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Cory Bernardi invokes abortion in Senate attack on political opponents Cory Bernardi invokes abortion in Senate attack on political opponents
(about 17 hours later)
The Liberal senator Cory Bernardi has invoked abortion in a parliamentary debate about budget measures, arguing his political opponents recognised “the dignity of the baby dolphin” but not “the dignity of the unborn child”.The Liberal senator Cory Bernardi has invoked abortion in a parliamentary debate about budget measures, arguing his political opponents recognised “the dignity of the baby dolphin” but not “the dignity of the unborn child”.
Bernardi raised the issue on Wednesday during a Senate debate over the government’s budget plan to strip young jobseekers of income support for months at a time – a measure the upper house looks likely to block.Bernardi raised the issue on Wednesday during a Senate debate over the government’s budget plan to strip young jobseekers of income support for months at a time – a measure the upper house looks likely to block.
He accused Labor and the Greens of using terms like “cruel” while only caring about “political advantage and wedge”. Bernardi said the Greens’ welfare spokeswoman, Rachel Siewert, had engaged in “hysterical screeching” that talked about the rights of people but not the respect, honour and dignity that came from work.He accused Labor and the Greens of using terms like “cruel” while only caring about “political advantage and wedge”. Bernardi said the Greens’ welfare spokeswoman, Rachel Siewert, had engaged in “hysterical screeching” that talked about the rights of people but not the respect, honour and dignity that came from work.
"Responsibility, I think, is the hallmark of every adult, and the adults in this chamber are clearly on this side of the chamber [the government side],” he said."Responsibility, I think, is the hallmark of every adult, and the adults in this chamber are clearly on this side of the chamber [the government side],” he said.
“What it is is about recognising the dignity of every individual, and that's what they don't like. The Greens and the Labor party recognise the dignity of the baby dolphin; they don't recognise the dignity of the unborn child. They recognise the dignity of a plant but they don't recognise the dignity of having power from a hydroelectric dam. They are sanctimonious hypocrites.”“What it is is about recognising the dignity of every individual, and that's what they don't like. The Greens and the Labor party recognise the dignity of the baby dolphin; they don't recognise the dignity of the unborn child. They recognise the dignity of a plant but they don't recognise the dignity of having power from a hydroelectric dam. They are sanctimonious hypocrites.”
Bernardi was forced to withdraw the hypocrisy claim as it was deemed to be unparliamentary.Bernardi was forced to withdraw the hypocrisy claim as it was deemed to be unparliamentary.
It is not the first time the South Australian Liberal senator has aired his anti-abortion views. In January, Tony Abbott distanced himself from Bernardi’s book which, among other things, criticised the “abortion death industry”. At the time the prime minister said: “Senator Bernardi is a backbencher and his views do not represent the position of the government.”It is not the first time the South Australian Liberal senator has aired his anti-abortion views. In January, Tony Abbott distanced himself from Bernardi’s book which, among other things, criticised the “abortion death industry”. At the time the prime minister said: “Senator Bernardi is a backbencher and his views do not represent the position of the government.”
Facing the media in Perth on Thursday, Abbott said he was not aware of the particular comments. “But a lot of people in the parliament say a lot of colourful things. A lot of people in the parliament say things in the heat of debate that they may not repeat in the cool light of day. We’re all a bit like that,” the prime minister said.
In the speech on Wednesday, Bernardi also attacked the Greens senator Peter Whish-Wilson for “going on about Hydro Tasmania”.In the speech on Wednesday, Bernardi also attacked the Greens senator Peter Whish-Wilson for “going on about Hydro Tasmania”.
“As far as I know the Greens have never supported a dam in their life; in fact I would say they don't give a damn about much except plants and baby whales and dolphins and the like. They certainly do not care for the most vulnerable in our community,” Bernardi said.“As far as I know the Greens have never supported a dam in their life; in fact I would say they don't give a damn about much except plants and baby whales and dolphins and the like. They certainly do not care for the most vulnerable in our community,” Bernardi said.
He also attacked a Labor senator for a theatrical performance in the Senate.He also attacked a Labor senator for a theatrical performance in the Senate.
“Today we've seen Senator [Sam] Dastyari model himself on Derek Zoolander by holding up his file and posing for the cameras and giving his true blue steel look,” Bernardi said. “This is a complete abomination. These people are abrogating their responsibility for running the national budget and the finances into the ground.”“Today we've seen Senator [Sam] Dastyari model himself on Derek Zoolander by holding up his file and posing for the cameras and giving his true blue steel look,” Bernardi said. “This is a complete abomination. These people are abrogating their responsibility for running the national budget and the finances into the ground.”