So to answer your question, what would I have done if I were in the PM's shoes? Depends if I wanted to play politics or not. If I were to play politics I would, after the speech, get a high profile supporter to launch a campaign called something like "Stamp out Misogyny" and get everyone to wear badges in parliament and then tighten the screws on Abbott to be accountable for his questionable remarks regarding women. But this is a distraction, I would shake of the shackles of a minority government and start taking it to Abbott for his lack of policy substance, I would invite him, one-on-one, to take part in a series of debates around the country to showcase his lack of any policy depth. The election campaign would start now. Esteemed blog! Thank YOU! I agree with you that Julia should pounce on his lack of policy substance -- but I just feel like this nation wouldn't notice it (wouldn't they have noticed by now?) as it is entrenched in an anti-Gillard campaign that renders them blind from seeing the bleeding obvious! I thank you again for your great conversation. Paula