Tony Abbott attacks Gillard over Thomson scandal

Opposition leader Tony Abbott has attacked the Government and Prime Minister Julia Gillard over the Craig Thomson scandal, saying the Government is conducting a “revolting spectacle”.

AAP has reported Abbott as saying Thomson’s statement yesterday was “utterly implausible”.

“It is an increasingly revolting spectacle of a government which frankly shouldn’t be there,” he said
“I think the Australian people think it’s high time they got a new say on who should be governing our country,” Abbott told reporters, also rebuffing attacks made by Thomson against Abbott himself.

“I think that those sorts of statements will be treated basically with derision by the general public because this is someone who has failed to explain his own conduct,” Abbott said.

Independent MP Rob Oakeshott may also be rethinking his support for the Government, Abbott said.
Oakeshott told ABC TV that Thomson’s explanation of a set-up is “possible, but in my personal view it’s unlikely”.

“Rob Oakeshott in particular is starting to ask himself the question, ‘What does it say about my integrity that I’m now bracketed with Craig Thomson as the person who is keeping this government going’,” Abbott told Macquarie Radio.