Quote:

THE death of Margaret Whitlam caused such an outpouring of saddened fondness that comments by the Opposition Leader, Tony Abbott, linking her passing with the sins of the Whitlam government appear to have struck an extremely wrong note. He said she was a ''woman of style and substance'' and ''a marvellous consort to a very significant Labor leader and an epochal Australian prime minister''. ''There was a lot wrong with the Whitlam government but nevertheless, it was a very significant episode in our history and Margaret Whitlam was a very significant element in the political success of Gough Whitlam,'' Mr Abbott said. Several letters to Fairfax newspapers accused Mr Abbott of inappropriately scoring a political point, of being vindictive, and an affront to basic decency. Beth Muller, of Glenorchy, Tasmania, said Mr Abbott's comments were his most outrageous and unstatesmanlike yet. ''I apologise to Mr Whitlam and his family for this disgusting and hurtful remark on the death of Margaret Whitlam, and assure him and his family that Tony Abbott's churlish behaviour is not the behaviour that I expect from any Australian, let alone one who thinks this kind of behaviour will enable him to become the prime minister,'' she said. Meanwhile, Malcolm Fraser, the man who took Mr Whitlam's place as prime minister, said Mr Whitlam had confided to him his sadness at no longer living under the same roof as Mrs Whitlam when he recently moved into a retirement centre for extra care. ''They were very close. I know that when Gough had to go into a place where he had to get a bit more care than at home, he was very upset that he wasn't under the same roof as Margaret,'' Mr Fraser said. Mrs Whitlam, 92, died in St Vincent's Private Hospital in Darlinghurst on 7am on Saturday with her children at her bedside. Mr Whitlam, 95, travelled from his Elizabeth Bay nursing home to the hospital last week to be with his wife. He said: ''She was a remarkable person and the love of my life. We were married for almost 70 years. She encouraged and sustained me and our four children, their families and many other people in a life full of engagement with Australians from all walks of life.'' The Whitlams's children, Antony, Nicholas, Stephen and Catherine, called the couple an ideal match. ''Her marriage to Gough in 1942 marked the beginning of a true political and personal partnership. He admired her intellect, wit and commitment to improving the lives of others; she described him as 'delicious' and ensured his feet remained well-grounded.'' The federal government has offered a state funeral, if the family wishes.

http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/political-news/abbott-accused-of-scoring-cheap-points-in-his-tribute-20120318-1vdou.html#ixzz1pVDI0X8d

A weekend of red barron's bile must have desensitized me as the comments from Abbott don't seem offensive at all. Although he has probably broken one of those unwritten rules of statesmanship.

Do we need anymore proof that Abbott is nothing more than a diseased dog?

There was a lot wrong with the Whitlam government but nevertheless, it was a very significant episode in our history and Margaret Whitlam was a very significant element in the political success of Gough Whitlam,'' Mr Abbott said.

Several letters to Fairfax newspapers accused Mr Abbott of inappropriately scoring a political point, of being vindictive, and an affront to basic decency.




god thats outrageous...whatever next a LIE and say

the WHitlam govt was the best we had ever had...sounds much better doesnt it..


roll on the newsmedia watch.... this would never have got into print..

I wonder if labor/greens have thought of that..  ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D;D ;D ;D

adelcrow wrote on Mar 19^th, 2012 at 6:58am:

Do we need anymore proof that Abbott is nothing more than a diseased dog?

oh look! its a bring on THOMO for PM groupie..

adelcrow wrote on Mar 19^th, 2012 at 6:58am:

Do we need anymore proof that Abbott is nothing more than a diseased dog?

I just like rubbing their noses into the dirt about how much Abbott and the liberal party would be the worst thing ever for Australia.


Yeah I admited labor is not too hot at the moment but they are 100% better then the Liberals would ever be.

cods wrote on Mar 19^th, 2012 at 8:03am:

There was a lot wrong with the Whitlam government but nevertheless, it was a very significant episode in our history and Margaret Whitlam was a very significant element in the political success of Gough Whitlam,'' Mr Abbott said. Several letters to Fairfax newspapers accused Mr Abbott of inappropriately scoring a political point, of being vindictive, and an affront to basic decency. god thats outrageous...whatever next a LIE and say the WHitlam govt was the best we had ever had...sounds much better doesnt it.. roll on the newsmedia watch.... this would never have got into print.. I wonder if labor/greens have thought of that..

the WHitlam govt was the best we had ever had

A lot of people believe that is the case in fact.

On a balanced view it was one of our best governments in many ways.

There was no need for Mr Abbott to say this however but he also didn't need to include the liberal historical re write either.

Pointing out his belief on that governments performance was simply not required and out of place, but very consistant with the Abbott performance over many years.

He could have just said poo happens after all.

In his defence I have to say that I do not believe that he is really the grub that he sometimes makes himself appear to be.

bomen_guy wrote on Mar 19^th, 2012 at 8:12am:

adelcrow wrote on Mar 19th, 2012 at 6:58am: Do we need anymore proof that Abbott is nothing more than a diseased dog? I just like rubbing their noses into the dirt about how much Abbott and the liberal party would be the worst thing ever for Australia. Yeah I admited labor is not too hot at the moment but they are 100% better then the Liberals would ever be.

And you know this how.  Opps I know your daddy vote LABOR ALL HIS LIFE   ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

Dnarever wrote on Mar 19^th, 2012 at 8:13am:

cods wrote on Mar 19th, 2012 at 8:03am: There was a lot wrong with the Whitlam government but nevertheless, it was a very significant episode in our history and Margaret Whitlam was a very significant element in the political success of Gough Whitlam,'' Mr Abbott said. Several letters to Fairfax newspapers accused Mr Abbott of inappropriately scoring a political point, of being vindictive, and an affront to basic decency. god thats outrageous...whatever next a LIE and say the WHitlam govt was the best we had ever had...sounds much better doesnt it.. roll on the newsmedia watch.... this would never have got into print.. I wonder if labor/greens have thought of that..  the WHitlam govt was the best we had ever had A lot of people believe that is the case in fact. On a balanced view it was one of our best governments in many ways. There was no need for Mr Abbott to say this however but he also didn't need to include the liberal historical re write either. Pointing out his belief on that governments performance was simply not required and out of place, but very consistant with the Abbott performance over many years. He could have just said poo happens after all. In his defence I have to say that I do not believe that he is really the grub that he sometimes makes himself appear to be.

you are right of course...



DO YOU GUYS THINK IT WAS OKAY WHAT MR CARR SAID IN HIS SPEECH .. SAYING ABBOTT VOTERS  ARE HYNOTISED BY A CIRCUS..


at least abbott wasnt making a speech..


I find it rather defensive the way the lefties jump on every little word Abbott says..

hilarious in fact.. toughen up guys yoiu are coming over like a lot of wishy washy  labor voters

FRED. wrote on Mar 19^th, 2012 at 8:15am:

bomen_guy wrote on Mar 19th, 2012 at 8:12am: adelcrow wrote on Mar 19th, 2012 at 6:58am: Do we need anymore proof that Abbott is nothing more than a diseased dog? I just like rubbing their noses into the dirt about how much Abbott and the liberal party would be the worst thing ever for Australia. Yeah I admited labor is not too hot at the moment but they are 100% better then the Liberals would ever be. And you know this how.  Opps I know your daddy vote LABOR ALL HIS LIFE   ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

I been following politics since 1961 so I would have a fair idea, I have also been a member of the young labor and the labor party.

Yes dad voted labor all his life and so did mum and my grandfather was a labor member of NSW parliament back in the 30s. So I would have a bit of knowledge on the way things are.

Now what is your experience on how things work fred, The Daily Telegraph

Yes dad voted labor all his life and so did mum and my grandfather was a labor member of NSW parliament back in the 30s. So I would have a bit of knowledge on the way things are.

No more needs to be said

Daddy and mummy told you so 

;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

cods wrote on Mar 19^th, 2012 at 8:20am:

DO YOU GUYS THINK IT WAS OKAY WHAT MR CARR SAID IN HIS SPEECH .. SAYING ABBOTT VOTERS  ARE HYNOTISED BY A CIRCUS.. at least abbott wasnt making a speech.. I find it rather defensive the way the lefties jump on every little word Abbott says.. hilarious in fact.. toughen up guys yoiu are coming over like a lot of wishy washy  labor voters

I hadn't seen that one but it looks to be a rather accurate analogy.


Quote:

"I thought of this over breakfast: Tony Abbott is like a cheapskate hypnotist in a rundown circus," he said. "He's saying to the electorate, Look into my eyes, you are growing weaker: No more boats. "Look into my eyes you are growing weaker: end Labor's big bad tax. Look into my eyes you are growing weaker: debt and deficit. "He's trying to hypnotise the electorate with these slogans. It's a very cheap performance. "And if you paid five bucks to get into Wirths Circus and that's all you got from the hypnotists, you'd ask for your money back."

OKAY WHAT MR CARR SAID IN HIS SPEECH .. SAYING ABBOTT VOTERS  ARE HYNOTISED BY A CIRCUS..


at least abbott wasnt making a speech..


I find it rather defensive the way the lefties jump on every little word Abbott says..

hilarious in fact.. toughen up guys yoiu are coming over like a lot of wishy washy  labor voters


I hadn't seen that one but it looks to be a rather accurate analogy.
dna


ok so what do you call what we have.???


at least the libs dont change leaders everytime a poll goes down.. if it isnt a circus of backflips and somersaults I dont know what you have..


but keep believing you believe all the lies so why not this.. ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

maybe it was a gillard lie.. when she said there will be NO CARBON TAX.... she meant YES THERE WILL BE A CARBON TAX we just got it wrong..


so maybe when Abbott said  there was a lot wrong with the whitlam govt.. he really said..

there was a lot wrong with the whitlam govt... duh!!!!!!!!

FRED. wrote on Mar 19^th, 2012 at 8:35am:

Yes dad voted labor all his life and so did mum and my grandfather was a labor member of NSW parliament back in the 30s. So I would have a bit of knowledge on the way things are. No more needs to be said Daddy and mummy told you so  ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

yes most lefties cant think outside the box..
its easy just wearing blinkers and following the mob

Like it or not, boys and girls, the Whitlam govt is WIDELY derided as the worst in australian history and is fairly well proven by the massive electoral thumping they received - the worst ever.

Historical revisionism is a classic left-wing ploy, but the facts remain that there are people today who wont vote labor just because of Whitlam.

Whitlam was a towering intellect wrpapped in massive ego and surrounded by bumbling fools. Any good ideas he had sank beneath a sea of brutal incompetence. Margaret was just his wife.

bomen_guy wrote on Mar 19^th, 2012 at 8:27am:

FRED. wrote on Mar 19th, 2012 at 8:15am: bomen_guy wrote on Mar 19th, 2012 at 8:12am: adelcrow wrote on Mar 19th, 2012 at 6:58am: Do we need anymore proof that Abbott is nothing more than a diseased dog? I just like rubbing their noses into the dirt about how much Abbott and the liberal party would be the worst thing ever for Australia. Yeah I admited labor is not too hot at the moment but they are 100% better then the Liberals would ever be. And you know this how.  Opps I know your daddy vote LABOR ALL HIS LIFE   ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D I been following politics since 1961 so I would have a fair idea, I have also been a member of the young labor and the labor party. Yes dad voted labor all his life and so did mum and my grandfather was a labor member of NSW parliament back in the 30s. So I would have a bit of knowledge on the way things are. Now what is your experience on how things work fred, The Daily Telegraph

all that shows is that you know how things WERE a long time ago. as for now... you dont seem to have much idea.

cods wrote on Mar 19^th, 2012 at 9:03am:

FRED. wrote on Mar 19th, 2012 at 8:35am: Yes dad voted labor all his life and so did mum and my grandfather was a labor member of NSW parliament back in the 30s. So I would have a bit of knowledge on the way things are. No more needs to be said Daddy and mummy told you so  ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D yes most lefties cant think outside the box.. its easy just wearing blinkers and following the mob

Do you feel that you are more flexible with the mob you follow?

Dnarever wrote on Mar 19^th, 2012 at 9:14am:

cods wrote on Mar 19th, 2012 at 9:03am: FRED. wrote on Mar 19th, 2012 at 8:35am: Yes dad voted labor all his life and so did mum and my grandfather was a labor member of NSW parliament back in the 30s. So I would have a bit of knowledge on the way things are. No more needs to be said Daddy and mummy told you so  ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D yes most lefties cant think outside the box.. its easy just wearing blinkers and following the mob Do you feel that you are more flexible with the mob you follow?

;D ;D ;D Unlike your good self   ;D ;D ;D

longweekend58 wrote on Mar 19^th, 2012 at 9:04am:

Like it or not, boys and girls, the Whitlam govt is WIDELY derided as the worst in australian history and is fairly well proven by the massive electoral thumping they received - the worst ever. Historical revisionism is a classic left-wing ploy, but the facts remain that there are people today who wont vote labor just because of Whitlam. Whitlam was a towering intellect wrpapped in massive ego and surrounded by bumbling fools. Any good ideas he had sank beneath a sea of brutal incompetence. Margaret was just his wife.

that there are people today who wont vote labor just because of Whitlam.

You do recall that for over a decade we had a Labor Government with Hawke and Keating largely because of the mess left by Fraser / Howard.

That is right we had about 13 years of Labor government mainly because people were frightened by the economic incompetence of the previous Liberals - mostly due to Howards efforts as a failed treasurer - the worst ever.

Clearly the vast majority in the 80's had already been keen to go to Labor and the historical re write of Whitlam’s government had yet to be authored by the conservatives.

Whitlam govt is WIDELY derided as the worst in Australian history and is fairly well proven by the massive electoral thumping they received

So the Massive thumping the Howard government received is an indication that it would be historically considered to be a very poor government – While I would agree that it is the case I do not agree that the final election result is in any way an indication of the fact.

Dnarever wrote on Mar 19^th, 2012 at 9:27am:

longweekend58 wrote on Mar 19th, 2012 at 9:04am: Like it or not, boys and girls, the Whitlam govt is WIDELY derided as the worst in australian history and is fairly well proven by the massive electoral thumping they received - the worst ever. Historical revisionism is a classic left-wing ploy, but the facts remain that there are people today who wont vote labor just because of Whitlam. Whitlam was a towering intellect wrpapped in massive ego and surrounded by bumbling fools. Any good ideas he had sank beneath a sea of brutal incompetence. Margaret was just his wife. that there are people today who wont vote labor just because of Whitlam. You do recall that for over a decade we had a Labor Government with Hawke and Keating largely because of the mess left by Fraser / Howard. That is right we had about 13 years of Labor government mainly because people were frightened by the economic incompetence of the previous Liberals - mostly due to Howards efforts as a failed treasurer - the worst ever. Clearly the vast majority in the 80's had already been keen to go to Labor and the historical re write of Whitlam’s government had yet to be authored by the conservatives. Whitlam govt is WIDELY derided as the worst in Australian history and is fairly well proven by the massive electoral thumping they received So the Massive thumping the Howard government received is an indication that it would be historically considered to be a very poor government – While I would agree that it is the case I do not agree that the final election result is in any way an indication of the fact.

a point of fact is that Rudds victory was the second SMALLEST majority for an incoming govt. hardly the stuff of a thumping.

as for the so-called labor decade. hawke was nearly defeated in 1987 and would have been if not for Joh and his idiotic Joh for PM campaign.

and in any case, you can easily claim that howard was a good Pm (12 years) and that hake keating were a good govt (13 yrs) but youcant make that calim for whitlam (3 years).

FRED. wrote on Mar 19^th, 2012 at 9:25am:

Dnarever wrote on Mar 19th, 2012 at 9:14am: cods wrote on Mar 19th, 2012 at 9:03am: FRED. wrote on Mar 19th, 2012 at 8:35am: Yes dad voted labor all his life and so did mum and my grandfather was a labor member of NSW parliament back in the 30s. So I would have a bit of knowledge on the way things are. No more needs to be said Daddy and mummy told you so  ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D yes most lefties cant think outside the box.. its easy just wearing blinkers and following the mob Do you feel that you are more flexible with the mob you follow? Unlike your good self

Never said any different but I think I am a bit more flexible than most would realise.

I was more conservative prior to the Howard government and will not be voting Labor in the next election unless I see some substantial and specific change.

It is about a remarkable and loving woman who was married for 70 years to a loving husband and had four children who will miss her passing every day.....Dragging her into the political debate is disgusting and shows a lack of substance I have come to expect from right wing fringe dwellers like Tony Abbott and his supporters!!!

longweekend58 wrote on Mar 19^th, 2012 at 9:04am:

Like it or not, boys and girls, the Whitlam govt is WIDELY derided as the worst in australian history and is fairly well proven by the massive electoral thumping they received - the worst ever. Historical revisionism is a classic left-wing ploy, but the facts remain that there are people today who wont vote labor just because of Whitlam. Whitlam was a towering intellect wrpapped in massive ego and surrounded by bumbling fools. Any good ideas he had sank beneath a sea of brutal incompetence. Margaret was just his wife.

ALL of which is completely irrelevant to the point under discussion EVEN IF it were true. The point is that if Tony the Twat couldn't find something good to say about a respected woman on the day of her death then he should have kept his stupid mouth SHUT.

It was neither the time nor the place, especially for a would-be leader of this country. But as usual, the bugger showed all the grace and diplomacy of a circus clown. And naturally the conga line completely fails to understand this most simple point.

You lot are no brain, all arsehole. YOU all want to go have a good look at yourselves in the mirror that you seem to think someone's death is an opportunity for cheap point scoring.

Gist wrote on Mar 19^th, 2012 at 10:06am:

longweekend58 wrote on Mar 19th, 2012 at 9:04am: Like it or not, boys and girls, the Whitlam govt is WIDELY derided as the worst in australian history and is fairly well proven by the massive electoral thumping they received - the worst ever. Historical revisionism is a classic left-wing ploy, but the facts remain that there are people today who wont vote labor just because of Whitlam. Whitlam was a towering intellect wrpapped in massive ego and surrounded by bumbling fools. Any good ideas he had sank beneath a sea of brutal incompetence. Margaret was just his wife. ALL of which is completely irrelevant to the point under discussion EVEN IF it were true. The point is that if Tony the Twat couldn't find something good to say about a respected woman on the day of her death then he should have kept his stupid mouth SHUT. It was neither the time nor the place, especially for a would-be leader of this country. But as usual, the bugger showed all the grace and diplomacy of a circus clown. And naturally the conga line completely fails to understand this most simple point. You lot are no brain, all arsehole. YOU all want to go have a good look at yourselves in the mirror that you seem to think someone's death is an opportunity for cheap point scoring.

'

;D ;D  Just like your TRYING to do   ;D ;D ;D ;D

Gough Whitlam gave us modern multiculturalism, Medicare, free university education and Aboriginal reconciliation just to name a few of his achievements.....He did more in 3 years than Howard did in over a decade!!!

philperth2010 wrote on Mar 19^th, 2012 at 10:25am:

Gough Whitlam gave us modern multiculturalism, Medicare, free university education and Aboriginal reconciliation just to name a few of his achievements.....He did more in 3 years than Howard did in over a decade!!!

aboriginal reconciliation??? hadnt notice that had happened. Free uni education proved to be unafforable and was removed by Keating. Medicare was good altho like all of whitams policies was not funded correctly. multiculturalism doesnt necessarily fit into the positive side of the ledger.

FRED. wrote on Mar 19^th, 2012 at 10:17am:

;D ;D  Just like your TRYING to do   ;D ;D ;D ;D

Of course I never did expect that the congenitally stupid among the conga line of suckholes would even begin to understand.

longweekend58 wrote on Mar 19^th, 2012 at 10:29am:

philperth2010 wrote on Mar 19th, 2012 at 10:25am: Gough Whitlam gave us modern multiculturalism, Medicare, free university education and Aboriginal reconciliation just to name a few of his achievements.....He did more in 3 years than Howard did in over a decade!!! aboriginal reconciliation??? hadnt notice that had happened. Free uni education proved to be unafforable and was removed by Keating. Medicare was good altho like all of whitams policies was not funded correctly. multiculturalism doesnt necessarily fit into the positive side of the ledger.

howard gave us ????????????????????????????????????

He didn't say anything that was untrue or disrespectful. Storm in a tea cup!

Armchair_Politician wrote on Mar 19^th, 2012 at 3:09pm:

He didn't say anything that was untrue or disrespectful. Storm in a tea cup!

A lot of people would say that he managed to do both.

cods wrote on Mar 19^th, 2012 at 8:20am:

DO YOU GUYS THINK IT WAS OKAY WHAT MR CARR SAID IN HIS SPEECH .. SAYING ABBOTT VOTERS  ARE HYNOTISED BY A CIRCUS.. at least abbott wasnt making a speech.. I find it rather defensive the way the lefties jump on every little word Abbott says.. hilarious in fact.. toughen up guys yoiu are coming over like a lot of wishy washy  labor voters

What absolute crap you just posted.  What on earth do Carr's comments have to do with it?  After all, Abbott is still around to defend himself if he takes offence to what Carr said.

What we saw was someone make a cheap political point at the expense of a grieving husband and family when commenting on the passing of Margaret Whitlam.  They haven't even held her funeral yet!  Abbott clearly has no respect for the dead nor cares for the feelings of the bereaved.  I think you would have to go a long way back before you found a politician saying something as callous as this.

Do you really think that it is proper to treat the dead like this?

I know what it is like to lose a loved one and my heart goes out to Gough Whitlam.  He must be missing her terribly, and insensitive comments like Abbott's must hurt.

Dnarever wrote on Mar 19^th, 2012 at 3:45pm:

Armchair_Politician wrote on Mar 19th, 2012 at 3:09pm: He didn't say anything that was untrue or disrespectful. Storm in a tea cup! A lot of people would say that he managed to do both.

Not me.

Armchair_Politician wrote on Mar 19^th, 2012 at 4:28pm:

Dnarever wrote on Mar 19th, 2012 at 3:45pm: Armchair_Politician wrote on Mar 19th, 2012 at 3:09pm: He didn't say anything that was untrue or disrespectful. Storm in a tea cup! A lot of people would say that he managed to do both. Not me.

Whether it was true or not is, perhaps, debatable.  It was, however, disrespectful, and disgustingly so.

Tony Abbott is a bad hypnotist trying to yell his way to power!

F...k Margaret Whitlam...I am sick to dfeath of hearing about what a great person she was. You can read my story on 'Margaret Whitlam Dies, the Nation grieves but not me'....I'm glad that f.....g bitch is dead. Now I'll finally get closure!

Abbotts a cowardly dirtbag that abuses the sick, the elderly, the dying and the dead and genuflects at the feet of the billionaires that finance his party.

red baron wrote on Mar 19^th, 2012 at 5:45pm:

F...k Margaret Whitlam...I am sick to dfeath of hearing about what a great person she was. You can read my story on 'Margaret Whitlam Dies, the Nation grieves but not me'....I'm glad that f.....g bitch is dead. Now I'll finally get closure!

Yes, please go and read how this scum has been outed as a total liar.

Gist wrote on Mar 19^th, 2012 at 5:58pm:

red baron wrote on Mar 19th, 2012 at 5:45pm: F...k Margaret Whitlam...I am sick to dfeath of hearing about what a great person she was. You can read my story on 'Margaret Whitlam Dies, the Nation grieves but not me'....I'm glad that f.....g bitch is dead. Now I'll finally get closure! Yes, please go and read how this scum has been outed as a total liar.

Yep..the PMs wife took a personal interest in screwing his parents over their pension when it was the job of the lowest public servant.

The Rights fruitless efforts to try and justify this make me want to puke. An absolute disgrace.