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Back in October last year, Fairfax hacks James Massola and Latika Burke put together a story very much reflecting the reaction of the anointed class to Tony Abbott’s off-the-cuff remark that he would “shirtfront” Vladimir Putin about the destruction of MH-17 and the deaths of all 298 aboard, including 38 Australians. Among those those who presume their morals, values and perspectives so much loftier and more insightful than lesser humans, that sporting term inspired much eye-rolling and ridicule. Confirmation that the Prime Minister was a two-fisted simpleton! Further proof that the nuances and niceties of international diplomacy were beyond his knuckle-dragging ken! A reminder by implication of the shame Australia brought upon itself by rejecting at the ballot box the sound, reasoned and accomplished diplomacy of the Rudd/Gillard/Rudd years!
So strong was the impulse to scoff and scorn that the ABC, that citadel of likemindedness, actually commissioned an airhead blonde to produce an allegedly humourous skit for 7.30. The national broadcaster then expressed surprise that anyone could object to a routine making sport of mass murder. That’s what can happen when your news judgements are made in a bubble inflated by partisanship and far too much self-regard.
Anyway, in their reporting of the adverse reactions to Abbott’s metaphor — and their story quoted only his critics — Massola and Burke touched base with the Russian Embassy, where the ambassador’s mockery was presented as an entirely valid and reasonable point of view. Bill Shorten’s criticism of the PM’s allegedly intemperate language was sought and dutifully amplified. And just to put a rancid cherry on the cake, Massola and Burke even stooped low enough to scoop up some quotes from Jackie Lambie. Putin was an admirable fellow, she said, and Abbott a disgrace for denying Russia the right to be regarded as “innocent until proven guilty”. Yes, even Lambie’s appraisal was accorded the presumption of worth, such was the rush to ridicule Abbott. Somehow, no doubt as a consequence of oversight, Ivan Milat’s views on Abbott went unsought.
All of the above unfolded ten months ago. But today, things have changed — well, one thing has changed, at any rate.
“The PM who wanted to shirtfront Putin has vanished” says the headline above Massola’s latest dubious contribution to the sum of human knowledge. Follow the author’s logic and — golly gosh! — it seems that Abbott, far from being the international embarrassment presented in 2014, was actually at the top of his game when taking it up to Putin. After quoting none but anonymous sources, all of whom are gifted with a talent for the pithy and mellifluous observation, Massola distills his point in the final paragraph:
“… it’s hard to escape the conclusion that Australia would be better served by Abbott the anchor and chief of a year ago, guided by his own instincts, rather than Abbott the warrior of today.”
But perhaps there is comfort of a sort to be drawn from such a brazen about-face. While it might seem that a declining share price and ever-shrinking circulations are the only constants in the wreckage of Fairfax’s once-great news organisation, Massola’s missive illustrates another element that never varies: Whatever Abbott does will always be wrong.
Actually, there is one other constant. Look at the illustration atop this item, paying particular attention to the sub-headline. Notice that it has been repeated? At Fairfax, where unprincipled idiocy marches in lockstep with incoherence, professional incompetence has made it a threesome.
To learn why the Abbott of today should be more like the man he shouldn’t have been in October, 2014, follow the link below.
— roger franklin
