Tony Abbott says ABC unpatriotic "The ABC seemed to delight in broadcasting allegations by a traitor," Mr Abbott said. The ABC didn't just report what he said, they took the lead in advertising what he said, and that was a deep concern. A political commentator, Michael Gordon, said the "extraordinary" comments were hypocritical and deeply flawed. He pointed out that ABC had just helped to break one of the week's top stories, an expose of union corruption which came just as Mr Abbott revealed plans to launch an inquiry into union misconduct. "Tony Abbott's tirade against the ABC betrays a deeply flawed view of the role of the Australian media," he wrote in The Age. That it comes from a man who has always expressed pride in his past life as a professional journalist makes the outburst all the more puzzling ... This astonishing proposition - that coverage should be somehow skewed by nationalism, or patriotism - sits uncomfortably with the ideals of a robust democracy with a free, fair and fearless media. Labor said the ABC was "there for all Australians" and its coverage had always been tough on the ruling party. "Since it began, every government has been subject to the close scrutiny of the ABC and we should all welcome that," said Tanya Plibersek, Labor's acting leader. The ABC reported Mr Abbott's comments but did not issue a response.