THE Prime Minister is yet to respond today to a report that one of her staffers rang an Aboriginal tent embassy protester yesterday to say Tony Abbott wanted the camp torn down.
An announcement by protester and Greens's candidate Barbara Shaw that Mr Abbott wanted the tent embassy removed sparked a near riot, forcing Ms Gillard and the Opposition leader to flee a Canberra restaurant.
Sydney radio presenter Ray Hadley today said he'd received information that Ms Shaw or another protester had received a call from a Gillard staffer about comments Mr Abbott made earlier in the day about the tent embassy.
"Once she was told that, she was also told Mr Abbott was across the road, 'maybe you can give them a bit of a liven up'," the 2GB presenter told his audience today.
"Barbara Shaw then went on stage and for all intents and purposes, incited people."
The Australian Online has contacted Ms Gillard's office over the allegation but is yet to receive an official response.
Mr Abbott earlier declared he'd been "verballed" by protesters, saying he had not said the tent embassy should be removed.
If this turns out to be true, someone in the PM’s office will be looking for a new job.
AS the hammering on the glass grew louder and the security detail grew increasingly anxious, Julia Gillard’s thoughts turned to Tony Abbott.
Trapped for the past half-hour inside Canberra’s popular The Lobby restaurant by up to 100 bellowing protesters from the nearby Aboriginal tent embassy, the Prime Minister formed a huddle with her minders.
“We feel that the situation is deteriorating and (we) can’t stay too much longer,” one told her.
“OK. All right,” the Prime Minister replied calmly. “What about Mr Abbott? Where have you got him?”
Minder: “Ah, over there.”
Gillard: “We’d better help him through too, hadn’t we?”
Minder: “Yeah, sure.”
Update:
A junior adviser to Julia Gillard has resigned after revealing Tony Abbott's presence at an Australia Day function yesterday in a move that sparked a violent protest by Aboriginal activists.
Media adviser Tony Hodges was forced to stand aside after the "error of judgment", the Prime Minister's office confirmed tonight.
It said Mr Hodges informed a "stakeholder" of Mr Abbott's attendance at an Australia Day function with Ms Gillard, and the information was subsequently passed on to members of the Aboriginal tent embassy.
She did what was right and honourable.
Posted by: TerjeP | January 27, 2012 at 01:42 PM
Perhaps,,, but a leopard doesn't change it's spots,, and in this situation, why has she suddenly become such a caring and considerate person???
I smell a rat.
I'm sure Mr Abbott is a big boy , and can take care of himself.
Posted by: barry | January 27, 2012 at 02:10 PM
Agreed on Gillard. Not often I give her credit but I will on this occasion.
If this turns out to be true, it has been a bad week for ALP staffers. First Albo's speech blunder and this.
Posted by: Richo | January 27, 2012 at 02:46 PM
Come on Barry. Sure you don't have to agree with her and her policies aren't the best but she is still human. Tony Abbott if he was Prime Minister would have afforded her the same respect. It was good of her. Credit where it is due, for goodness sake. When it comes down to it they are in the same Parliament. Any of us would have done the same thing. She's not a saint, she's just decent.
Posted by: Dani Keys | January 27, 2012 at 04:19 PM
Isn’t it interesting when I bestow a nice comment about Julia Gillard not one leftard comments about it…Go figure.
That’s the problem with the left, they can never acknowledge when someone they dislike happens to be right or in my case, acknowledging that Julia Gillard did the right thing.
Posted by: Andy Semple | January 27, 2012 at 07:18 PM
Hmmm....but now a Gillard staffer has had the sack over this (SBS news) and my cynical side wonders if it wasn't all about diverting attention from the other front page story, the findings on a certain ALP mp & former union hack.
Gotta wonder.
Posted by: Grantley | January 27, 2012 at 08:06 PM
I wish Abbott was left behind to face the mob. He would have smacked out the first two or three without raising a sweat, the rest would have turned and ran with their tails between their legs, and the public would love him even more!
Posted by: John Mc | January 27, 2012 at 10:40 PM
Dani, I hope for everybody's sake , that I am wrong.
Posted by: barry | January 28, 2012 at 01:27 AM
Why would Hodges phone some contact with contrived comments of Abbotts encouraging them to act upon them & inform this person of the whereabouts of NOT only Tony Abbott but himself and the PM, without her knowledge with the expected furore that would result with them only a few hundred metres away?
Why did the cameras cover all the security in detail & Gillards sudden uncharacteristic concern for Tony Abbott being recorded?
Was it a case of Lights Cameras Action?
Why on earth was the ESCAPE so over the top, with her clutching the body guard and seemingly being dragged out looking pathetic?
Was this the great manipulator at work?
Posted by: APA | January 28, 2012 at 07:02 AM
Was this an orchestrated event to attack Abbott & take the heat of themselves with the Thomson saga about to hit the fan, the Wilkie broken promise, the Albersleazy expose, the Rudd leadership challenge, the Bowen ongoing NO offshore processing excuses & the dismal downhill polling?
Posted by: APA | January 28, 2012 at 07:06 AM
Remarkable perception,,,,and if you are right , she has sucked a lot , I mean a "real" lot of people in.
Interesting questions, and to add one more......why is nobody being charged??????
Posted by: barry | January 28, 2012 at 07:46 AM
because it all probably went a bit too well and had a stronger re-action than anticipated.
I think the smug look on Gillards face last night when asked about Thomson explains a fair bit.
Posted by: Grantley | January 28, 2012 at 07:53 AM
the "where is Mr Abbott" comment in front of the camera defintely reeked of a lights camera action moment. However, unless it is proven that the staffer who actually incited the violence was doing so on direct orders from the PM's office, Gillard must be given the benefit of the doubt and applauded for her actions on the day. The MSM however has a lot to answer for-there is no way they did not deliberately verbal Abbott out of context. What he said was fair and reasonable and fully backed up by Aboriginal leaders such as Mundine and Pearce to name 2. The media in general and the canberra press gallery in particular are less trustworthy than our political leaders-especially when it comes to reporting conservative politics
Posted by: kraka | January 28, 2012 at 09:45 AM
I guess the only ones who really know are the ones responsible. Brucie Hawker is doing his best to minmise the damage with his spin...which in itself only serves to highten the suspicion that there is a bit more to this yet to come.
Unfortuneatley it is difficult to give this PM the benefit of any doubt as one is never sure which one you hearing from and if what you hear is actually the truth. All of her own making.
Posted by: Grantley | January 28, 2012 at 10:28 AM
Give the PM the benefit of the doubt??
She's been giving us the benefit of nothing, just screwing us into the ground , and you want to give here the benefit of the doubt??
No wonder Australia is heading down the path it is. The people have memories lie a sieve, and she's playing it up for every point she can get.
Bloody hell, what a bunch of drongos.
Well, you do what you think is right , but she's taking you all for a ride .
Get it into your head, or your children will be slaves.
Idiot.Political correctness, the death of freedom.
Posted by: barry | January 28, 2012 at 12:33 PM
Totally agree kraka. The MSM coverage of the whole event has been shambolic. Several outlets reported Abbott wanted the tent embassy torn down. They need to go back to school.
In relation to the PM staffer, at the very least it has to come out who the mystery "stakeholder" was that he contacted advising of Abbott's location and subsequently relayed that to the tent embassy. It should also be investigated whether anyone elese in the PM's office was involved.
Posted by: Richo | January 28, 2012 at 12:54 PM
What a diversion, you gotta give credit where credit is due. This was a complete heist of Aussie soul, man. Beaut con job and then a junior resigns; wonder what job they were offered? Gingerella 1 Australia 0. The damage to Australia keeps a rolling on.
Posted by: Graham | January 28, 2012 at 01:59 PM
JuLIAR is the most deceptive arrogant self serving manipulator who has no credibility.
The attacks and relentless hate campaign against Abbott are beyond a joke & are disgraceful.
The people have seen through this shameful attempt by LIEbor to destroy him and have actually endeared him to the people.
Abbott is in reality an honourable decent bloke who will serve the people well & will make a great PM.
The admiration & respect for Abbott everywhere has grown enormously, thanks in part to the LIEbor Green Credit Carrying Union Traitors Party.
An investigation is needed urgently to weed the Great Pretenders OUT for good!
Posted by: APA | January 28, 2012 at 02:37 PM
I'm sorry Andy that you feel unappreciated when for once you say something +ve about the PM (although others on this site couldn't help themselves in being critical or conspiratorial). Sure, she cared for Tony as any human being should care for another. I know, this is a bit too much to ask to most of you on the Right but I remain hopeful. It's also a pity that Tony couldn't master sufficient courage to tell his mate that remarks like "put her in a sack, drop it at sea and ask to swim home" are inappropriate in a civilised society. But then again, rough and tough Tony (someone here suggested he could have taken a couple of protests himself, wow, what a MAN!!!!) has not been gifted with that rare quality called empathy. I suspect that Tony is the type that likes putting the boot in and kick people when they are down, how else could he dream of Abbott Navy?
Have a lovely and peaceful day.
Posted by: dante | January 28, 2012 at 04:05 PM
dante,,,, at least Abbott is not trying to take us down the communist path,,,, is that what you want?
If it is , then as I said ,, go find a country that suits you , and see how lovely and peaceful it is .
Suggestion, have a look at the history and current state of Cuba,, might give you an idea of what we don't want .
I repeat , if that's what you want ,you're in the wrong country.
Oh , I see the Russians are calling for Putin to resign !!!
Hint Hint !!!
Posted by: barry | January 28, 2012 at 04:51 PM
dante: let me see if I have this right; Gillards staffer rings union mate to report on Abbotts whereabouts, union mate, hopeful of ALP nomination no doubt,revs up tent city occupants with mis-information about what was or wasn't said, who barricade venue.
Things quickly go from bad to worse and security staff have to put themselves at risk to evacuate Gillard & Abbott....and you want to praise Gillard and take a swing at Abbott...???
Sheez, this is almost as good as Hawkers spin (sure your not related?). I've heard it all now.
Posted by: Grantley | January 28, 2012 at 06:02 PM
Dante, remember that name. You have the temerity (look it up) to make those comments about Abbott yet suggest this is a site where people bash Julia. Ths was a contrived press event that went wrong. Julia's senior media advisor screwed up. Note; media advisor none-the-less. She may even have knowledge of what was going to happen. If that was the case, she was likely worried Abbott might have another route out. She alone would be seen being dragged out of a mess created by her staff. "Not on mate, grab Abbott". Then we have possible scenario of Barb' Shaw, a communist from way back, in contact with a (communist from way back)'s staffer. Then Julia clearly ennunciates 'Mr Abbott'. This is like the 9/11 passengers' mobile calls. Rigged BS. Australia you gotta wake up. Scratch a green and they're red. The left wants total control. They are past masters at this. Brown shirts - no way, but you gotta wake up. Asia sees us as rich and soft. The Greens see us as morons. Neither the Greens nor the ALP support democracy. Australia Wake Up.
Posted by: Graham | January 28, 2012 at 07:35 PM
And so, the real irony of all this deliberately created saga, is that Warren Mundine agrees with Abbott. Time to move on.... much has changed since the Tent Embassy was first erected. Aboriginals of today have many opportunities to uplift their lives, more so than the millions of disadvantaged non aboriginal people. This country spends billions of dollars on programs to improve Aboriginal disadvantage - and this is the thanks the taxpayers of the nation get in return. Mob rule and desecration of our national flag. A flag that many before us died for, including Aboriginal service men. I wonder if the young filth that spat on that flag know that their very own died fighting for everything this nation stands for. Filthy vile little brats!
Posted by: bluebell | January 29, 2012 at 12:43 AM
Stehanie Peatling airbrushes Ray Hadley's role in revealing this scandal and attributes it to Twitter in smh.com.au
People might like to advise her via twitter of the truth.
Posted by: Philip Dowling | January 29, 2012 at 09:23 AM
Canberra has been compared to a putt-putt mini golf course. Everything happens within a square mile of parliament. Maybe the entire scenario can be summed up as several types of "over-reaction" and "all-round opportunism". Yes, a bunch of dissatisfied activists and demonstrators could have seen the anglo leaders of both parties (competing for the same 10% of swinging voters) through the glass regardless of who told them where those leaders were. Yes, that glass seems highly symbolic. And those politicians were protected (some would say over-protected) by masses of incompetent security who clearly needed to rehearse getaway strategies. The dissatisfaction is with tokenistic words and an intervention and a lot of other patronising policy that doesn't address the core wrong. Cop it. It's that simple. This is not a situation that is exclusive to one issue. Immigrants can protest. Anti whalers can protest. Shareholders can protest. (Remember the 'Convoy of "No Confidence / Consequence"'?) Whether these people were campaigning for sovereignty or reparation or an end to black deaths in custody or an end to the intervention or for control of all the mining in the land is fairly irrelevant. They will not be given what they want. The toytown politicians have limited power and even less will. They are uninspired and incompetent. Middle Australia doesn't give a shit about anything except more straw boaters, money for holidays, cleaners, a new reno, luxury cars, retirement, private health and designer goods. This is a drama in toytown that is not core business to those people.
Posted by: J Salmon | January 29, 2012 at 09:32 PM
So, basically, 80% of voters are not being well represented at present. The system is being challenged because some 20% of that disenfranchised group is getting antsy. Compared to Occupy Wall Street or what is going on in Tahir Square, this is trivial. It's almost "me too" of Australia to carry on as if this "incident" is significant in world terms ... unless you ACTUALLY care about democracy. Since most of the writers on this website clearly don't give a stuff about representation for industrial fodder, the workers, they can't claim that the events are undemocratic. So shut it.
Posted by: J Salmon | January 29, 2012 at 09:36 PM
They have the right to protest in a peaceful and respectable manner.....I do not class burning and spitting on the national flag as being peaceful or respectable. I do not see screaming foul abuses and gesturing at our political leaders as peaceful or respectable. They simply shot themselves in the foot and made national jackasses of themselves. They should have been treated like any other protestor, but they weren't. Police clearly have a 'hands off' policy when it comes to indigenous misbehavior. The Industrial fodder that you refer to happen to be reliant on businesses to survive....something that you ill bred union hacks are about to discover as the world economy tanks and big business off shores their operations to escape your Dear Leaders cancerous Carbon Tax. Maybe you can survive eating your union cards.
Posted by: bluebell | January 29, 2012 at 10:18 PM
Mr , I don't know who you are .
I agree with what you say about middle Australia.
And I'm starting to wonder if anyone gives a rats arse about democracy.
But I only came here because I do care.
And when I see the undemocratic crap going on in this country, I feel for the future.
So, what do you suggest? Shut it?
That only makes me think you are from some leftist mob who will pull any dirty trick under the sun to get what they want .
Shut everything down , and become a slave .
Is that what you are suggesting?
I certainly hope not.
I was in business for many years, treated everyone fairly , and was held with great respect by all those I employed.
To see what is going on in this country now makes me sick to the stomach.
So , I am only here to throw my few cents worth in , in the hope it may make a little difference.
But once again I agree , middle Australia is rotten to the core.And unless that changes, I doubt anything we say or do here will make much difference.
Posted by: barry | January 29, 2012 at 10:29 PM
I've been AFK attending a friend's wedding and yes it's nice to see you compliment the Prime Minister.
I do wish that Abbott had been as decent, rather than his childish eyebrow lift and smirk displayed at 2:38 in this video.
http://youtu.be/pndFC1c1SwQ
Posted by: SignedIn | January 29, 2012 at 10:32 PM
Scoop by Debra Jopson.
Why hasn't she claimed credit.
But a week later, the smiles and tears could turn to shouts and chants as another indigenous ritual is revived. According to veteran campaigner Michael Anderson, incipient fury over all that land lost and never regained is expected to boil over in a protest march through Canberra streets on Australia Day to the Aboriginal tent embassy.
While the Government talks with ''hand-picked'' indigenous representatives, the old guard of the 1970s Black Power movement will be in town to mark the embassy's 40th anniversary, and this year ''the Aboriginal political movement will be ramped up and become more aggressive,'' Anderson says.
There is still anger over the exclusion from the constitution, the Northern Territory intervention and the failure to recognise indigenous sovereignty in a treaty. This week, old stagers like Anderson, Gary Foley and Les Malezer intend to use the tent embassy's birthday to show how to harness it.
http://www.smh.com.au/national/the-40year-protest-that-changed-little-20120120-1qa85.html?skin=text-only
Posted by: Philip Dowling | January 29, 2012 at 10:39 PM
"I do wish that Abbott had been as decent, rather than his childish eyebrow lift and smirk displayed at 2:38 in this video."
Johnson you are clutching at straws. Abbott's reaction represented his thoughts (e.g "Golly this is serious and doesn't happen everyday").
That face was made to Senator Kate Lundy, a Labor member whom he was talking to prior to Gillard coming up to him. He looked to be a nervous expression, which was justifiable under the circumstances.
I am not exactly sure what point you were trying top make but it doens't work.
Posted by: Richo | January 30, 2012 at 10:26 AM
Barry, you show all the traits of somebody that doesn't know what he is talking about. Let me explain why (and I hope you have sufficient IQ to understand it).
No1: The ALP does not support communism
No2: China is a Communist country
No3: without China the capitalist society based on the USA model would have collapsed already
No4: China holds 36% of USA bonds
No5: Life Expectancy, a good measure of wellbeing, in Cuba is similar to that of the USA and Europe
No6: Crime Rate (a good measure of personal safety) is considerably greater in the USA than Cuba.
No7: There is a good trade of USA citizens that can't afford the cost of health care in the USA and go to cuba to be cured.
And I could go on to prove how ill-informed you are but I think the above suffice to indicate how stupid you are. I don't know how you went from my comments to your stupid remarks and suggestions. One think for sure, you won't be accepted in Cuba, you won't meet their minimum IQ requirements.
Posted by: dante | January 30, 2012 at 01:15 PM
You must stay awake all night worrying about all the conspiracies you had time to dream during the day. Have you heard the latest? Julia was responsible for 9/11 and she is a talaban and a muslin. And ....
It isn't Australia that has to wake up, you just need to rest a bit and have a good lay down. Relax man, you are going to implode and I'm afraid all the brown mass you are going to emit WILL cause a major environmental problem, it will block the sun for decades and we shall all die out like the dinasours. Relax ... anyhow, you have only few months to worry about, the World is going to finish this year, has your Alien Master told you?
The Greens don't see you as morons ... everybody knows that extreme right wingers are all morons, it's essential qualification they tell me ... I continue to be rejected!!!
Posted by: dante | January 30, 2012 at 01:27 PM
Thanks dante , why would I waste my time replying to your rubbish?
Posted by: barry | January 30, 2012 at 01:34 PM
Ah well dante ,, it seems Australia wants you .
I hope they enjoy the misery you will bestow upon them .
Don't need to be a rocket scientist to work that out .
I cam here because I hated what the government was doing to our country, nothing more , nothing less.
Now I see how rotten you lot "really " are , and how Australians cannot be bothered getting off their lazy asses to throw you out of the country. I'll gladly let them have you .
Eventually they will tire of you , as most countries around the world have .
Oh , I here the Chinese communist party is collapsing.. You might want to look into that .
Posted by: barry | January 30, 2012 at 01:47 PM
Barry, you show all the traits of somebody that doesn't know what he is talking about. Let me explain why (and I hope you have sufficient IQ to understand it).
No1: The ALP does not support communism
IT'S A WELL KNOWN FACT THAT MANY OF THE WEST'S LEFT WING PEOPLE HAVE HAD TRAINING IN RUSSIA DURING THEIR COMMUNIST ERA - ESPECIALLY THE BRITS.
No2: China is a Communist country
YES
No3: without China the capitalist society
based on the USA model would have collapsed already
CHINA CHANGED TACK WHEN THEY REALIZED THEY WERE GOING NOWHERE ECONOMICALLY AND OPENED THEIR DOORS TO CAPITALISM - AMERICAN BUSINESS MOGHOULS GREEDILY SAW THE OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE BILLIONS AND THEIR GOVERNMENT ALLOWED IT TO HAPPEN - SAME GOES FOR THIS COUNTRY.
No4: China holds 36% of USA bonds
NEVER LET IT BE SAID THAT THE CHINESE ARE DUMB. THIS HAS BEEN DONE AS A DELIBERATE STRATEGIC MEASURE TO FURTHER THE RISE OF THEIR COUNTRY.
No5: Life Expectancy, a good measure of wellbeing, in Cuba is similar to that of the USA and Europe
FIDEL IS NO FOOL - KEEP THE PEOPLE HAPPY ENOUGH TO REMAIN DICTATOR FOR LIFE.....HOWEVER,THE COUNTRY SUFFERS IN OTHER WAYS.
No6: Crime Rate (a good measure of personal safety) is considerably greater in the USA than Cuba.
NOTHING LIKE A POLICE STATE, HUH? WOULD YOU LIKE TO ADDRESS THE ILL-TREAMENT RATE IN CUBA'S OVERFLOWING JAILS?
No7: There is a good trade of USA citizens that can't afford the cost of health care in the USA and go to cuba to be cured.
I WATCHED MICHAEL MOORE'S SICKO TOO - WHICH HAS ALREADY BEEN DISCREDITED.
And I could go on to prove how ill-informed you are but I think the above suffice to indicate how stupid you are. I don't know how you went from my comments to your stupid remarks and suggestions. One think for sure, you won't be accepted in Cuba, you won't meet their minimum IQ requirements.
OBVIOUSLY YOU HAVEN'T TALKED TO MANY CUBANS LIVING IN FLORIDA. THEY MUCH PREFER THE AMERICAN MODEL TO THE CUBAN ONE.
Posted by: bluebell | January 30, 2012 at 02:15 PM
Oh , and to Menzies house , I apologise for my ignorance, and lack of intellectual capability.
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to voice my opinion.
Goodbye , and good luck.
Posted by: barry | January 30, 2012 at 02:16 PM
Barry - Jumping ship when the fight is just warming up isn't what I expect from a concerned citizen. It's only our opponents who are calling you those things. When it starts coming from one of us when you would have reason to be concerned. Personally I am immune to these sort of 'below the belt' comments - water off a ducks back mate.
Posted by: bluebell | January 30, 2012 at 02:21 PM