Fighting for a party position, or just being in the political game requires some strength and determination which,although not elected to the position, has until now given me some respect for Julia Gillard. But no longer.

Sad to say I believe that her defence of the unspeakable speaker has shown her to lack judgement and character. If invective is now the favourite tool to use in the parliament she should have directed it more appropriately; not towards Tony Abbott. She must surely have lost many women supporters.

Interesting article Don. However, my impression is that the "stream of criticism that has no parallel in the past" is possibly a little subjective, as, when a Labour voter, I observed a similar "stream of criticism" directed towards Paul Keating and then a similar tirade against John Howard. (Possibly worst against Howard).

I also have some trouble with your assertion that this criticism is "simply because she is a woman". I see no real evidence of this. Rather, I observe an unprecedented method of obtaining the Prime Ministership, a series of policy bungles, backflips and deceptions etc. I believe she is copping a hiding purely for her policy bungles. Anyone, irrespective of gender, would cop it for the manner in which the Labout Party has performed.

I agree with your analysis of the reason Abbot has enlisted the assistance of his wife, although I would also not be surprised if his wife took it apon herself to 'have her say' whether he liked it or not.

well worth the read.

I didn't hear her defend the former speaker! It simply didn't happen and Hansard will support my assertion!
When the PM stood on her feet, it was to join with others to refuse to allow Parliament to become a star chamber or a Kangaroo court!
I believe Peter Slipper will likely stand again, and direct his preferences away from Mal Bruff?
Who as is public knowledge, was apparently advising Ashby, before the Ashby claim of sexual harassment was made?
If the former Speaker is eventually vindicated? Some may see the Bruff involvement, as just a very low blow, for nothing more than an unearned and or massaged political advantage or position.
Surely, it should be a contest of ideas, and not simply playing the man, instead of the metaphorical ball?
The public reaction to the PM standing up to combative, bully boy Abbott, suggests very strongly, that she should produce more of the same, at every future opportunity?
It would also be very good political strategy, I believe, for the PM to continue to focus attention on the Non-Labour states, and current outcomes there.
Like the incredible level of current gold plating of the electrical energy grid, or the way various entities have been seemingly rewarding themselves and or apparent cronies?
After that, The PM needs to continue, to compare and contrast Australia and our economy, with those controlled by conservative Administrations.
I've hardly ever voted for Labour!
But hell can fully freeze over, before dummy spitting, incredibly spoilt juveniles like the Road Runner; and or, the Gazelle get my vote.
[And would you believe, they seem to have written to Craigh Thomson, requesting his vote on a superannuation matter? High farce or hypocrisy, you decide?]
If however, the coalition reappointed former Leader Malcolm Turnbull, who has never denigrated women or any other even more marginalised group?
[Common courtesy and civility costs nothing!]
I and many other would likely reconsider our positions; and or, judge only on the merit of the issues; and or, the proposed policy solutions!
Rhrosty.

'If however, the coalition reappointed former Leader Malcolm Turnbull, who has never denigrated women or any other even more marginalised group? ... I and many other would likely reconsider our positions'

given that you've said earlier 'I've hardly ever voted for Labour!'

What position are you considering changing?

Is it that you'd in future always vote labor?

Yep you've exposed your true feelings ...

Scratch any Turnbull supporter & you'll find a Labor supporter under there.

What is it with Labor supporters that they have such dreadful taste in leaders. Whitlam, Latham, Rudd, Gillard & they want to inflict Turnbull on us, & he's not even one of theirs.

It must come with the territory, but Liberal supporters seem to be able to smell out a shonk, & get rid of them quickly when necessary, if they have been deceived for a little.

So Don I have to say no thanks to that suggestion, but if your figures are correct, I'll have to accept your other premise. The one that says women were pretty foolish back in Menzies day, & they show absolutely no improvement since, in their judgement.

I just watched the 7.30 report when Leigh Sales couldn't mask her ugly vindictive Labor biased side. Luckily, Julie Bishop being a women unlike Sales being a mere female, made Sales look like the real sell-out dill she is.
I think the Labor hierarchy is so insanely frustrated to try & portray Abbott in a bad light that it's driving them crazy.
To say Abbott is a women hater is like saying the Labor Party of today has decency as a policy.
Both statements are 180 degrees wrong.

Did Julia "jump the shark"? It is obvious that Labor is over egging the Hyperbowl and they think voters won't notice; they have. For starters winters power bills are in and the cash splash was spent long ago, sadly a lot on grog and pokies (but it did help Pubs and Clubs a bit).
Evil mining Barons are proved right and the rivers of gold has largely ended after a few years with the only legacy being vast Labor debt.
Finally they keep drowning.
Are there any adults in the ALP, please we need you.

How impressive is Julie Bishop. A mature, intelligent, capable woman. She has been getting quite a bit of airtime recently, and comes across very well. What a contrast to Julia Gillard, Nicola Roxon, Tanya Plibersek, Jenny Macklin etc, and I will include Leigh Sales in that list.

Should Tony Abbott not be available to lead the Coalition, I think that Julie Bishop would be an outstanding alternative.

Tony as we know is not up to interviews. He would put his foot in his mouth on national tV again.
Liegh got a belated thank you from Bishop, which i thought was not coming.
It was obvious she was not wanting to answer the questions imposed.
Julie Bishop is not leader material, she would be more inclined to bolt for the door rather than stand ground. When have you ever seen JB in an aggressive mood, it's more like a sarcastic mood, no match for Julia.

Rhrosty-- you are right. I should have worded my comment much better e.g. Julia's apparent lack of concern when the ex-speaker's disgusting lack of regard for women was revealed was of less importance to her than a chance to attack Abbott.

"Menzies drew more support from women than he did from men" and yes it comes down to the fact that some men have it and some don't.

Nature selection proves once again that Tony Abbott's comments justifies that women should choose more carefully.

Poor little Rabbit:) No X factor for him:)and that remark about her father....well ladies, you be the judge.

PLANET3

Don
You make a good point at the end of the article about Abbott's need to step up and articulate what his party stands for rather than just negating government policy. This sort of approach, while seen by some Coalition members as strategic, is merging into something shrill and histrionic. It is also insulting to LNP supporters and electorate when a party seems to hold public so much in contempt it won't answer any questions about policy. Joe Hockey would have to be the worst evader of questions and while reportedley a nice guy, is annoying to watch on any media interview.

Malcolm Turnbull would probably win back some women voters but let's face it, the LNP's policies would probably not change much with a leadership change. Turnbull despite rumours of Rudd-like personality has a strong following within his own party especially the more liberal Liberals.

TA's past history on women's issues like abortion and decision to stand next to a sign which read 'Bob's Bitch' and other tasteful (NOT) memorabilia was not a good look. Same with the deceit around Carbon Tax, some of his twisting of facts now well known.

Reference some comments, ABC is doing a good job of tyring to keep the pollies honest and accountable. It is laughable the accusations of LNP or ALP bias, both equally strident at the moment depending on who copped a grilling the night before. The same detractors one week become the champions of ABC the following.

IMO public should stop the team sport style of politics and get on with making both sides accountable in raising the current standard. Politicians are representing us, the electorate and no matter which party one votes, they all work for us.

I was away for much of the time after this post came out, and I was unable to respond to comments. What I had in mind re the 'unprecedented' abuse of the PM was in the reference to her figure, face and clothes. No one has ever criticised a male PM in this way, and the closest anyone got was in noting that Kim Beazley needed either to buy bigger suits or lose some weight, and he was only the L of the O.

Wasn't a major source of discussion of Julia's (female) nether region the Female Eunuch? Obviously as right wing as Jonesy and with a penchant for misogyny.

Notably, again, none of the Left called anyone out on this, just laughed, humiliating our Prime Minister on their ABC.