/02/11

GB if Abbott had of been capable of explaining how he had been taken out of context instead of inanely standing in stunned silence for 20 seconds it mightn’t have been so much of a story, because of this inexplicable silence alone he has become a liability to the Liberal Party.

dobbieb says:

07:41am | 09/02/11

Its not just Channel 7 either. On the 7PM Project, another of the Journalistic Gutter Grubs, Steve Price attempted to denigate Abbott by engaging Australia’s newest VC winner. No Luck there as the soldier fended him away like an annopying fly. Then on the 7:30 Report, ABC, Heather Hewitt doing her darndest to grill Joe Hockey into making some sort of statement which she could use to take the matter further.

Greta says:

08:36am | 09/02/11

Stunned silence because Riley was using the death of a digger to score points and sensationalise the story!

MarK says:

08:44am | 09/02/11

“Mark Riley said he had spoken to a Liberal Party backbencher this morning who told him that the Liberal party was going to flood the blogs today “

What the hell I will bite..

Source please.

“what we got was stunned silence. “

What we got was a amazing display of control and a perfect reaction to the situation.

Zeta says:

09:01am | 09/02/11

I call shenanigans. The likelihood of a Liberal backbencher talking to Mark Riley this morning is pretty small. Abbott’s press secretary would have sent out an email over night sending Riley to coventry for the rest of his career, he’ll never get a useable grab off of a Liberal MP again.

TimB says:

09:21am | 09/02/11

Robert explain why known Labor supporters are here defending Tony Abbott then (not all, but quite a few).

Maybe they’re sleeper agents. Planted by the Liberal propaganda machine to spend years pretending to support Labor, only sto show their true colours once given the signal, thus lending an air of authenticity to their protests.

Yep, it’s all one big Liberal conspiracy. Years in the making.

(PS. We shot JFK too)

Breas says:

02:39pm | 09/02/11

Yeh because Mark Riley is a reliable source!

Susan says:

09:01am | 09/02/11

The frozen stare was because he was holding back from not punching the gutter journalist in the face, which he thorougly deserved. 
These remarks by the Punch about Tony Abbott are also digusting.  I usually enjoy your articles,which I usually add to my FB page,  but turns out to be another muck raking session.  about Tony Abbott.  Shame on you,  you have lost me….

Seano says:

09:23am | 09/02/11

Yes I don’t think there’s been enough made of Abbott’s office trying to block the release of the footage.

Firstly, is that the kind of democracy we want, where pollies get to sensor anything they find unflattering?

Secondly, it shows that Abbott’s office (and logically Abbott) knew about the footage so he should have been prepared for the question before it was asked and therefore should have handled it better.

Seano says:

11:02am | 09/02/11

Did you read the article Susan or did you just jump on the ranting bandwagon?

There was nothing in the article that biased or unfair to Abbott. It was more reportage of the facts.

Is that the society you want to live in though? One where reporting the facts even second hand gets a reporter labelled a grub etc? One where pollies punch on with journos who ask them hard questions? What next blocking uncomplimentary footage, oh wait Abbott tried that. What about disappearing journos who might have something you don’t want shown on TV?

I certainly don’t want to live in a totalitarian state but that’s the sort of thing that happens in countries that let pollies run the show without censure.

Laura says:

11:21am | 09/02/11

Me thinks you may be overreacting just a tad… saying that Abbott should have belted Riley, is not really ‘extreme’.. maybe violent, but it isn’t exactly homicidal now is it?

Michael Creighton says:

12:04pm | 09/02/11

Of course you are right Laura.  Belting someone in the head because they have irritated you is just fine.  I will man up from now on. And vote for Tony Abbott.

dia says:

10:58am | 09/02/11

cdm

i’d rather the real tony than the fake ju-liar any day

Scott says:

12:11pm | 09/02/11

dia: you’re 100% correct.

Laura says:

11:18am | 09/02/11

Yep, you don’t need a doctorate in political science to figure it out..

Scott says:

12:09pm | 09/02/11

The journo deserved a beat down. But pollies just can’t do that, especially with a camera stuck in your face.
Abbott held it well, but you could tell hje wanted to let loose.

it was clearly out of context and it was a clear ambush.

Parsley says:

12:19pm | 09/02/11

3 word slogans? I wonder who you work for.

David C says:

09:55am | 09/02/11

except the soldiers around him are heard to be agreeing with him?

charlie says:

10:46am | 09/02/11

Actually not really this was low for anyone standards, most of those people commenting do not even understand why they vote or why they dislike Abbott. I am a lefty and do not like Abbott at all however this was a media beat up and there is no way Abbott meant to insult or harm anyone. I think he was genuine and concerned about our soldiers over there. I have some respect for him the fact he held his ground and did not clock the reporter what a nasty accusation to make about a person. I am concerned about the wife and her little bub seems like Abbott might have been as well. Stuff you ch 7 the world has better things to focus on. I think people i they have not already boycotted 7 their reporting is rubbish.

Laura says:

10:31am | 09/02/11

It’ll be a hot topic over lamingtons and tea at the CWA meetings!

Christian Real says:

04:07pm | 09/02/11

Jim
Dream on Jim, if you think and believe Tony Abbott ‘is probably the most honest politician in the country’