Clones? Who needs them in our Parliament

Yes, it was Prime Minister Julia Gillard who restarted the so-called gender wars with a fiery speech last week directed at Tony Abbott and his stance on abortion. But it was the obscene dinner menu, linked to former Howard government minister Mal Brough's fund-raiser in Brisbane that ensured it would be more than just a skirmish.The army's latest sex scandal will only ensure that gender will not quietly go away as an issue.We have been reminded, though, of the breathtaking sexist hostility that exists towards Gillard. It is hard to conceive of a male PM ever being subjected to something like it. Can you imagine demeaning menus featuring frankfurters or chorizos named after them? Or radio hosts questioning them ...