news

What's white, fluffy and causing drama for the PM today?

Julia Gillard tweeted this photo of herself and Kyle Sandilands at an event on the weekend.

 

 

 

 

 

What’s white, fluffy and causing controversy for the Prime Minister this week?

Kyle Sandilands in a bunny suit, of course.

Julia Gillard tweeted this photo of herself with Kyle Sandilands on the weekend. The Prime Minister had invited Sandilands, among many others, to Kirribilli House over the weekend for a fundraiser for Bear Cottage,  an organisation which provides support for children with profound disabilities and who are terminally ill.

Why all the fuss? Because the Prime Minister’s name is now inextricably linked with calling our sexism and misogyny and Sandilands has been openly slammed for sexist comments on his radio show in the past.

Caroline Overington wrote for the Women’s Weekly this morning:

Kyle arrives at Kirribilli House.

It’s the same Kyle Sandilands who last year found himself in a world of pain after telling a female reporter to “watch your mouth, girl, or I’ll hunt you down”.Who said of the same young woman: “What a fat bitter thing you are. You’re a piece of shit.”

Who added: “You little troll … you should be fired from your job.”

And yes, that’s the same Gillard said of Tony Abbott : “I will not be lectured about sexism and misogyny by this man.”

Who said: “What I will never stand for is the Leader of the Opposition coming into this place and peddling a double standard.” Who also said: “This kind of hypocrisy must not be tolerated!” Who said: “Sexism should always be unacceptable.”

Sandilands and Gillard participate in an egg and spoon race.

It’s a little, well, awkward for the Prime Minister.

Particularly as she has said of Tony Abbott in the past, “This kind of hypocrisy must not be tolerated!” In her now infamous misogyny speech, no less.

There’s no question that Kyle’s radio show is extremely popular and politicians would all be pretty keen to get their message out there using that show – the same as any brand advertising their product. But should the Prime Minister have hosted the ‘sexist’ radio host at her home? Does the fact that the event was held to benefit a really great cause, protect her from criticism?

Do you think the Prime Minister was hypocritical for inviting Kyle to an event at Kiribilli?