{
  "id": 18987827,
  "title": "Abbott says Gillard's misogyny speech an 'unjustified attack'",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/08/abbott-says-gillards-misogyny-speech-an-unjustified-attack",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-08T18:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "ABC News AU",
    "slug": "abc-news-au",
    "url": "https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-11-09/tony-abbott-julia-gillard-misogyny-speech-unjustified-attack/107181260"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Tony Abbott has dismissed Julia Gillard's highly controversial misogyny speech as \"pretty over the top\" and an \"unjustified attack.\" The incident occurred in 2009, when Gillard confronted Abbott over accusations of sexism and misogyny aimed at the government, stemming from his decision to retain Speaker Peter Slipper, who had been accused of sexual harassment. Abbott, who had known Gillard for a long time, considered her a formidable politician with mutual respect, but acknowledged that her speech had frayed that respect. Abbott maintained that he had never treated women differently simply because they were women and that most of Gillard's accusations against him were exaggerated or unfair. Gillard delivered the speech off the cuff, having requested a list of Abbott's sexist quotes from her team. The speech, which took place during the Speaker Peter Slipper controversy, became an iconic feminist moment, despite Abbott's initial disbelief in its impact.",
  "summary": "Reflecting on Julia Gillard's now-iconic speech, Tony Abbott says he thought it was \"pretty over the top\" and saw it mostly as an example of political theatre.",
  "key_points": [
    "Tony Abbott dismissed Julia Gillard's misogyny speech as over the top.",
    "He maintained mutual respect and said he never treated women differently.",
    "The speech became an iconic feminist moment despite initial disbelief."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}