Abbott stars at sexist awards night

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Federal Opposition Leader Tony Abbott has taken out two Ernie Awards at the 18th annual forum which names and shames public figures for making sexist comments throughout the year.

But he missed out on the top prize this year, the Gold Ernie, which went to a group of university students at St Paul's College in Sydney for setting up a pro-rape Facebook page.


The college's "Define Statutory" group, which defined itself as "pro-rape, anti-consent", was condemned by women's groups, the government and police when it came to light last November.



Mr Abbott won a Political Silver Ernie award for such comments as "What the housewives of Australia need to understand as they do the ironing ...", at the awards show in Sydney on Thursday night.


He was the favourite to win the political category after being nominated this year eight times.
The winners are determined by how loud the 300 women who attend the event at NSW Parliament House in Sydney howl, hiss and boo the nominations.
Mr Abbott also took out the Clinton Award, reserved for repeat offenders.


But he was given a run for his money this year by his treasury spokesman Joe Hockey.


Mr Hockey was twice nominated for the political Ernie this year, including his election campaign gaffe: "(Treasurer) Wayne Swan is to surpluses, what Paris Hilton is to celibacy".



Former David Jones CEO Mark McInnes shared this year's Industrial Silver Ernie with mining magnate Clive Palmer.
Mr McInnes was dishonoured for allegedly telling his former secretary she was "overreacting" after he casually touched her breast.
Mr Palmer shared the gong for telling pregnant federal Housing Minister Tanya Plibersek, "you shouldn't get too excited in your fragile condition".
Ms Plibersek appears to have been on the receiving end of a lot of sexist flak this year.

ABC Radio presenter Genevieve Jacobs was given the Elaine award (for comments least helpful to the sisterhood) for an interview she had with Ms Plibersek.
"Do you feel bad that other people are raising your children?" Ms Jacobs asked the minister.


The Ernie for Sport, the Warnie, went to former NSW State of Origin rugby league assistant coach Andrew Johns for calling Qld player Greg Inglis a "black c".
Lads' mag FHM took the Media Silver Ernie for their "Are you man enough for her" quiz which allocated "10 man points" for having sex with a woman who didn't want to have sex.


On the plus side, crikey.com.au founder Stephen Mayne has a Good Ernie to add to his Walkley Award.
Mr Mayne was honoured for calling for legislation to fix the male domination of public company boards.
The Ernie Awards are named in honour of former Labor Council president Ernie Ecob, who was known for his sexist remarks.