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Feature - Remaking "Captain Catholic"

Published: July 30, 2009

The launch of Tony Abbott's book, Battlelines, has given Abbott the chance to neutralise his reputation negatives, especially the "Captain Catholic" label he was given when, as health minister, he made the reasonable point that Australia's abortion rate of up to 100,000 abortions every year was far too high.

So on Tuesday it was New Tony on the podium, not the Mad Monk, Captain Catholic or Howard's head-kicker, and his choice to launch the book, Sarah Murdoch, model, TV presenter and wife of media scion Lachlan Murdoch, said it all.

Quite different in style, the two men are remarkably similar in outlook, both Catholic and intellectually able, they are driven by the idea of duty and politics as a vocation, and their competition serves the country well. - Miranda Devine, Sydney Morning Herald (click below for full article)

http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/the-remaking-of-the-mad-monk-20090729-e1ip.html?page=-1

 

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Recent Comments

  1. What !!?
    No comments about this catholic man-of-the moment !

    Posted By: Harry

  2. The two men, who "are remarkably similar", are not Lachlan Murdoch and Tony Abbott, as the above extract might suggest, but Malcolm Turnbull and Tony Abbott.

    Posted By: Tony

  3. Why is it that Tony Abbott gets so much press in the Catholic Media? One would think he is the only Catholic in government. Maybe he is the only one to flaunt his religion.

    Posted By: Peg Saunders

  4. Tony Abbott claims that the ideals of The Movement and of the DLP are already found within the Liberal Party these days with more Catholics. I say he is wrong. Tony has gone against some of the fundamentals of the National Civic Council of which I am a member. Tony's public defence of Work (non) Choices and of the current free trade system are contrary to both the NCC and the DLP( both the DLP from is beginnings and also currently).

    Posted By: Michael Webb

  5. Being labelled a Catholic is still a "reputation negative"? Will Catholics ever become regarded as equals in this country?

    Posted By: Peter G

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