Ill-judged: Mr Abbott's remark was poorly received among the Irish community.
Opposition leader Tony Abbott has come under fire for telling an Irish joke during a recent speech.
Speaking to the Liberal Party faithful on June 25, Mr Abbott said that the Gillard Government “was a bit like the Irishman who lost 10 pounds betting on the Grand National and then lost 20 pounds on the action replay”.
The Embassy of Ireland in Canberra subsequently complained about the remark.
Following this, the Irish Echo understands that Mr Abbott’s office contacted the Embassy to express “regret”.
A spokesperson for Mr Abbott said the Opposition leader would not go into a discussion on the matter.
“The matter has been settled with the Embassy directly,” he told the Irish Echo.
But the remark is still up on Mr Abbott’s website.
Leading members of the Irish community in Australia have roundly criticised Mr Abbott’s words.
Prof Ronan McDonald, Chair in Modern Irish Studies at the University of New South Wales, said it was an an error of judgement.
“The ‘stupid Irish’ joke might get a laugh in a Bradford comedy club circa 1973, but seems astoundingly ill-judged coming from an aspiring world leader in 2011,” Prof McDonald said.
“Maybe Tony Abbott should employ some of the recent Irish arrivals to write some of his speeches in future. They could probably do with the work. And he could definitely do with the help,” he added.
Former Australian of the Year, Professor Patrick McGorry, was also critical of the joke. The Dublin-born mental health advocate said Mr Abbott’s remarks reflected poorly upon him.
“I grew up with Irish jokes. They always reflected poorly on the perpetrator. [It] weakens the core argument too,” he said.
In February, New York’s Mayor Michael Bloomberg apologised to the city’s Irish-American community after he told the American Irish Historical Society that when walking by its building he often sees “a bunch of people that are totally inebriated”.
July 12th, 2011 at 2:02 pm
This is not England so pull your head in. His comments were not malicious.
As a 5th generation irishman I am appalled by this cheap shot at Abbott by the Irish Echo.
How about you start reflecting some of the feelings out there in the Irish Australian population and have a go at this Welsh dipstick that is currently running our country.
I think you’ll find that Irish values are a lot more consistent with Abbott’s than Gillard’s any day of the week.
July 12th, 2011 at 4:12 pm
If I could just ask you to step off your political high horse for a moment, Gerry. Tell the same joke and put the word “black fella” into it and tell me what the reaction would be? Jokes like that, malicious or not (and I don’t think there was any malice) perpetuate racial stereotyping, as do phrases like
“Welsh dipstick” or “Aussie buffoon” or “Pommy bastard” for that matter. Surely we’ve moved on a bit. Some of us have.
July 12th, 2011 at 5:59 pm
Peter
The massive difference is that Abbott has Irish heritage, it was good humoured and some might say self-depreciating. Shame the author, this Luke O’Neill did not see it that way.
GL
July 12th, 2011 at 6:13 pm
Gerry,
There are no opinions expressed by myself in this factual news report of a sequence of events.
That the Embassy of Ireland in Canberra — the Republic of Ireland’s diplomatic representation in Australia — complained about a politician’s remark is of news significance to our readership.
This would remain so, regardless of the politician who was the source of a complaint.
Best regards,
Luke
July 12th, 2011 at 6:15 pm
Luke,
Point taken.
I don’t think the Republic of Ireland’s diplomatic representation are doing themselves any favours by being blatantly partisan and showing such thin skin.
Frankly it is un-irish and un-australian as far as I’m concerned.
Best regards,
Gerry Lamb
July 12th, 2011 at 8:30 pm
I don’t believe Abbott is of Irish Heritage, certainly at the Lansdowne Lunch on Paddy’s day I can’t recall him claiming it, indeed his opening remark went along the lines of (not his exact words) “I might not be Irish but I’m Catholic”
Look, the point is that as a prospective future Prime Minister he has shown poor judgement in his words, silly thing to say for a person in his position.
I doubt any Irish person will lose sleep over this and maybe some Aussies of Irish heritage will have a chuckle but I don’t see the Irish having a laugh, eyes raised to the heaven’s more like.
Take a chill pill yourself Gerry ….
July 13th, 2011 at 11:49 am
Gerry Lamb says “I think you’ll find that Irish values are a lot more consistent with Abbott’s than Gillard’s any day of the week.” What values are they Gerry? Love of the Monarchy? Love of the Union Jack? Or perhaps you mean blurring the lines between church and state? I would prefer a leader with universal human values. By the way, both Gillard and Abbott were born in the UK.
July 13th, 2011 at 11:58 am
The remark by Abbott, regardless of his political party, was inappropriate and insensitive. It reflects the very poor state of politics (by all parties!) in Australia.
As an Australian of Irish descent (2nd generation on one branch) and up to six generations on several other branches, it is very disappointing that public leaders make comments that cast aspersion against any race.
July 14th, 2011 at 9:00 pm
Even a fifth generation Irishman wouldn’t react like that Gerry. Everyone knows that the Irish tell the best Irish jokes – we have a sense of humour and can laugh at ourselves. I was born in Ireland so I should know.
However, If I am an aspiring Prime Minister of Australia, where in the region of 50-60% of voters claim Irish heritage to some degree, I wouldn’t be telling Irish jokes – but then that’s Tony Abbott! What a choice we have in this country between Gillard and Abbott ! ! ! Have a Guinness Gerry, and forget about politicians – they are a parasitical evil we have to endure !