Has GetUp decided that the budgie smugglers are a net loser for Tony Abbott? How else to explain their fascination with Abbott and the beach. First they were running billboard against his position on global warming by showing him on the beach in a pair of Speedos.
I didn’t think this was particularly smart politics. When the incumbent, who you support, is being portrayed as a man who can’t make a decision to save his life, and if he makes a decision is completely ineffectual you don’t want to show his rival off as a community-minded action man.
I’m not sure about their latest gambit either.
Last night they bid up to win an auction at the Parliamentary Press Gallery Winter Ball
for a surf lesson and breakfast for 6 with Tony Abbott. The prize will be given to a group of refugees who have come to Australia.
They bid $16,000 for the prize, but amazingly actually raised $62,821 towards it. The balance will be transferred to another campaign, not a bad super profit for GetUp.
Now the fun actually starts for GetUp. They are going to put one of the refugees into the surf with Abbott for a surfing lesson. I can tell you from experience that this is a very bonding experience. And I’ve had a couple of conversations with Tony Abbott, and I know he can be a very engaging fellow. It’s going to be very difficult to be too forceful with him once they get out of the surf.
And what sort of footage do they want from the breakfast? If the refugees get too angry, and Abbott keeps his cool, it will confirm the prejudices of the Australians who are concerned about this issue.
And if they are polite and well-mannered? Well that helps take the edge off the “Abbott is a Tory Mark Latham” argument being run by the government. Super profits for GetUp, but possibly divvidends for Abbott. And as they’ll be on surfboard he’ll get to keep his smugglers snug and out of site.
An amusing aside is that the time with Tony was worth four grand more than time with Kev and Wayne, which very nicely fits in with the polling done recently.
Comment by Iain Hall — June 16, 2010 @ 11:34 pm
I feel that these people experiences will stop them from falling under the so-called engaging spell of Mr. Abbott. Mr. Abbott will have to get past his one-liners in the time spent with them.
Comment by Florence Howarth — June 17, 2010 @ 12:48 am
With regards to Tony Abbotts Bugie Smugglers. I think it’s totally unacceptable for anyone to comment, (especially disparaging comments) on his chosen attire for the beach. This is paramount to bullying. No one has the right to bully anyone.
On to the surfing lesson. If this person is a bonafide refugee then fine, it’s a surfing lesson. If he is a boat person and Tony has an accident out on the waves & the boat person doesn’t make it back to shore then Tony got my vote.
Comment by John Barr — June 17, 2010 @ 3:37 am
Not sure about the bullying John. I frequently wear budgie smugglers – most sensible thing to do if you expect to be swimming. My sisters give me hell, but what the hell. I think Tony and I are big enough to take it. I did think of starting a Budgie Smuggler Fan page on Facebook. Thought we could have Bob Hawke as a patron as well as Tony. More than one pretender to the Australian Prime Ministership has stripped down on a regular basis.
Comment by Graham Young — June 21, 2010 @ 12:15 am