An Australian political leader came under attack yesterday for speaking what many would consider a self-evident truth — that not everything any politician says can be believed.
Tony Abbott, leader of the conservative opposition Liberal Party, stunned many political observers in his explanation during a television interview on Monday night of a back flip on his month-old promise to raise no new taxes if his party is voted into power.
He now promises to levy a new company tax to fund paid maternity leave if he becomes prime minister at elections late this year.
DISTINCTION
Abbott, a 52-year-old former seminarian, drew a distinction between what he sometimes says “in the heat of discussion” and “an absolutely calm, considered, prepared, scripted remark.”
“Which is one of the reasons why the statements that need to be taken absolutely as gospel truth is [sic] those carefully prepared, scripted remarks,” Abbott told Australian Broadcasting Corp (ABC).
“All of us, when we’re in the heat of verbal combat, so to speak, will sometimes say things that go a little bit further,” he said.
The remarks were described in the media yesterday as a gaffe that could haunt Abbott’s election campaign in the months ahead.
The Courier Mail newspaper described the explanation as “an almost fatal admission: Only believe what I say when I say you can.”
The Sydney Morning Herald newspaper saw his comments as “an extraordinary admission” during what The Age newspaper said was a “damaging interview.”
The government seized on the remarks as evidence that Abbott, who has made big gains in opinion polls, was not a credible leader.
“It’s kind of like the fine print on the bottom of the packet saying, ‘use this product, but by the way, it might kill you,’” Finance Minister Lindsay Tanner told ABC radio.
‘PHONEY TONY’
Deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard labeled Abbott “Phoney Tony,” while her Labor party also rushed out a political attack ad aimed at undermining the opposition chief.
“Next time Mr Abbott says anything, ask yourself, ‘Is he telling the truth?’ Because by his own admission, he’s probably lying,” the TV advert said.
Abbott’s colleagues, however, defended his comments as a mark of his honesty.
“The thing about Tony Abbott is he’s a straight shooter,” senior Liberal lawmaker Joe Hockey said.
Communications adviser Allan Pease described Abbott’s comments as risky.
“If I was his adviser, I’d now tell him to continue down that line of talking about politicians not telling the truth — because that’s what we all think anyway — and use it to his advantage,” Pease told Sky News television, though he added that such a strategy could also backfire and become “political suicide.”
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