Matilda, like you, I found myself wondering, after watching "Question Time" last Tuesday, if Peter Hartcher was watching the same parliament. At no time did I find Julia defending Peter Slipper. In answering the first (and only) question of the day, she told how she found it to be abhorent and was totally offended by what Peter Slipper had texted to James Ashby. Then (as usual) Abbott suspended standing orders to have a "no confidence" vote against Slipper.
After Abbott had his hypocritical tirade, then Julia said her piece. Have you ever had an experience when you have thought "enough is enough"? I have, and I think so had Julia there and then. She wasn't reading from any prepared speech, I really think it came from the heart. There have been many times during my life where I have encountered sexism, and I think that Julia stood up and spoke for most women in the country.
As the day went on, I was gobsmacked to hear what the press gallery had said about her speech. I personally feel that she did the right thing by letting Peter Slipper resign. Say what you think, but I think the whole Slipper text messages affair was a storm in a tea cup.
Firstly. They were PRIVATE text messages sent to someone a few years back who he thought was a friend.
Second. Why did the court release those text messages before the judge had come to a decision about the matter (remembering that they were private).
Third. I read the texts and I've called Sophie Mirabella a lot worse than a BOTCH. The other stuff that was mentioned in the texts weren't as bad as I was expecting. I remember a few years back a Rugby League player's text messages were advertised by the person he was harrassing and they were quite disgusting. I wonder what Warnie's written in his. What I'm actually getting at is, among all the male MP's in parliament, would they like to hand over their mobiles so they can be scrutinized? In other words "He who is without sin, cast the first stone".
I've never liked Peter Slipper, but I dont think he deserves all shit.
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