Picture: (L-R) Eric Hutchinson MP, Charlton Farm Produce Director David Addison look on as Prime Minister Tony Abbott samples an onion during a visit to Charlton Farm Produce at MoriartySource:News Corp Australia ‘I shouldn’t have eaten an onion’: Abbott’s biggest regrets as prime minister Liz Burke@lizeburke 15 September 2017 TONY Abbott has finally joined the ranks of everyone ever, agreeing that it was not the best idea for him to bite into a raw onion - among other things. TONY Abbott has admitted his regret over one of the most unfortunately memorable moments of his prime ministerial career — biting into that onion. This week marks two years since the former Liberal leader was deposed as prime minister, and two years and six months since one of his weirdest moments in the role. The then PM was on a tour of a Tasmanian farm when he grabbed and bit into a raw onion, attacking the brown, layered bulb, skin and all. The move perplexed constituents and commentators and drew international bewilderment.  Tony Abbott admits the day he was knifed was ‘not great’, but now appears happy on the backbench. Picture: Lukas Coch/AAPSource:AAP In a candid interview with the Daily Telegraph, Mr Abbott listed the incident among his regrets. “I probably shouldn’t have winked at Neil Mitchell. I probably shouldn’t have eaten an onion. I probably should have had walk coaching,” he said. Among his other regrets Mr Abbott listed not giving more consideration to a nuclear powered submarine or cracking down on politician entitlements. Mr Abbott went on to say he had learnt some important lessons during his leadership. “The important thing is to learn as you go through life,” he said. But Mr Abbott remains convinced he led a good government, and said he has “not the slightest doubt” that the government would have won last year’s federal election under his leadership. He admitted the day he was ousted from the leadership “wasn’t a great day”, but said he wouldn’t let that ruin the “six good years” he had as the Liberal Party leader. |
