Not content with absolutely insisting Australian politics bears the Tony Abbott brand from here until, presumably, the end of time, the former Prime Minister will be having a poke around American politics too when he drops by tomorrow.
Fairfax reports Abbott is appearing in the U.S to deliver a speech to one of the nation’s most prominent religious right-wing bodies, the Alliance Defending Freedom. For those blissfully unaware of said group’s existence, they’re preeetty much in line with the typical American right mindset we’ve come to know and love: anti-abortion, anti-gay, and against the ever-encroaching boogeymen aiming to steal their religious liberties.
Those factors seem pretty squarely in Abbott’s wheelhouse, and he’ll be dropping his knowledge with a speech on “the importance of family.” That’s an awfully nebulous title, considering the somewhat discriminatory leanings of the ADF.
As the lead-up to the U.S Presidential elections grinds along, Republican candidates will be looking to secure the support of the right-wing community, and throwing our ex-PM into that heady mix of religion and opportunism is an interesting development indeed. It comes after his chatty dalliances in Europe, too.
Moreso, it may bolster his street cred amongst Australia’s own right-wingers, who remain mortified at Malcolm Turnbull’s existence – and apparent success. Terminator or no, it’s pretty bloody apparent he hasn’t taken the hint, and moves like this are pretty opaque attempts to dig himself in with the hard Australian right.
Source: Fairfax.
Photo: Stefan Postles / Getty.
