29 January 2012

Contradictory and confusing accounts of the Australia Day protest fiasco

There are still a lot of unanswered questions about the events leading up to the ugly demonstrations outside The Lobby Restaurant on Australia Day, as the accounts given by Julia Gillard and UnionsACT secretary Kim Sattler don’t add up:

“I heard it from the crowd.” — Kim Sattler, The Canberra Times, January 28, 2012 2:24 PM

“Mr Hodges accurately conveyed to her [Kim Sattler] the statement made by Mr Abbott.” — Julia Gillard, The Australian, January 28, 2012 4:29 PM

“I spoke to Tony Hodges on the phone… He mentioned that Tony Abbott had made a statement about the embassy, that it shouldn’t exist at all.” — Kim Sattler, Sunday Herald Sun, January 29, 2012 12:00 AM

“ACT union official Kim Sattler says reports that her account of events on Australia Day contradicts Prime Minister Julia Gillard are ‘inaccurate’.” — The Sydney Morning Herald, January 29, 2012 1:37 PM