Christopher Pyne refers to Tony Abbott by his nickname ‘Abbo’ on air

Today Show host Tim Gilbert was stunned on Friday morning when the Leader of the House of Representatives Christopher Pyne referred to Tony Abbott as his nickname ‘Abbo.’

Mr Pyne used the nickname as he was ending a heated debate with Labor member Anthony Albanese about Malcolm Turnbull’s leadership and cuts to the penalty rates during their regular Friday segment ‘Pyne v. Albo’ with Today host Lisa Wilkinson.

‘See you at the next brawl. We await Tony Abbott’s comments during the week,’ Mr Albanese said.

‘It’s Pyne verses Albo, not Pyne verse Abbo,’ Mr Pyne said.

The jarring nickname sounds similar to a racist term for Aboriginals.

Source: Today Show Christopher Pyne Tony Abbott Pyne v. Albo | Daily Mail Online