Abbott takes time out to speak to bystanders

The last thing Mick and Kathy Townsend expected when they peered through the barbed wire fence at Broome Airport on was to meet Prime Minister Tony Abbott.

But to their amazement, that is exactly what happened to the elderly beef farmers from NSW.

On a visit to the town with Federal Liberal Durack MP Melissa Price on Saturday afternoon, Mr Abbott looked towards the perimeter where the couple were standing as he walked from the stairs of the RAAF jet.

Surprising and perhaps panicking his entourage of security men and political minders, he walked across the tarmac and through a patch of weeds to speak to them through the wire.

The Townsends were meant to be heading to Fitzroy Crossing at the time but decided to delay their trip when they heard a rumour that Mr Abbott was arriving.

“We have come all this way just to make sure you do the right thing by us,” Mr Townsend said to Mr Abbott.

“Good on you and all the best, hope you have a good trip,” Mr Abbott replied.

When asked how he felt now that he had met the Prime Minister the retired farmer said: “It has made my day mate”.

“I wanted to ask him about access to the live cattle markets but never got around to it. Live cattle exports mean a lot to us but he is a busy guy – he didn’t come all this way just to talk with me.”