Swan blames shock-jocks for PM 'cow' slur

4 Aug 2012, 2:42 pm   -   Source: AAP
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Wayne Swan. (AAP)

Wayne Swan. (AAP)

Treasurer Wayne Swan has laid the blame for comments comparing Prime Minister Julia Gillard to an "old cow" at the feet of Sydney's shock-jocks and opposition leader Tony Abbott.

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Treasurer Wayne Swan has laid the blame for comments comparing Prime Minister Julia Gillard to an "old cow" at the feet of Sydney's shock-jocks and opposition leader Tony Abbott.

Cattle company chief executive David Farley reportedly made the comments during a speech in Adelaide on Thursday.

Mr Farley was referring to plans to build a new abattoir when he said: "It's designed for non-productive old cows - Julia Gillard's got to watch out."

Mr Farley has said the comments were meant to be taken tongue-in-cheek but they have been slammed on social media and by federal politicians since they were picked up by media nationally.

"There is no place in Australian society for this sort of personal abuse," Mr Swan told reporters at the Tasmanian Labor state conference in Hobart.

"Unfortunately it's crept in because people like Mr Abbott and the shock-jocks, particularly on Sydney radio, have descended to new lows in terms of the public conversation.

"It's become frequent, we see it particularly on Sydney radio and we've seen it in the behaviour of some people in the federal coalition and there is no place for it in our public life or indeed in society."

Mr Farley's comments recall Sydney radio host Alan Jones' infamous declaration that Ms Gillard should be thrown to sea in a "chaff bag".
 
Attorney-General Nicola Roxon said in Sydney on Saturday Australians who thought they had permission to make "sexist and silly" remarks about the leader of the country should think again.
 
She said voters and public figures were free to criticise government policy but political leaders should not be subject to personal attacks.
 
"There's no need to make these sort of sexist and silly remarks," Ms Roxon told reporters.

"I am concerned that people think that there is permission to make these sorts of comments about the prime minister ... in the footy parlance, play the ball, not the man."

Federal Minister for Women Julie Collins said the comments were unacceptable.

"They amount to destructive prejudices long past their use-by date in our modern, diverse society," she said in a statement on Friday.

Mr Farley's comments were reportedly met with laughter.

Ms Collins said those who laughed along with Mr Farley's jibe should take a "long, hard look at themselves."

"Australians expect more of their corporate leaders," she said.
 

Wayne Swan , Julia Gillard

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Gillard

Ross - from London, 8 months ago

Shame it is the truth and Labour can hardly call foul with the abuse they hurled at the Howard governent

But it's ok for Swan to personally attack billionaires

John - from Sydney, 10 months ago

Heaven forbid someone say something about a politician but it's perfectly ok for Swann to run a personal vendetta against a trip of billionaire miners!? And Canberra wonders why people think parliaments full of hypocrites.

Unbelievable

Emil - from Perth, 10 months ago

Mr. Farley, and others of his ilk, clearly belong to a bygone era in their social attitudes. It is unbelievable that comments like his are being made in 21st century Australia.

I'LL TAKE A COW OVER JULIA, ALL DAY EVERYDAY ...

Douglas - from Brisbane, 10 months ago

When I heard people were complaining about Julia being referred to as an old cow, I thought it was the RSPCA being concerned that cows are being compared to Julia, POOR COWS .....

The Truth Is really Ugly, Mate!

FtanklySpeaking - from Rowville Needs Railway, 10 months ago

Swannie, take a long hard look into the mirror at yourself and your disjointed team before seeing the speck of dust in your neighbour's eye! Juliar is long past her use-by date and the majority of people want her out, but she stubbornly hangs on! The GG has no guts to dissolve parliament and call for fresh elections.

Pat

Pat - from Hobart, 10 months ago

The comment was out of order. But so is Swan,s comment....."Unfortunately it's crept in because people like Mr Abbott ....... have descended to new lows in terms of the public conversation." Let's keep the talk about Mr. Farley OK!

The swan song continues

Gary - from Sydney, 10 months ago

It would be more accurate to blame the government for this. The continual "dumbing down" of the populace by the development of the socialistic nanny state is gradually eroding responsibility from the entire population and encouraging them to join in the incessant Labor blame game..

Wayne Springsteen

wendy smithton - from Penrith, 10 months ago

Well it least Mr. Swan is not Just blaming Tony Abbott which makes a bit of a change. Really think we need to copy Tony or the Radio Hosts? Think we can manage to say what we think all by ourselves!

Wayne Springsteen

wendy smithton - from Penrith, 10 months ago

Well it least Mr. Swan is not Just blaming Tony Abbott which makes a bit of a change. Really think we need to copy Tony or the Radio Hosts? Think we can manage to say what we think all by ourselves!

Get real Roxon and Swan.

Rex - from ACT, 10 months ago

The people of Australia expect a government to listen to what they want, not lie and berat and treat the voters with contempt. Gillard has brought the comments against her on all by herself by her behaviour. No one else is to blame for that.

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