Foyle writes in New Matilda how this late-1970s attempt at intimidation was witnessed by a bunch of other journalists working for The Bulletin at the time, and Greg “I knew Abbott very well and he was never, ever violent” Sheridan was the one who stepped in and persuaded the pugnacious radical student activist Tony Abbott that a punch-up was not the way to settle differences of opinion about women’s right to control pregnancy.
Yeah, the idea that Abbott could have punched the wall beside a woman’s head to intimidate her as his political rival just seems soooo unlikely, amirite?
Categories: culture wars, ethics & philosophy, history, parties and factions, social justice
Beyond Marching: I Will Not Be Passive #Resist 
Media Circus: the “to no one will we sell, to no one deny or delay justice” edition 
Roseanne Barr wants the US presidential debate back on topic #righteousrant 
Feminism – we’re doin it rong #1568454876 
Hoyden About Town 
It’s not just that Abbot and Romney have terrible policies- it that they just seem like bullies. I don’t understand how they’re viable political candidates (she says for the 8th time).
I think it’s very unfair that Tony Abbott, who has never ever and especially not in the last month brought up events from many years ago to attack political rivals is being subject to this smear! campaign suggesting he did anything other than have tea and iced vovos with his opponents during his time in student politics. It’s certainly cruel for anyone to imply he has had a problem with women in the past. Tony has only ever had problems with women in the present!
The ABC has a list of who said what and when about Barbara Ramjan’s claims.
I don’t get why so many people are acting like this is new news. I am sure I have heard this story before. Am I imagining things?
@angharad, Foyle has written about this before, but Abbott was only a Minister back then, so most people weren’t so interested.
No, it’s not new news to most of us. Some people may not have gotten the message, so we’ll keep delivering it, even if it is more frustrating than spending centuries on the bottom of the sea.
@tigtog, I was actually thinking of the Barbara Ramjan incident. I am sure I have heard this mentioned before, and was all kind of ‘oh yeah that’ when David Marr started talking about it. Maybe it was in Susan Mitchell’s book about Tony Abbott. I read that not so long ago.
I can’t get over Abbott claiming the wall punches would be ‘uncharacteristic’ of him. They match my impression of him just about exactly (particularly ‘during student politics’). How did I manage to form this impression of him? Must be all those other lying wimmins or something. Nah, Tony, your body language when you’re interviewed or on the floor of the House conveys ‘aggressive bully overhyped on his own masculinity’ nicely. You’re the exact kind of bloke years of experience have taught me to stay well away from.
Apparently an activist called Peter Woof also fell foul of the Monk’s fist back in the 70s. According to a commenter on the Foyle article he took it to court but didn’t have enough money to pursue it.
Mr Anger Management Issues isn’t fit for any public office, let alone that of Prime Minister.
Slightly OT, who did that briliant NOPE poster?
Louise, the NOPE poster is by cinephobia on flickr