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.”
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?
Top Comments
Kyle must be really enjoying this!
I was listening to the BBC correspondent, Nick Bryant discussing his view on Australian politics on JJJ last week and in the light of some of the vitriol posted here I thought it relevant.
His take was that, compared to the rest of the world we had so little to REALLY worry about, that we had become personality focused and had trivialised the role of government.
Who is responsible? The parties themselves with their poll driven reactions, MSM for hyperventilating over tawdry details ...
I don't know, but I read these comments and wonder what life is like in Syria, Cyprus, most of Africa ... well most other countries where their priorities are somewhat different from who attended an egg and spoon race
I have often wondered the same thing. As human beings, it doesn't really matter how good we're all doing, we will always find something to worry about. It's part of our success as a species, we're always striving for better. But at the same time, there are still issues we that could improve on, like the environment or the widening gap between the rich and the poor.
Sometimes I also wonder if people know we've got it good - too good to be true - and it makes us afraid we're going to lose it. Hence the fear of boat people.