Abbott backed after fallen soldier gaffe

Tony Abbott. Photo / Getty Images

CANBERRA - Senior MPs from opposite sides of politics have defended Opposition Leader Tony Abbott following edited television footage of him apparently describing the death of an Australian soldier as "shit happens".

The footage, obtained by Channel Seven under freedom of information laws, was filmed by a Defence cameraman in Afghanistan after 28-year-old Lance Corporal Jared MacKinney was shot dead by the Taleban last year.

MacKinney was Australia's 21st death in the unpopular 10-year war.

Last week the toll rose with the death of combat engineer Corporal Richard Atkinson, killed by an improvised explosive.

Yesterday, as the row over Abbott's remarks continued, the Sydney Morning Herald said defence planners had drawn up secret plans to reduce troop numbers in Afghanistan, potentially driving a wedge between Australia and the United States.

It cited anonymous sources as saying the drawdown would almost certainly begin this year, marking a significant shift in Australia's commitment to the war.

But Defence Minister Stephen Smith said the nation was on track to wind down its Afghan Army mentoring and training mission over the next two to four years - but not in the next 12 months to two years.

"So frankly this report, which is splashed in a couple of newspapers, was a surprise, and we don't see any basis for it," he told Sky News.

Abbott's remarks were made in the context of increasing criticism not only of Australia's involvement, but also of the conduct of its operations.

The Defence Force is at present investigating allegations that MacKinney died because troops had not been provided with sufficient intelligence or firepower, including an email from another Digger in which a friend was told: "The army has let us down mate and I am disgusted."

The footage obtained by Channel Seven showed Abbott during a discussion with then-Australian theatre commander Major General John Cantwell and the American province team commander, Colonel James Creighton, in which the allegations were raised.

Creighton had said that soldiers' deaths could not be prevented even with the best military equipment, to which Abbott replied: "Nah, it's pretty obvious that um ... sometimes shit happens, doesn't it?"

Cantwell replied: "It certainly does."

When confronted by Channel Seven, a clearly disturbed Abbott said reporter Mark Riley had not been present during the conversation and accused him of taking the remark out of context. "I would never seek to make light of the death of an Australian soldier," he said.

"I was doing my best to support the soldier I was discussing with them. "Look, a soldier has died and you shouldn't be trying to turn this into a subsequent media circus."

After remaining silent during further questioning, he said: "I've given you the response you deserve."

Abbott called MacKinney's widow Beckie - who gave birth to her third child hours after her husband's funeral - to apologise.

"No one sacrifices more for our country than a soldier's widow," he said in a statement later. "It was an honour to speak with her again. I thoroughly discussed the Channel Seven report with her and don't believe there are any issues between us. That's where this matter should now rest."

Beckie MacKinney said in a statement that she considered the matter closed."Tony and I spoke at length and I fully accept that he was quoted out of context in the television news."

"As far as we, Jared's family, are concerned there is no issue, the matter is over, and we will be making no further comment,"she said.

MacKinney's father told ABC radio that a comment such as Abbott's would offend any parent, but that he had probably spoken without giving it reasonable thought."I felt it was irrelevant and unnecessary and I'm just choosing to ignore it because that's the best way for me to sort of deal with it."

Smith said he did not believe Abbott would deliberately say anything that was flippant or insulting or critical about an Australian soldier, an Australian soldier's death or the nation's contribution in Afghanistan.

Trade Minister Craig Emerson said he did not believe "for a moment" that Abbott intended any offence.