So much for understanding woman. Opposition Leader Tony Abbott’s sparked an online frenzy after telling a female journalist to “calm down” when he disapproved of her line of questioning.
The comments, and the bemused response from Guardian journalist Bridie Jabour, were captured on instagram video by Channel Nine reporter Sarah Harris during questioning this morning when he was asked about repaying travel expenses.
It’s quickly led to a succession of tweets followed by the hashtag #calmdownbridie.
Abbott’s not the first male politician to attempt the ‘calm down’ approach when dismissing a line of questioning from female journalists.
In April 2011 UK PM David Cameron was accused of sexism after telling a female MP to “calm down dear” during a fiery House of Commons exchange.
Have you ever been told to ‘calm down’? Meredith the mentor has, and she’s got a few strategies on how to respond.