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AHC want apology from Abbott

Opposition Leader Tony Abbott recently made a comment criticising the Gillard government's move to boost funds for the International Monetary Fund (IMF)

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17 Nov 2011

Opposition Leader Tony Abbott recently made a comment criticising the Gillard government's move to boost funds for the International Monetary Fund (IMF), saying "the risk is that the Australian taxpayer will end up contributing another $5 billion to the IMF so that Greeks can continue to retire at 50".

The Australian Hellenic Council (NSW) wrote Mr Abbott an email last week, expressing their "profound disappointment" at his comments and adding that "neither Australian nor IMF nor EU funds are being used in this way". The email, written jointly by Council coordinator George Vellis and Media Director Dr Panayiotis Diamadis includes a request for a written correction of Mr Abbott's statements, which is said to "appear to ridicule the real suffering of the people of Greece".

Mr Abbott, however, maintains that the Coalition supports the IMF, but not Australia's involvement in what the MP describes as a "European bailout". Federal Treasurer Wayne Swan has also derided Mr Abbott's comments, saying to ABC's Radio National that "the government will not contribute directly to the European bailout fund, and it's up to the IMF to decide what to do with any funding increase".

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