Tony Abbott revealed on 60 Minutes that him and his family went through a tough time when his own sister revealed that she was a lesbian. Courtesy 60 Minutes Channel Nine
The Opposition Leader Tony Abbott says he has grown. Picture: Gary Ramage Source: The Australian
- Tony Abbott: I was disappointed by what I said
- Opposition Leader 'unfazed' by sister's sexuality
- "I've changed and I'd like to think I've grown"
TONY Abbott has revealed he was having a tough time with his sister's coming out as a lesbian when he told a television audience he was "a bit threatened" by homosexuals.
The Opposition Leader now says he is "in a better space" on the issue, and admits: "I've certainly said some things which I wouldn't say now."
That 2010 comment from Mr Abbott, only recently installed to take the Coalition into an election, helped his critics brand him as a homophobe.
But his sister, Christine Forster, and her partner Virginia Edwards praise him for his acceptance of what had happened.
And they agree with Mr Abbott that he was unfazed by the news his sister four years ago ended a 19-year marriage because she had fallen in love with another woman she had met at the school gates waiting for their children.
"It came as a bit of a shock when someone who is close to you, who you've always thought of in a particular light, tells you that they're now to be seen in a different light," the Opposition Leader has told Nine's 60 minutes for a broadcast Sunday night.
But he said, "Nevertheless I think I was probably reasonably unfazed by it."
And Ms Forster confirmed the view: "Completely unfazed. Completely."
She said:"When I told him about the situation I was in, he just said to me, 'Look, Chris, I know that life does throw up some difficult and sometimes terrible situations for people but I know that you're just going to be doing the best you can to deal with that'."
But she had been surprised by her brother's television confession of a fear of homosexuality.
"I saw it on telly the night that it was broadcast," she recalled.
"In the first instance I was surprised. I was kind of taken aback. But it doesn't really reflect what I know of my brother. I was a little disappointed - I'll be honest."
Back in 2010, as the Abbott family adjusted to Ms Foster's decisions, her brother was interviewed on 60 minutes about his personal views, including his attitude to homosexuality.
"I probably feel a bit threatened," he said at the time.
Later Mr Abbott would attempt to soften that apparently harsh view by listing the number of gay men he counted as friends and advisers. But he made no mention of his sister.
He now acknowledges Ms Forster's announcement had been tough for his family, but he is disappointed in his response to the question.
"When I reviewed the thing I was a bit disappointed as well," he told the program.
"What flashed through my mind, as you were questioning me, was what was going on in my own family at the time.
"Now I couldn't talk about that then because it was deeply personal and deeply private. But certainly, they were very tough times for our family, hence my comment.
"Because the cohesion of our family was threatened at that time. But I'm pleased to say that we're all in a better space now than we were then."
Mr Abbott said he had changed his mind on some views he had stated publicly.
"I said some things which I believed then which I don't believe now," he told 60 Minutes.
"Because like everyone who's had a long time in public life - in particular - I've changed and I'd like to think that I've grown."
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