Liberals deflect Jones strife

1 Oct 2012, 6:54 pm   -   Source: AAP

Federal Labor has drawn the Coalition's ire by saying Alan Jones' offensive comments reflect an environment created by the Opposition.

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The federal opposition is crying foul over Labor's attempt to tie Opposition Leader Tony Abbott to the outcry following Alan Jones's offensive remarks about the prime minister, with one Liberal senator saying it's time for both sides to "shut up".

More major sponsors of Jones' 2GB radio show jumped ship on Tuesday as the fallout continued to grow over comments the veteran shock-jock made during a speech at a Young Liberals event in Sydney.

But Liberal senator Mitch Fifield drew the line at Labor trying to link the opposition leader to the controversy, accusing senior government figures of trying to score political points.

"What is also wrong and offensive are the attempts by (Labor) to seek to blame Tony Abbott," he told Sky News.

"Mr Jones is not Tony Abbott. Tony Abbott is not Mr Jones.

"If they actually cared about a grieving daughter they would not be talking about this," he said, referring to Jones' comment that Prime Minister Julia Gillard's father had "died of shame" because of her "lies".

"We would all shut up and we would all move on."

Frontbencher Nicola Roxon was one of several Labor MPs who accused Mr Abbott of setting a bad example.

"For two years Tony Abbott has been making outrageous comments about the prime minister," she told the Nine Network on Monday.

"This is an environment that the modern Liberal Party is breeding."

Senator Fifield defended the party and his boss, who's also come under fire for not stating his disapproval of Jones' remarks strongly enough.

In a brief, two-paragraph statement to the media, Mr Abbott said the comments were "out of line".

That was the same as condemning, Senator Fifield said.

"He has been strong, he has been clear.

"The only reason it's become an issue about Tony Abbott is because we've had Labor frontbencher after Labor frontbencher salivating, falling over themselves, to get out here and take political advantage."

Fellow Liberal Sophie Mirabella tweeted: "Why should Tony have to apologise for Jones words? Rudd PM + Gillard DPM never said sorry to me re Neal demon child slur."

But Labor backbencher Nick Champion laughed off the opposition's rebuttals as pathetic "mock outrage".

Many Liberals still showed support for Jones, with Liberal Senate leader Eric Abetz and Queensland Premier Campbell Newman saying the broadcaster had apologised and they would not have a problem dealing with him in future..

Liberal frontbencher Sussan Ley, who was at the Liberal function where Mr Jones made the remarks about Ms Gillard, said she didn't hear the comments at the time but found them unacceptable.

Labor and union man Paul Howes sought to highlight the opposition's long-held affection for the veteran radio man by re-tweeting some praise from opposition treasury spokesman Joe Hockey.

"Listening to Alan Jones this morning and you can understand why he is the best Aussie broadcaster of all time. 25 years at number1 in Syd.!" Mr Hockey's tweet reads.

The tweet was originally posted in December 2010.

Liberal MP Alex Hawke, who was at the dinner, said the comments from Mr Jones were unacceptable.

"During the hour long presentation I did not hear the particular comments regarding the prime minister and her late father, John Gillard," Mr Hawke said in a statement on Monday.

"Having now heard them I condemn these comments unequivocally, I am glad to see Mr Jones has offered a public apology and has also offered the prime minister a private apology."

Both Mr Hawke and Ms Ley said in statements on Monday they did not hear the comments about the prime minister's father.

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