http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/national/mincer-jibe-bit-of-humour-gillard/story-e6frf7l6-1111118946193

"Ms Gillard took aim at father-of-four Mr Pyne, the Opposition's education spokesman and MP for an Adelaide seat, in parliament yesterday.

He was just beginning extra duties as manager of Opposition business, a senior post involving parliamentary tactics.

Rising to interrupt Ms Gillard with a point of order during Question Time, the Education Minister laid into him.

"I must admit that I did want to see the member for Warringah (Tony Abbott) making a comeback,'' she said.

"In a choice between macho and mincing, I would have gone for macho myself.''

The Hansard of the exchange recorded the word as "mixing'', but witnesses to the outburst had no doubt the word was mincing.

Ms Gillard continued: "And obviously the Leader of the Opposition (Malcolm Turnbull), faced with the choice of a doberman or poodle, has gone for the poodle.

"Presumably he prefers Abba to Cold Chisel, because that is the kind of thing we see on display.''"

And when it comes to attacks on women anybody know any good Bronywn Bisbop or Amanda Vanstone jokes?

R0bert

has gone for the poodle.
RObert,
Well at least poodles are looked after unlike some mangy scrapyard mongrels.

I agree Robert, those comments of Julia were nasty.
I wonder what most men think of Christopher Pines though?

I think we can be secure in the knowledge that there is much more sledging in Parliament against women by men, that vice versa, given that there are far more men in parliament than there are women.

Maybe that is the problem... : )

Suzie I suspect that it would be a view that would be shared by a lot of others.

I posted because some seemed to be trying to imply that it was a Liberal thing or a targetting of women rather than a tendancy by most to use whatever they can find to try and hurt opponents.

I doubt Julia's comments about Pyne were any worse than a lot of what passes for parlimentary debate just as the meow was not out of character. It's proved useful when taken out of context for more political point scoring but that's about as far as it goes.

Neither the Libs or Labor or the supporters of either side are blameless in this.

R0bert

I totally agree Robert.
All members of Parliament will use whatever it takes to get their point across, and to score political points against the other side.

I have to admit that the next election is looming as a real dilemma for me... which one is worse than the other : )

I agree with both Suze and R0bert's expression of the school yard tactics used in politics. I freely admit I do tend to find the Libs more strident than Labor (though no side is without blame) however, I think this is more a result of the attack dog style leadership of Abbott.

If the present adversarial system remains, even a 50/50 representation of men and women won't make that much difference. We need a more pluralist, collaborative style of politics, rather than dog-fights.

I haven't voted for either side for many years now - I look at the Independents and the Greens in my local region. Taking care with my preferences.

On topic, Senator Wong was well within her rights to take Bushby to task, I would also defend any Lib minister from similar behaviour by a Labor minister. It's all pathetic and simply adds to the disconnect between politics and public confidence in our leaders.