Australia's Abbott sorry to childless PM over new row

SYDNEY (AFP) - Australian opposition leader Tony Abbott apologised on Tuesday after saying the government was inexperienced when it comes to having babies, seen as a dig at childless Prime Minister Julia Gillard.

Mr Abbott, recently accused by Ms Gillard of being sexist and a misogynist, made the comment when referring to cuts in a baby bonus scheme announced as part of the government's mid-year budget review.

Mr Abbott said scaling back the payment to cut costs and return the budget to surplus revealed a lack of "experience" within the government of raising children.

In response, Ms Gillard, who was once described by a member of Mr Abbott's Liberal party as "deliberately barren", said: "I think Mr Abbott can explain what he meant by that line."