CANBERRA, Australia—Australia's opposition leader has apologized to Prime Minister Julia Gillard for suggesting that her government is inexperienced in family policy. Some saw Abbot's comment as a cheap shot at the prime minister, who has no children.

Tony Abbott's apology came two weeks after Australia's first woman prime minister branded him a misogynist in an extraordinary attack in a speech to Parliament.

Gillard took offense Tuesday when Abbott attacked the government's announcement that it was reducing the amount of public money parents received for every newborn.

The incident has reminded some of a furor created five years ago when one of Abbot's colleagues said Gillard did not deserve a leadership role because she had decided not to have children.