Opposition Leader Tony Abbott is everything a woman could want in a husband "and more", according to his wife, Margie, who has leapt to her spouse's defence over claims he is sexist and has trouble dealing with women in positions of authority. Mrs Abbott joined her husband of 24 years in a television appearance this morning, saying she understood politics was a rough-and-tumble business and that to achieve success, a tough exterior was required. As well as the carefully co-ordinated television appearance, News Ltd tabloids ran features on the couple, heavy with family photos and personal disclosures. Advertisement "So seeing the real person is often very difficult and sitting in front of a camera is perhaps not the best opportunity to show that softer side," she told Channel Nine. Mrs Abbott said Mr Abbott was everything she could want in a husband and their daughters were "in love with their father". "Tony Abbott gets women and ... the women in Tony Abbott's life certainly get him," she said. "So perhaps less of the camera and more of the women." Among the intimate details was the revelation that Ms Abbott had suffered a miscarriage after the birth of their first daughter and that Mr Abbott weeps in sentimental movies. Mrs Abbott is due to make a speech in Sydney later today where she will spruik her husband's connection with women. She will be joined by their 21-year-old daughter, Frances, and two of Mr Abbott's sisters. Mrs Abbott's defence of her husband comes as Labor figures step up their attack on Mr Abbott by claiming he has a problem with women in positions of power. Attorney-General Nicola Roxon, Health Minister Tanya Plibersek and backbencher Julie Owens have been especially vocal, leading the Coalition to coin the phrase "handbag hit squad."
