Prime Minister Julia Gillard.
A Facebook question-and-answer session hosted by the Prime Minister descended into personal abuse today, as the row over Alan Jones' comments about Julia Gillard's family continues to rage.
Participants in the online event made sexist and at times lecherous comments about Ms Gillard, with one even asking her: "How's your dad?"
Sydney shock-jock Alan Jones today hosted his first show without advertising, after Maquarie Radio Network temporarily suspended all ads for the show.
Advertisers had abandoned Mr Jones' show in droves after it was revealed he told a Sydney University Liberal function two weeks ago Ms Gillard's father had died of "shame" at his daughter's "lies".
But while Mr Jones' comments drew widespread disgust and consternation about the deteriorating tone of Australian politics, only several Facebook users condemned the man, Matthew Van Den Bos, who made the comment today.
The session appeared to have been unmoderated, despite Ms Gillard's office managing the Facebook account.
Ms Gillard had called the event to talk to constituents about the government's desire to implement the Gonski school funding reforms. She also answered questions on NAPLAN, teacher quality and supporting regional and disadvantaged children.
After answering about a dozen questions over about an hour, Ms Gillard thanked people for their questions and signed off. But once she was no longer answering questions, the session descended into vitriol.
"McPiss off you red-headed bloody McClown," wrote a Nicholas Frampton.
One man, Clifford Cowl, told the Prime Minister, "Get my dinner ready", while "Adam Subwoofer Hodgson" asked: "Are your pubes as radiant, shiny and glorious as mine?"
It is not the first time abusive material has appeared on the Prime Minister's page, with one man calling last week for the government to "bring in anal probing for all boat people and people claiming benefits".
smh.com.au
