THE Opposition Leader, Tony Abbott, seemed to misread the mood of his audience yesterday when he began talking politics and criticising the government's mining tax at an Italian National Day celebration.

Despite the three state and federal politicians who spoke before him talking about the contribution Italians had made to society, Mr Abbott could not resist a dig at the federal government's proposed mining tax.

Making up lost ground … Tony Abbott at the Italian National Day celebrations yesterday. Credit:Steven Siewert

''The Italians of this country understand that it's very important to make a living through business and I just ask this question of this perceptive, culturally sophisticated audience,'' he said. ''How many of you would be in business for 6 per cent? Not very many.''

At this point, many in the 500-strong audience became agitated, murmuring among themselves that their guest was using the event to play politics.