Australia Opposition Warren Entsch Shows Insensitivity to Working Women’s Needs
Labor petitioned against Warren Entsch of the opposition to be removed from office as he shows insensitivity when it comes to the needs of the working women, The Australian Reports.
Minister Jenny Macklin speak to the parliament they have seen the "true colors of those opposite today. The member of Leichhardt is so out of touch with the needs of working women, the member for Leichhardt should be sacked."
A letter from Warren Entsch proves that he refused to give pair to MP Rowland even with the request made noting that "her child being unwell."
The Coalition concedes today and had given a pair to Rowland who claims her daughter Octavia is sick with flu and severe fever.
Insider from the coalition said that Labor is guilty of taking advantage of the pairing system. The source alleges that Labor MP Mike Kelly was able to take leave from work saying that he needs to take care of a sick family member. The cancellation was made just 10 minutes before the pair takes effect.
Prime Minister Julia Gillard thinks of the incident as a proof that Tony Abbot is insensitive in recognizing the needs of the working women.
Prime Minister Gillard was emotional. "Can I say very clearly, what has happened with this matter makes an absolute mockery of everything the Leader of the Opposition has ever said about working women. It just shows so clearly that he doesn't get it.
Health Minister Tanya Plibersek goes with the same attack, "This is the best example ever that they don't care about modern families. She should be home with her child."
Mr. Entsch defends himself by saying accusing MP Rowland of a political stunt for the Coalition to have grounds to attack him. "She had asked on Monday or Tuesday" to be excused from parliament today. If it had been me and it had been my sick child, I would have been sitting with my sick child. I wouldn't have been spending all week in the parliament."
He explains that if the child is sick on Monday, "she should be sitting at home with her child. If it's sick on Tuesday or Wednesday, she never made any effort to explain the situation. I actually gave her leave when I read about it in the paper and instead of grabbing the first flight home which she portrayed being concerned, she sat in three divisions. She could have been half way back to Sydney in that time."
Manager of opposition Christopher Pyne also explains that MP Rowland had been granted a pair but the Coalition is to be blamed for not giving immediate information about Rowland's situation.
Pyne explains that "If somebody has a sick child, if somebody needs to visit their wife who has been in hospital for 14 days, of course they will be granted a pair." The issue went out of control when the Coalition files for the government for a crossbencher to pair with Liberal MP Alex Somlyay who reported sick earlier in the day. The request was not granted, again, because Independent MP Rob Oakeshott said he saw Mr. Somlyay roaming the office corridor when the request was made.