SHE famously led her party to a tie in the 2010 federal election, which may explain why Prime Minister Julia Gillard has something against ties of the fabric variety.
Yesterday the PM launched an extraordinary attack on Coalition politicians who wear blue ties. Speaking at the launch of Labor's Women for Gillard campaign in Sydney, the PM identified "men in blue ties" as a major 2013 election issue.
Gillard also claimed that abortion would become the "political plaything of men" under a Coalition government and that women would be "banished" from mainstream political life if Tony Abbott became prime minister.
"I invite you to imagine it," Gillard told the 100 or so female supporters who gathered for the launch.
"A prime minister, a man with a blue tie, who goes on holiday to be replaced by a man in a blue tie, a treasurer who delivers a budget wearing a blue tie."
This is actually extremely easy to imagine because Treasurer Wayne Swan, the man who delivered this year's Budget, wore a blue tie.
A quick scan of media archives reveals that blue ties are a favourite of male politicians from both major parties. Several of Gillard's Labor colleagues clearly fancy an occasional blue tie.
Besides treasurer Swan, Workplace Relations Minister Bill Shorten is a frequent blue tie wearer. Trade Minister Craig Emerson is another who enjoys blue ties.
Deputy Opposition Leader Julie Bishop described the Prime Minister's tactics as patronising and insulting and unworthy of a prime minister.
"She should be governing for all Australians and not trying to wage a gender war and divide the community as a distraction from her self-inflicted political woes," Ms Bishop said yesterday.
Liberal MP Kelly O'Dwyer said the PM's broader comments were "disgusting".
"Divisive gutter politics," she tweeted.
Some government MPs were concerned Gillard's comments on abortion could backfire. Backbencher Stephen Jones told the ABC he was "not convinced of the wisdom of kicking this into a political debate."
Online observers noted that in addition to the gender war being conducted by Gillard, her latest remarks open a new battlefront on fashion. Blue tie wearers are now officially objects of government ridicule.
The PM has effectively started a blue where no dispute previously existed.
Considering all of the other conflicts Gillard is currently managing, this is probably the last thing she needs.
When parliament resumes next Monday, all eyes will be on the frontbench to see if any Labor identities defy Gillard's anti-blue tie directive.
Given her government's current elevated tensions, even the colour of decorative fabric might be taken as a sign of disloyalty.
It's knot easy being the PM - especially when men in blue ties are circling.
- See more at: http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/julia-gillards-women-and-her-loyal-lads-in-blue-ties/story-fni0cx4q-1226662133244#sthash.0vcjis1W.dpuf
