First, there was the depressing revelation that a menu, printed for an opposition party fundraising dinner, described a dish of quail named after the country's first female prime minister Julia Gillard - a redhead - thus: "small breasts, huge thighs and a big red box".
Political reporters, who have seen some highly grubby antics in their time, declared it one of the lowest moments in the history of Australian politics.
Then came the news that more than 100 members of the Australian defence force had been caught circulating "demeaning, explicit and profane" emails targeting female members of the forces.
It echoed the scandal from 2011 when one cadet filmed himself having sex with a female colleague - without her knowledge - and streamed it live on Skype.
Finally, there was the sleazy questioning of the Prime Minister by a Perth talkback radio host over the sexuality of her boyfriend. Why? Because Tim Matheison - a divorcee with three adult children - is a hairdresser. Would he have asked an unmarried male prime minister if his girlfriend was a lesbian? It seems unlikely that he would have dared. » | Bonnie Malkin in Sydney | Friday, June 14, 2013
