Tony Abbott denies saying same-sex marriage is 'fashion of the moment'

Updated

Opposition Leader Tony Abbott has moved to defuse criticism that he described same-sex marriage as the "fashion of the moment" by saying he was speaking more broadly about social change.

The brouhaha comes barely a day after Mr Abbott triggered controversy by saying a female candidate had "sex appeal" - a description he has since put down to a "dorky dad moment".

Yesterday, when asked about the issue of gay marriage on Sydney Radio 2SM, Mr Abbott reiterated his view that marriage is between a man and a woman and went on to discuss the importance of tradition in the debate.

"My idea is to build on the strength of our society and I support, by and large, evolutionary change," he said.

"I'm not someone who wants to see radical change based on the fashion of the moment."

Deputy Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has described the statement as "deeply offensive" and "out of touch".

I'm not someone who wants to see radical change based on the fashion of the moment. Opposition Leader Tony Abbott

"This is an extraordinary comment and an insight, once again, into Tony Abbott's character," he said.

"To define sexual orientation as fashion of the moment will be deeply offensive to many Australians."

He said the comments show Mr Abbott is not ready to be prime minister.

"What he needs to do is reflect modern Australian values in 2013 rather than values that may have had a place in the past, but really don't sit with modern Australia," he told ABC News 24.

But Mr Abbott said yesterday afternoon that he was "not suggesting" gay marriage was a passing fad.

"We'd really moved beyond the subject of same-sex marriage in that discussion," he said.

"We were talking about tradition more generally.

"The point I was making really was that conservatives tend to hasten slowly - regardless of the issue."

Marriage equality is not a "fashion" @TonyAbbottMHR. It's a long, hard fought campaign to end discrimination + celebrate equal love#Ausvotes - Christine Milne, August 14, 2013

He went on to explain why he did not believe marriage equality was inevitable, likening the push to the failed bid for Australia to become a republic.

"There were many a few years ago who kept telling us a republic is inevitable," he said.

"If this country lasts for a thousand years quite possibly at some point we might be a republic, but I don't think a republic is inevitable anytime soon and similarly I don't see same sex marriage as inevitable."

Labor frontbencher Bill Shorten says Mr Abbott's comments demonstrate a black and white view of the world.

"We've now got colour TV Mr Abbott, not just black and white TV," he said.

"Mr Abbott if some people want to live their lives in a different manner to the manner in which you live yours, frankly if it's not bothering you or me why should we feel hassled by it."

Abbott concedes 'sex appeal' remark was 'old-fashioned'

Mr Abbott has conceded his comments, made Tuesday, that a female Liberal candidate had "sex appeal" were "old-fashioned".

Yesterday afternoon he described Fiona Scott, who is running in the Western Sydney seat of Lindsay, as being "young, feisty" with "a bit of sex appeal".

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has taken aim at the statement.

"If any male employer stood up in a workplace anywhere in Australia and pointing to a female staff member, said, 'This person is a good staff member because they've got sex appeal', I think people would scratch their heads, at least," Mr Rudd said.

"And I think the employer would be finding themselves in serious strife.

"In modern Australia, neither sexism, nor racism, nor homophobia has any place whatsoever and I believe people look to our national leaders to set that sort of example."

But Mr Abbott has dismissed the Prime Minister's criticism.

"I'll leave Mr Rudd to hyperventilate. I think I've more than addressed that issue," he said.

He must have had the beer goggles on because she's not that good a sort. Former Labor leader Mark Latham

This morning, Mr Abbott refined his comments about Ms Scott - saying she had "the X-factor" and put his earlier description down to him being "exuberant".

"I was a bit exuberant and maybe a bit old-fashioned in some respects," he said.

Still facing questions this afternoon about the issue, Mr Abbott said Ms Scott is "smart, she's hardworking, she knows the electorate inside out and gee whiz, she's putting up a good show out there in Lindsay and the Labor Party are understandably very worried".

Abbott 'must have had beer goggles on': Latham

Former Labor leader Mark Latham has bought into the row, saying Mr Abbott was "gilding the lily".

"It showed very bad judgment. It shows that he's got low standards. I don't think she's got sex appeal at all," he told 3AW.

"Abbott has exaggerated massively here to try and win her votes among the blokes in Lindsay.

"He must have had the beer goggles on because she's not that good a sort.

"And I'd rather have an aspirant for the prime ministership who is a good judge at checking out the good sorts as many Australian men do.

"He's gilding the lily here ... in politics they say that it's show biz for ugly people and I don't think she'll be out of place."

Topics: liberals, government-and-politics, political-parties, federal-elections, elections, abbott-tony, person, australia

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