PM Gillard to Skip New ABC Political Satire
Third Episode Features PM Draped With Australian Flag
Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard said she would skip watching the third episode of ABC political satire "At Home With Julia," which airs Wednesday night.
"I'm not intending to watch tonight's episode. I've got more to do," ABC Radio quoted Ms Gillard.
In the third episode, Amanda Bishop, who plays the prime minister, is shown draped with an Australian flag after a love session with Tim Mathieson, portrayed by actor Phil Lloyd. The scene was supposed to have taken place at Ms Gillard's office in Parliament House.
Ms Gillard admitted she watched the first episode of "At Home With Julia," but not on the night of its premier.
"Aspects of that first episode were funny but, seriously, I've got more to do than sit around watching ABC TV," the prime minister added.
She declined to provide any further commentary on the TV show. Other MPs spoke against the program, particularly its use of the Australian flag.
Outraged MPS: ABC Funding to be Reviewed
Nationals MP John Forrest described the office sex scene between Ms Gillard and Mr Mathieson as appalling, while Queensland Liberal MP Teresa Gamboro said the show degraded the office of the prime minister. Gamboro sought a review of ABC funding.
"I don't mind programs taking the mickey out of politicians, but frankly I think this one is a bit low rent," Treasurer Wayne Swan told ABC Radio.
Also infuriated by the apparent disrespectful use of the national flag are the parents of an Australian soldier who was killed in Afghanistan.
"We are disgusted at the use of the Australian flag in such a disrespectful manner as in At Home With Julie.... We should remember the servicemen, our son included, who have given their lives defending the true significance and meaning of the Australian flag," the Herald Sun quoted the letter written by the parents of deceased Victorian soldier Marcus Case.
"Such men are buried under this flag with the respect and honour it and they deserve.... To abuse the flag's significance as the ABD has done is a disgrace," the slain soldier's parents stressed.
"I'm thinking about my late father who lost three brothers for that flag.... The veterans are going to go ballistic," Mr Forrest added.
The MP said the show mocks women and probably would not have done it if the current prime minister were a male.
ABC head Mark Scott said the showed would be aired as scheduled despite the growing public outrage.
A Herald Sun online poll of 5,000 respondents showed they were split if the program had gone too far.