Tony Abbott rebuts Tony Windsor remarks

Tony Abbott, Christoper Pyne

Opposition Leader Tony Abbott, right, visiting Rex Airlines in Adelaide yesterday with federal Liberal MP Christopher Pyne. Picture: Brooke Whatnall
Source: The Advertiser




TONY Abbott yesterday denied telling independent MP Tony Windsor he would do anything to become prime minister and joking he would give serious consideration to “sell(ing) my arse”.


The Opposition Leader said he had wanted to secure government after the election last August and had engaged in negotiations with the four independents, but did not joke that he would consider prostitution if it could secure The Lodge.

“People who know me know that I don’t speak like that,” Mr Abbott said in Adelaide on his anti-carbon tax roadshow.

“Sure, after the election I wanted to secure government because I wanted to save our country from what was already a bad government and I think that what we’ve seen since then vindicated my judgment.

“I engaged in a negotiation . . . but I think that some of the people that I was negotiating with had already made up their minds.”

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Mr Windsor told Fairfax yesterday Mr Abbott had begged the independents for support after the August 10 election in his quest to secure a minority government.

“I remember him saying, ‘Tony, I would do anything for this job. The only thing I wouldn’t do is sell my arse — but I’d have to give serious thought to it’,” Mr Windsor said.

While Mr Abbott yesterday denied making the comment, he has been caught out swearing on camera twice at official functions.

In the 2007 campaign, he said to Health Minister Nicola Roxon “that’s just bullshit” when she accused him of being disrespectful after he arrived 30 minutes late to the National Press Club.

In February, he was caught on camera telling US defence commander James Creighton “shit happens” while discussing how an Australian soldier had died.

Mr Abbott said he had always been civil to and respectful of Mr Windsor and the three other independents Rob Oakeshott, Andrew Wilkie and Bob Katter, but that the same could not be said of them.

“I’m not sure it’s been reciprocated, but I’ve always treated them with respect and courtesy and that’s how I intend it to continue.”

Mr Wilkie said his conversations with Mr Abbott had always been civil. “I’ve got nothing to complain about. He was searching for some way to get me on board and made some very big offers but he didn’t say anything that wasn’t courteous or respectful.”

Mr Abbott said Mr Windsor and Mr Oakeshott were not listening to their electorates’ wishes.

“If they were listening to their electorates on the carbon tax, on the mining tax, on the general conduct of government, they would be taking a different position in the parliament. I am happy to keep talking to them, I’ve been talking to them ever since the election but I think it’s important for them to talk to their electorates as well.”

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