(From the Advertiser.) Tony Abbot, Julia Gillard in mutual respect club
June 11, 2009 09:22am
JULIA Gillard has won an endorsement from the man she says is one of her toughest opponents in Parliament.
The Deputy Prime Minister has said Opposition frontbencher Tony Abbott was the most fun to deal with in Parliament, adding there was eccentricity in his character that made him interesting "each and every day and in each and every encounter".
Mr Abbott was also the toughest opponent on a good day in Parliament, she said.
Mr Abbott has repaid the compliment, saying Ms Gillard should be the nation's leader now "because at least she speaks English", referring to his earlier criticism of Prime Minister Kevin Rudd's use of outdated slang.
"I think there's an authenticity about Julia Gillard which Kevin Rudd lacks," he said.
She seemed "fair dinkum" in a way that Mr Rudd was not.
"And I think that is what a lot of people respect in her."
