Did anyone hear Tony Abbott's remarks when asked whether he would accept Ms Gillard's challenge for a debate on the economy, He criticised the invitation before saying: "Are you suggesting to me that when it comes from Julia, 'no' doesn't mean 'no.

What an ill informed phrase to use. Startling lack of judgment given that part of this election appears to be fought on gender.

To be honest, I wouldn't have given it a second thought. Its a phrase and common English at that. To jump on that is just a purile act of the media.

What annoyed me more was Gillard wanting a second debate after refusing three repeatedly initially, deliberately then picking the launch day of the Coalition campaign and crying about it to the media when Abbott says no way I'm altering my plans just because the polls are starting to hate you.

The ALP campaign is starting to look more like a stunt show than plan by a party fit to govern. It's frankly embarrassing.

But she did say no !! Then waited for him to make his plans, then changed her mind, and now complains that he isn't interested. And who thought it is anything other than the debate ?

This election should NOT be on gender !!

I am in agreement with you both that TA should not have to change his schedule to suit her change of mind and to be honest I have little time for either of them.

I am just surprised at his lack of polish. It was an extremely stupid phrase to use. He must know the connotations of it. He made another gaffe today when he referred to the Government as the former Government, making him sound too sure of himself.

Don't know who his advisers are but they need the sack.

Technically he may be right, as the ALP are currently only a "caretaker government". They are now unable to make any major decisions, in the same way as a normal government can.

However, I think it was just a slip of the tongue. He isn't as polished a legal speaker as Julia Gillard. She appears to think every word through, and ensure she says nothing she means... oops... I mean nothing wrong....

I can't even believe that this is a newsworthy story. What a ridiculously PC world we live in and how the press try and makes news out of nothing.

Much ado about absolutely nothing. If you cant string 3 common english words together in a phrase that is pretty damn common in itself without getting up someone's PC nose then we are at a pretty pass. I daresay TA isnt intimately connected with the rape crisis mob and I must say that as a female it never even crossed my mind that it was an issue.

Media beat up in spades.

Totally agree! He was talking about a specific subject and his words were valid. Anyone with an ounce of comprehension would understand that. Unfortunately there are those who would pick on anything to try to show T.A. in a bad light.

As some will know I am not a TA fan but I agree with the 'beat up' line, it's a pathetic thing to focus on ...

Yes, it's petty...but when it comes to voting for TA (where the heck has this 'TA' thing come from!?) no, does mean NO!

Absolute rubbish, in my opinion. He simply stated what he thought about her backflip on the matter of debates. Why people would take that out of context is beyond me, unless they are anti Tony Abbott and hope to show him as anti female.

For my part TA is easier when I am tapping on my iThing having had a gutload of the working day and getting deep into some cask having told my current employers to stick their job and swivel on it.

Brevity is an Aussie thing and should be encouraged ... in any case TA is easier to type than Wing Nut Faced ****.

Put it in context of the debate which was the context that it was used and there was asolutely nothing wrong with it.

People jumping up and down about nothing. People are far too sensitive nowadays.

Connotations are applied by the listener ie the listener hears what they want to hear, not what is actually said.