DEPUTY Prime Minister Julia Gillard’s partner, Tim Mathieson, chucked a sickie yesterday, missing his first public appearance as a health ambassador…
Mr Mathieson’s credentials to fill an ambassador’s role are unclear, given he has no medical or health expertise.
Staff for Ms Gillard further confused the situation yesterday when they told The Australian Mr Mathieson had not been able to attend the event in Melbourne because he was busy selling hair care products in country Victoria. However, further inquires revealed Mr Mathieson no longer worked for the hair care product company.

HEALTH Minister Nicola Roxon has been asked to explain her ignorance of sacked men’s health ambassador Warwick Marsh’s attitudes to homosexuality after it was revealed she shared a podium with him four years ago at a forum where anti-gay views were aired.
Ms Roxon yesterday announced she had dumped the Fatherhood Foundation founder from the list of honorary men’s health ambassadors named on Tuesday after Mr Marsh failed to repudiate “extremely offensive comments” about gay people.