latham not winning any friends

Mark Latham ambushes Tony Abbott at Penrith RSL, angry veterans tell former ALP leader where to go

Michael Madigan From: The Courier-Mail August 12, 2010 11:23AM

FORMER Opposition leader-turned 60 Minutes "reporter" Mark Latham has gatecrashed a gathering of war veterans to ambush Tony Abbott.

Angry veterans told the former ALP leader to ""piss off'' when he turned up at the event at Penrith RSL club.

Mr Latham crashed the gathering of veterans where Opposition leader Tony Abbott is explaining new Coalition policy on veterans.

He waited in the wings, sipping coffee, until Abbott made to leave then pushed his way though a large media scrum to shake hands with the Coalition leader and ask him a question about his role in the downfall of Pauline Hanson.

The wife of a veteran said: ""He is only here because he is on 60 minutes.''

Another veteran yelled ""Piss off Latham.''

""Well said,'' replied another.

Others suggested th media should not be training their cameras on the former labor leader. END

Normally, I would say that any leader on the campaign trail is fair game for any reporter.

But, there is a time and a place and room for a bit of dignity and respect, especially in the presence of our war veterans.

I'm sure that Tony10 is more than a match for Latham, but Latham should be more selective in time and place for his barnstorming sensationalism.

I think the response from the veterans sums up what most people are thinking anyway.

cheers.

cheers