Prime Minister Abbott has used the word holocaust to describe the job losses in defence industries under the former Labor Government.
Mr Abbott used the line against the Opposition during Question Time on Thursday, trying to argue that his government had better defence procurement policies than the former Labor government.
"There was a holocaust of jobs in Defence industries under members opposite," he said, repeating the "holocaust of jobs".
He then apologised and withdrew the comment.
Experienced Press Gallery journalists all expressed immediate dismay at the analogy.
Question time in the sewer today
We are all in the sewer, but some of us are looking up at the gutter.
It was a slip of the tounge but the PM will regret using this form of words there was a "Holocaust of jobs in Defence industries".
In #QT @TonyAbbottMHR described ADF job cuts under Labor as a 'jobs holocaust'. Unhinged stuff and lacking in decency and restraint.
Somebody should shirtfront the PM for that holocaust line. No suppository of wisdom saying it. Am I critical? You bet you are, you bet I am.
And Greens Senator Scott Ludlam was left dumbstruck.
some days i loathe this place