Asides
BIFFO: Turnbull staffer Tony Barry accused of bullying and pushing Ten TV producer
What kind of trouble has Tony Barry got himself into now? The Australian reports:
OPPOSITION Leader Malcolm Turnbull’s senior media advisor allegedly bullied and pushed a television producer in Ten’s Canberra press gallery today.
They eventually got over their coyness over naming the lad as he came out with a mea culpa. Their later article reveals pugnacious Tony has a bit of form in the bare-knuckles confrontation with journo stakes:
MALCOLM Turnbull’s media adviser Tony Barry has apologised over a physical altercation today with a Ten Network producer in an office in the federal parliamentary press gallery.
Mr Barry told The Australian Online: “For a moment my normally sunny disposition was interrupted by an uncharacteristic burst of bad temper for which I have apologised.”
Mr Barry and Stephen Spencer clashed over questions on stimulus payments and an article written by Mr Spencer’s wife, Sydney Daily Telegraph journalist Sue Dunlevy.
The network’s political editor Paul Bongiorno lodged a formal written complaint with Mr Turnbull.
Mr Spencer is himself a former leader of the opposition’s press secretary. He worked for Simon Crean during his time as Labor leader.
Mr Barry is known as a tough veteran of Liberal politics.
He worked as deputy director of the Liberals’ Victorian division as an assistant to the party’s no-nonsense pollster, Mark Textor and for the combative shadow special minister of state, Michael Ronaldson, before joining Mr Turnbull’s office.
There he works alongside Chris Kenny and Tony Parkinson, known for their aggressive approach to the media as press secretaries to former foreign minister Alexander Downer.
It is understood Mr Barry was involved in a heated clash with ABC journalist Emma Griffiths earlier this week.
Ms Griffiths’s colleagues intervened to stop that dispute.
Mr Bongiorno told The Australian Online Mr Barry’s apology to him and Mr Spencer had been accepted.
Discussion
11 comments for “BIFFO: Turnbull staffer Tony Barry accused of bullying and pushing Ten TV producer”
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GLB Barry living up to his name.
Alan “Angry” Andersen had similar problems.
“tough veteran” = “thug”
I liked it when GLB used to work for me, we used to get “tough” on each other.
Eff off! You guys are all fucking cu#ts!
Except for you, Chrissy.
Tony barry is a fat bullying bastard. I know he is a regular source for you Landy but you should really cut him loose.
I will defeat J-Rat.
I have Cossie’s support, so I will win. I will crush you JA, and then I will reunite the Faction. It will be renamed the Costello faction, after the greatest Australian politician never to be PM.
I am an incompetent sh!t.
I may be a violent moron but I’m banging that hot piece of tail Sabine Wolff, go to to love those Liberal Student girls.