Today in our continuing coverage of the despicable political shame cauldron that is #AusLol: Tony Abbott has blamed exuberance as well as his own “daggy dad” sensibilities for remarks made yesterday that a female candidate for the Sydney seat of Lindsay, Fiona Scott, had “sex appeal”.
The comments were made after a reporter asked what the Liberal hopeful had in common with former Lindsay MP, Jackie Kelly.
“They’re young, they’re feisty, I think I can probably say have a bit
of sex appeal, and they are just very very connected to the local
area,” Mr. Abbott replied.
Criticism of Abbott’s remarks swiftly followed with Labor minister Kim Carr calling his words “pathetic”, and Finance Minister Penny Wong expressing little surprise at his comments.
“When he goes off script you get a bit a glimpse into what he really thinks,” Wong said today on ABC radio. “I wasn’t altogether surprised and nor were many Australian women, I suspect. This is consistent with some of the views Mr Abbott has expressed over many, many years.”
But perhaps the most telling response to Abbott’ gaffe was that of his deeply mortified daughter Frances who starred in her own, soon to be viral in-frame reaction video.
Abbott addressed the matter last night, saying he was merely the victim of penis exuberance.
“Look as the kids said to me I had a dad moment, a daggy dad moment maybe.” he said. “She’s a mate of mine. I was exuberant. She’s a smart, savvy, hardworking candidate.”
We’ll believe you for now. CC: John Oliver.
