In a desperate move to shift attention from Julia Gillard’s past history, and present
troubles, Labor are trotting out the old chestnut, “Tony Abbott has a problem with
(capable) women”. The designated spearthrower on this latest occasion was Nicola
Roxon. It has now become the subject of the latest online, expert interview on a
24 hour news channel, and will no doubt feature on many occasions in the near
future.

Well, maybe the leader of the opposition has the same problem with women in public
life, both political and journalistic, as I do in that I hardly ever understand a word they
are speaking. In the case of the majority of female journalists, their writing ability is
not doubted but for heavens’ sake, many of them, and a large number of their
political sisters, should have undertaken elocution lessons before opening their
mouths in public. A few simple lessons in diction and projection, together with a
slowdown in delivery, would work wonders for my tired old ears. It may even make
them worth listening to.