on 18-05-2014 11:27 AM
PRIME Minister Tony Abbott has branded the students at his former university “revolting”.
Speaking at a Liberal Party fundraiser in Melbourne on Friday night, a tongue-in-cheek Mr Abbott said: “I always thought the students were revolting at my old university.”
His quip comes after Foreign Affairs Minister Julie Bishop was mobbed at the University of Sydney before she announced an extra 1000 placements for overseas study trips under new government funding.
Mr Abbott, joined by Environment Minister Greg Hunt and Small Business Minister Bruce Billson, told the audience at Mornington Race Club that there would be more protests.
“This is but a foretaste of what is to come,” he said.
“But we must stay the course because if we are deterred, the future of our country is grim.”
Mr Abbott defended his pre-election promises saying he was determined to make hard calls.
“I don’t know if this government is going to be popular, but by God it’s going to be respected,” he said.
University of Sydney Vice-Chancellor Dr Michael Spence said the comment was made in jest.
“We believe that the Prime Minister was making a joke and appreciate that he is demonstrating the same good humour that the Foreign Minister showed on Friday,” he said.
He said students had a right to protest but not to use violence.
Yesterday Education Minister Christopher Pyne called for the students to be charged with assault.
He also called on Opposition Leader Bill Shorten to join the Government in condemning the “incomprehensible” behaviour of the students, who were protesting proposed cuts to higher education funding.
“Everyone is entitled to have a view — whether they like the Government, whether they don’t like the Government; whether they like or dislike particular policies,” Mr Pyne said.
“But the behaviour of the students yesterday at Sydney University was assault.”
“Everyone is entitled to have a view — whether they like the Government, whether they don’t like the Government; whether they like or dislike particular policies,” Mr Pyne said.
“But the behaviour of the students yesterday at Sydney University was assault.”
totally agree with these comments by Mr Pyne. I'm certainly not happy that my taxes foster this sort of behaviour by certain groups of students.
on 18-05-2014 12:48 PM
They deliberately lied and deserve to be given a heaps especially by Australia's youth who now know that this Government cares so much about them that they plan to see some without the means to live..as they had mentioned in 2010.Though that was not part of the promises they voted on...who would vote for that ?
Did Christopher Pyne drop the C Bomb because Bill Shorten was applauded recently ? So much for an respectable and Adult Education Minister
No cuts to education, no cuts to health, no change to pensions, no change to the GST and no cuts to the ABC or SBS.
Tony Abbott, SBS NEWS – September 6, 2013
Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/comment/tony-abbotts-name-is-mud-20140515-zrd9w.html#ixzz321zJv0hs
on 18-05-2014 12:50 PM
on 18-05-2014 01:01 PM
Poodles Pyne fits in well with this govt of liars, looters and cheaters...
18-05-2014 01:02 PM - edited 18-05-2014 01:04 PM
18-05-2014 01:22 PM - edited 18-05-2014 01:25 PM
on 18-05-2014 01:29 PM
@boris1gary wrote:University degrees will cost up to three times as much under a deregulated fee system, leaving graduates with $120,000-plus debts, according to the architect of the HECS student loan scheme.
Thank you, Mr Whitlam, for free university when my children needed it.
18-05-2014 01:34 PM - edited 18-05-2014 01:35 PM
on 18-05-2014 01:43 PM
@silverfaun wrote:We are subjected to this type of behaviour every day in the media. Hate and bile from Labor and their adherents and it infects everything, spills out all over and they love it, Shorten doing what he does best whipping up hate, whipping up the old class and gender wars Gillard was so fond of.
I wonder how they can function having this type of mindset and groupthink. We see it on here as well, the same old posters who have nothing constructive to add to any debate just howls of anguish that their cushy entitlements may disappear, screams of disappointment that all the empty promises Gillard made have no money to back them up so they cry and rant and blame shift.
We see it on here as well, the same old posters who have nothing constructive to add to any debate just howls of anguish that their cushy entitlements may disappear, screams of disappointment that all the empty promises Gillard made have no money to back them up so they cry and rant and blame shift.
There are some pretty horrible accusations in the above, would it be possible for these accusations to be backed up with some facts?
on 18-05-2014 01:52 PM
The post you are referring to b1, doesn't even address the topic in the opening post either.
on 18-05-2014 01:57 PM
Your forgot Chrissy Pyne calling Tony Burke a ****BLEEP****
Burk???