Opposition Leader Tony Abbott responds to questions about claims a staffer threatened to 'cut the throat' of an eminent Australian. Ten News

TONY Abbott has demoted his director of policy after the senior staffer made a throat-slitting motion and threatened to "cut the throat" of funding to an Australian indigenous body at the gala Qantas party last night.

The Federal Opposition Leader has described the behaviour of Dr Mark Roberts as "completely unacceptable".

Dr Roberts drank alcohol at the Qantas party, according to political commentator Peter van Onselen, and then made a verbal threat to Andrew Penfold, CEO of the Australian Indigenous Education Foundation (AIEF), which provides indigenous children with high school scholarships.

Mr Abbott has issued a statement saying his Chief of Staff had made an investigation "into an incident at a function in Sydney last night involving a senior member of my office, Dr Mark Roberts.



"Dr Roberts' behaviour was completely unacceptable," Mr Abbott said.



"As a result of the investigation, Dr Roberts has been demoted from his role as Director of Policy."

Mr van Onselen said the incident occurred when he was standing with his wife at the party, speaking with Mr Penfold and his wife, and Dr Roberts "stumbled over" to them.

"I don't think I'm being in any way unfair if I say he'd had a bit to drink," Mr van Onselen said.

A conversation ensued between Dr Roberts and Mr Penfold, ending with Dr Roberts making a throat-slitting gesture and threatening to "cut the throat" of funding to Mr Penfold's foundation, when "we" are in power.

Van Onselen tweeted about the incident last night.

He said there was "certainly no animosity" on the part of Mr Penfold, who could not understand the attack on him.

Mr van Onselen said on Twitter that Dr Roberts had subsequently warned him to keep his mouth shut, in exchange for leaked information from inside the Federal Opposition Leader’s office.

"Abbott’s staffer knew I heard the conversation, bailed me up & offered to be a source inside TA's office if I stayed quiet ... thanks, but no," van Onselen tweeted.

Mr van Onselen tweeted he was "totally disgusted" by the Dr Roberts' behaviour.

"I have heard some threats in my time, but nothing like that from an Abbott staffer tonight. Watch this space," van Onselen tweeted following the party.

Mr Abbott dismissed the incident at a press conference this morning, denying the "cut his throat" phrase had been used and saying the remark was "out of character" for Dr Roberts.



"That particular phrase is denied," Mr Abbott said.



"The matter has now been investigated. It was an out of character incident.



"The staff member in question has been counselled and he has apologised. I think the matter is now ended."

Mr van Onselen responded to Abbott's comments with this tweet: "Wow the staffer in Tony Abbott's office is denying the form of words that he used. A number of people heard it so that's interesting."



On Sky News' Lunchtime Agenda, Mr van Onselen described the whole incident as "pretty messy" and said he was unsure whether Dr Roberts was threatening the amount of current government support to the AIEF or extra funding for which the foundation had applied.

A spokeswoman for Tony Abbott’s office said Dr Roberts would not be making a comment, but that he had apologised "personally" and "unreservedly" to Mr Penfold.

The party last night was held in the new Qantas A380 hangar at Sydney airport and attended by model Miranda Kerr and Hollywood star John Travolta.

Here are the Tweets in sequence:

I have heard some threats in my time, but nothing like that from an Abbott staffer tonight. Watch this space, I'll raise it on Sunday... — Peter van Onselen (@vanOnselenP) April 18, 2013

A Tony Abbott staffer told an eminent Australian that he would "cut his throat" once "we" are in government.... Much, much more to it... — Peter van Onselen (@vanOnselenP) April 18, 2013

...I am totally disgusted. He is a very senior member of the staff. — Peter van Onselen (@vanOnselenP) April 18, 2013

It was tonight and I heard the exchange first hand. — Peter van Onselen (@vanOnselenP) April 18, 2013

Abbott's staffer knew I heard the conversation, bailed me up & offered to be a source inside TA's office if I stayed quiet...thanks, but no. — Peter van Onselen (@vanOnselenP) April 18, 2013