In a previous defence of his chief-of-staff, Abbott wondered if the attacks on her would have been as vicious if she were a “Peter”, instead of a “Peta”.
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But she said getting more strong women in politics, and as head of departments and companies was key to better gender representation, in a world where men will arrange power dinners without asking any women.
Columnist for The Australian Niki Savva, whom Ms Credlin demanded be sacked for her criticisms of her, might paraphrase that differently.
And she refused to be “defined by insider gossip from unnamed sources where no one has the guts to put their name to it”.
Then there was the Crosby/Textor campaign strategy, the Liberal organisation, and the voter antagonism to Labor heated up by the Julia Gillard and Kevin Rudd turmoil.
Opposition Leader Bill Shorten said Ms Credlin was a “very formidable” chief of staff, who gave greater loyalty to Mr Abbott than some of his colleagues gave him. They all played a part.
The statement, which received an encouraging applause from her audience, followed speculation that the end of Mr Abbott’s prime ministership was fuelled by Credlin’s supposed bitter relationship with members of the Coalition backbench and the cabinet.
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull speaks to Peta Credlin during House of Representatives question time.
And last night Credlin expanded on this theory, saying: “If I was a guy, I wouldn’t be bossy, I’d be strong”.
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THE prime minister’s wife Lucy Turnbull has arrived at a black-tie awards night in Sydney, where she will be rubbing shoulders with political heavyweights including Peta Credlin. She does not deserve being blamed for a prime minister losing office in his first term at the hands of his own party. Her actions – the bad ones – were elements in that leadership collapse and she should not be allowed to avoid it. It’s been said about me for 16 years.
