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Virginity remarks misunderstood: Abbott

The Opposition Leader says his magazine interview remarks about the importance of virginity were meant for his daughters and not the wider public.

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Source: SBS


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Opposition leader Tony Abbott has stood by his remarks about sex and marriage, saying his comments were meant for his daughters.

Mr Abbott on Tuesday said young women "shouldn't give themselves away lightly" in an article to be published by The Australian Women's Weekly.

He referred to virginity as “the greatest gift” you could give to someone.

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But the former trainee Priest says he was giving advice to his daughters, and not the young women of Australia.

Comments will offend females: Gillard

Deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard believes Mr Abbott's comments will leave many females fuming.

"These comments will confirm the worst fears of Australian women about Tony Abbott," Ms Gillard told reporters.

"Australian women don't want to be told what to do by Tony Abbott.

"Australian women want to make their own choices and they don't want to be lectured to by Mr Abbott."

Clarifies earlier remarks

The Opposition has hit back at criticism, telling 2GB Radio that his comments made about virginity were misunderstood and meant only as advice for his daughters.

"I'm not trying to be a preacher," the former seminary student told Fairfax Radio Network.

"I'm no one's parish priest. Just because you're leader of the opposition doesn't mean you're kind of counsellor of a nation."

Mr Abbott said "these are all very personal things" but if someone asked for his advice he'd say: "Don't do anything that you would live to regret ... and try to act in ways which a self-respecting person would act."

The opposition leader said he tried to answer difficult questions honestly even though "the people who ask the questions then tut-tut about the answers".

Young professional women 'not fans'

Tony Abbott says "younger professional women" don't like him because they don't appreciate being told what to do.

In an Australian Women's Weekly interview, to be published on Wednesday, he admits many women don't like him.

The actual percentage is probably more than 10 but less than 70 per cent, he says.

"I think we are talking about younger professional women, essentially, who, for perfectly good reasons, don't want to be told by anyone else how they should live their lives."


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