This is how Tony Abbott’s supporters think last night 7.30 Report interview with Kerry O’Brien went.
KERRY O’BRIEN: But what you haven’t explained is how you can make one promise in one month and then completely change it the next. What happened in that month where you had this sudden explosion of vision?
TONY ABBOTT: That’s an excellent question Kerry, and who am I to answer that? I shall let the good people of Australia form their own judgement about my character and if they …
KERRY O’BRIEN: No, but I’d like you to explain it. Tony Abbott feels with conviction we will not have a new tax in any way, shape or form, we won’t have a new tax; a month later, you do.
TONY ABBOTT: Well, again Kerry, I know politicians are going to be judged on everything they say, but sometimes, in the heat of discussion, you say things that, with the benefit of hindsight, you probably should not have said or you admit was probably a bad idea. I admit I have done that, but I believe that in politics it takes a lot of intestinal fortitude to be able to admit your faults and then take the correct course of action to move forward. If being humbly able to admit one’s mistakes is a crime Kerry than I am guilty as charged.
KERRY O’BRIEN: So every time you make a statement, we have to ask you whether it’s carefully prepared and scripted or whether it’s just something on the fly? No, seriously; this is a very serious question.
TONY ABBOTT: No, not at all. It’s not like I would deliberately tell a mistruth. But all of us, Kerry, all of us when we’re in the heat of verbal combat, so to speak, will sometimes say things that go a little bit further. I admit I made such an error when discussing the fee on business to fund paternal leave. However in hindsight I admit to being too hasty in making that decision and I humbly accept I was wrong.
KERRY O’BRIEN: Mr Abbott, we’re not all leaders of major political parties who are either Prime Minister or aspiring to be.
TONY ABBOTT: True, true, true. And for those us who are it is very important to ensure that you hold yourself accountable for all of your words and actions. I am glad you have given me the opportunity tonight to do that.
This is how the rest of us saw Tony Abbott on the 7.30 Report.
KERRY O’BRIEN: But what you haven’t explained is how you can make one promise in one month and then completely change it the next. What happened in that month where you had this sudden explosion of vision?
TONY ABBOTT: Well, em, em, em, em, em again, er Kerry, people will make their own arrr, em judgments about me and if they … em ar blah…
KERRY O’BRIEN: No, but I’d like you to explain it. Tony Abbott feels with conviction we will not have a new tax in any way, shape or form, we won’t have a new tax; a month later, you do.
TONY ABBOTT: Well, em again em Kerry, I know politicians are gonna be judged on everything they say, but em sometimes, in the heat of discussion, you em go a little bit further than you would if it was an absolutely calm, considered, prepared, scripted remark, which – fuck me dead where am I going with this? – is em one of the reasons why the statements that need to be taken absolutely as gospel truth is those carefully prepared scripted remarks. Oh fuck an alter boy, did I just say that out loud?
KERRY O’BRIEN: So every time you make a statement, we have to ask you whether it’s carefully prepared and scripted or whether it’s just something on the fly? No, seriously; this is a very serious question.
TONY ABBOTT: LOL Kerry. But all of us, em Kerry you cunt, all of us when we’re in the heat of verbal combat, so to speak, will sometimes say things that are complete and utter fucking bullshit. There I fuckin’ said it bitch. Happy?
KERRY O’BRIEN: Mr Abbott, we’re not all leaders of major political parties who are either Prime Minister or aspiring to be.
TONY ABBOTT: True, true, true. FUCK SHIT FUCK!
