Aussie PM Gillard’s partner makes crass comment about ‘small Asian female doctor’
(01-29 09:57)
The partner of Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard apologized for making a quip about an “Asian female doctor.’’
Australia has struggled with race issues involving its Asian population for years as well as with the native Aboriginals, who have been abused from historical times.
Tim Mathieson made the comment during a reception at The Lodge in Canberra last night attended by members of the West Indies cricket team.
Mathieson brought up the need for men to have regular checks for prostate cancer.
“Go and get that exam that none of us like to have done, but we know we should,'' Mathieson said. Gillard was standing behind him at the time.
“We can get a blood test for it but the digital examination is the only true way to get a correct reading on your prostate, so make sure you go and do that. And perhaps look[ing] for a small Asian female doctor is probably the best way...’’
The comment was met with laughter at the time, but the opposition said Mathieson's remark was in bad taste and he later apologized.
“It was meant as a joke, and on reflection I accept it was in poor taste,'' he said in a statement. “I apologize for any offense caused.’’
Gillard said Mathieson was passionate about getting out the message to men to get recommended health checks, but agreed the apology was the right thing to do.
“Tim's apologized for a joke that was in poor taste,'' she said.
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