Sobbing for sheep: Emerson weeps on TV over exports

Former trade minister Craig Emerson cries like a lamb over live sheep exports on Sky News, Tuesday:

I speak for the animals. (Voice breaks) I speak for the animals (wipes tears from his eyes) …

We’ve had Aussie politicians cry over the biggest reforms. Julia Gillard introduces the National Disability Insurance Scheme in parliament, May 15, 2013:

The past six years, the idea of a national disability scheme has found a place in our nation’s hearts (starts to cry). In March, we gave it a place in our nation’s laws. Today, we inscribe it (voice wobbles) in our nation’s finances (deep breath).

Weep over the end of their careers. Kevin Rudd resigns as an MP, ­November 14, 2013:

This has been the product of much soul-searching for us as a family over the last few months (fighting tears) …

Howl over great tragedies and acts of violence. The Sun News-Pictorial, June 6, 1989:

Bob Hawke wept uncontrollably yesterday as he described in chilling detail the terror of the Beijing bloodbath (at Tiananmen Square). And his tears were shared by nearly 2000 people at a memorial service in Parliament House’s Great Hall for the massacre victims.

But sheep? Emerson on Sky News, Tuesday:

I think what Mahatma Gandhi said (eyes swelling up), “You can judge a society by the way it treats animals”, that’s a pretty reasonable observation from a very wise man.

Gandhi quotes? Tears? Mate, they’re sheep. US pop diva Fergie, May 22, 2007:

It’s time to be a big girl now / And big girls don’t cry …

And your Labor government was lily-livered on live exports, buddy. News.com.au, June 6, 2011:

Live cattle exports to Indonesia will resume on a limited basis after a three-week total ban which threatened livelihoods and diplomatic relations.

Talking of lily-livered … Tony Abbott on Twitter, yesterday:

On this point Miranda Devine always gets it wrong. The Abbott Govt did NOT introduce “Safe Schools”. It was inherited from the Gillard Govt. I would never knowingly put in place a gender manipulation program pretending to be about anti-bullying

Miranda Devine responds to the former prime minister on Twitter, yesterday:

Not true, @TonyAbbottMHR Your government launched and funded Safe Schools. Here’s the press release: Friday, 13 June, 2014. You were warned about the content and yet you did not scrap it. It was a mistake. Just own it.

She’s right. Abbott government press release, June 13, 2014:

Safe Schools Coalition Australia launched.

Finally, Janet Albrechtsen puts her heart on the line in The Australian, yesterday:

I have to admit I have a slight girl-crush on (Sally) McManus.

But she gets it broken into pieces. McManus replies to Albrechtsen on Twitter, yesterday:

She’s really not my type.

Never mind her, Janet. We love you. The Rocky Horror Show, June 19, 1973:

I’ve one thing to say and that’s / Dammit, Janet, I love you …