Tony Abbott confuses Tasmania with China

Prime Minister Tony Abbott has laughed off an embarrassing gaffe while toasting the Chinese President.

PM Abbott toasts President Xi (Getty, Stefan Postles)

"It's hard to confuse Tasmania and China - but I have". PM Abbott toasts President Xi (Getty, Stefan Postles)

It seems poor old Tasmania has been forgotten again – by the Australian Prime Minister, no less, who appeared to confuse it with China while toasting the Chinese President.

Tony Abbott was toasting President Xi Jinping after the two nations reached agreement on a free-trade deal on Monday when he made the mix-up.

"To mark President Xi's visit, Australia and Tasmania and, and – we've said a lot about Tasmania – Australia and China have reached agreements.”

"It's hard to confuse Tasmania and China - but I have," Mr Abbott said, laughing off the gaffe.

Tasmanians have long complained about being ignored by the mainland. The issue even prompting Clive Palmer to issue press release last year about putting Tassie “back on the map”.

Tony Abbott has managed to do that – albeit, momentarily in the wrong place.

President Xi is due to visit Hobart today.


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