A far north Queensland motel says it has been left out of pocket by the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet over a last-minute cancellation, and the owner blames Tony Abbott

The bookings were made a fortnight ago, but Mr Mills said he was only notified less than two days before check-in that more than $53,000 worth of accommodation would not be required.

Mr Mills said the department booked 44 rooms for seven nights, from August 11 to 17, but only ended up staying in up to 11 of those rooms

Mr Mills said he has been left out of pocket because he had to turn away many prospective customers from the remote motel.

www.abc.net.au/news/2015-08-25/pm-blamed-for-torres-strait-motel-getting-stiffed...

How stupid must you be to book 44 rooms when you only need 11? I hope they pay this bloke for loss of income.

Admittedly the owners probably dumb for not taking payment in advance.

Johnsmith wrote on Aug 25^th, 2015 at 9:46am:


44 rooms?  Does Tony have to take his entire staff with him everywhere he goes - even to suck up to Mabo-landers?

Where does this troughing stop?  He could fly in with a couple of flunkeys and four security guys - stay a night, suck up to the traditional land-holders, then fly out again.

The press pay for their own...

Armchair_Politician wrote on Aug 25^th, 2015 at 10:57am:



Who said Abbott booked the accommodation? You'd do well to learn to read before calling people idiots, otherwise you only confirm your position as the idiot.

Desperate for an anti-Abbott story today John.

I thought you were a small business person yourself, in which case you would know that you have to take the knocks when they come.

This bloke has hit the media numbers hoping for a pay-off. Good luck to him.

bogarde73 wrote on Aug 25^th, 2015 at 11:45am:


Just buy the SMH or go to the ABC website for a fix....

Swagman wrote on Aug 25^th, 2015 at 1:22pm:


Go to the ABC and find out how twatta works

Q&A: ABC boss Mark Scott apologises to Tony Abbott over tweet

Updated 40 minutes ago



Q&A tweet
Photo: ABC boss Mark Scott has apologised to Tony Abbott over the tweet. (ABC)

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Map:  Australia

The ABC has apologised to Prime Minister Tony Abbott over an offensive tweet broadcast on last night's Q&A program.

In what Communications Minister Malcolm Turnbull said was a "Groundhog Day moment", the program aired a tweet from an account that had as its handle an offensive reference to the PM.

New South Wales MP Fiona Scott tweeted: "What a disgraceful Twitter handle for @QandA to broadcast!"

Mr Turnbull personally phoned ABC managing director Mark Scott to complain and demand an apology.

"In what felt like a Groundhog Day moment yet again in the early hours of Tuesday, I spoke with Mark Scott about another unedifying incident at QandA," a statement from Mr Turnbull's office said.

"The tweet should obviously never have been put on the screen and the fact that it was underlines the need for better supervision of the program.

"I am assured by Mr Scott the offensive tweet will not appear in the replays of the program.

"The ABC should apologise to the Prime Minister and its viewers."

Mr Scott has apologised to Mr Abbott and said he regretted any offence caused.

Q&A's use of tweets is currently being examined as part of an audit of the program being led by television broadcasters Ray Martin and Shaun Brown.

The program dominated news earlier this year when it allowed former terrorism suspect Zaky Mallah into the audience to ask a question of the panel.

It prompted Mr Abbott