Michael McCormack’s misfiring mouth may be Malcolm Turnbull’s next big malady
Ladies and gentleman, the new Deputy Prime Minister of Australia. Michael McCormack writing in The Daily Advertiser, May 1, 1993:
A week never goes by any more that homosexuals and their sordid behaviour don’t become further entrenched in society … Unfortunately gays are here and, if the disease their unnatural acts helped spread doesn’t wipe out humanity, they’re here to stay.
He apologised when it was raised during the same-sex marriage debate. McCormack’s statement on his old editorial, August 17 last year:
I have grown and learned not only to tolerate but to accept all people, regardless of their sexual orientation, or any other trait or feature which makes each of us different and unique.
McCormack’s other big moment in the spotlight was the botched 2016 census. The then minister for the census in Canberra, August 11, 2016:
I’m not using the word attack, nor was it hacked … by saying attacked, it looks as though and it seems as though … information was then gained.
The chief statistician was the one who said the 2016 census had been attacked. David Kalisch speaking to ABC NewsRadio, August 10, 2016:
It was an attack, and we believe from overseas.
And who can forget this interview? Ashleigh Gillon tries desperately to get a straight answer from McCormack on Sky News, February 19:
I am going to repeat my question to you … Sorry minister, I am going to ask you again … I’m asking you personally … So I’m asking again … Minister, sorry, I do just need to bring you back to this because it’s actually not, it isn’t a difficult question …
And this is the guy we want if Malcolm Turnbull disappears at the beach? The Prime Minister’s statement, yesterday:
Michael McCormack is a strong advocate for rural Australia … I look forward to working closely with him …
Things could have been worse? George Christensen’s statement after failing to beat McCormack, yesterday:
I now look forward to working with our new leader …
George won’t be leaving the Coalition after all? Christensen on Facebook, last Friday:
I believe the formal Coalition is too restrictive. I would rather see a Liberal Prime Minister, Liberal Deputy Prime Minister …
Surprise, surprise. Christensen’s statement the last time he decided to stick with the government, December 3, last year:
… people like me need to remain in the Nationals and government …
And finally, vale Ainsley Gotto. The first woman to be a prime minister’s chief of staff speaks to The Australian Women’s Weekly, February 21, 1968:
I enjoy a challenge and I’ve always had interesting, unusual jobs.
Everyone remembers this description of the Liberal Party trailblazer. Recently sacked minister for air Dudley Erwin speaking to Laurie Oakes about why he got the boot. November 12, 1969:
It wiggles, it’s shapely, it’s cold-blooded and its name is Ainsley Gotto.
Even near the end, Gotto was far smarter than most of the blokes. John Gorton’s right-hand woman speaks to The Sunday Telegraph, October 25, 2015:
The wiggle label is irritating because I can’t do it and never have …