Tony Abbott has again failed to show leadership following divisive comments made by himself and his backbenchers’ on what people can and cannot wear.

Yesterday, the Prime Minister didn’t condemn his rogue backbench and today he refused to put to rest his own divisive and unhelpful comments, instead, referring back to them:

JOURNALIST: You said you find it [the Burqa] confronting though. Is that a divisive comment to make, perhaps unhelpful in the current environment when we have anti-Islamic sentiment going through the community?

ABBOTT: Again I would refer people to what I said yesterday.

JOURNALIST: You said it was confronting.

ABBOTT: Again, I would refer people to what I’ve said yesterday and on previous occasions. 

TONY ABBOTT – PRESS CONFERENCE – 2 OCTOBER 2014 

In his failure to put an end to divisive rhetoric Tony Abbott has failed one of the main tests of leadership; uniting the community.   

It seems Tony Abbott still hasn’t read the job description or really understands the definition of leadership.

Now, more than ever, Australia’s political leaders need to foster community harmony – every politician has a responsibility to promote inclusion and respect. We need the whole nation pulling together. 

The community deserves better than these pathetic words from Tony Abbott, he needs to start showing leadership, particularly in such difficult times.

THURSDAY, 2 OCTOBER 2014