Another week of our lives stolen by Australian politics, never to be won back.
remember, we still have the option of waiting until the party room meets, barring the door shut from the outside, and just moving on with our lives.
— Colley (@JamColley) August 24, 2018
After a week of what seasoned political reporters suggested was an unprecedented out-of-control bin fire at a goat rodeo, the August 2018 Lib spill is finally over and Scott Morrison has emerged as the next prime minister.
Sorry planet, you'll get no respect from our latest PM. pic.twitter.com/zgCnMakvo5
— John (@John_Hanna) August 24, 2018
Current mood #libspill pic.twitter.com/CVKufgVL0J
— peter k's woah woah woah (@JennaGuillaume) August 24, 2018
I propose we dissolve our current system of government in favour of the then-caricature-but-now-actually-more-sensible portrayal of our nation suggested by the prescient American animated comedy, The Simpsons. #libspill3 pic.twitter.com/C56Atu1UUw
— Adam Liaw (@adamliaw) August 23, 2018
The efforts of Peter Dutton, Tony Abbott and their hard right colleagues to boot Malcolm Turnbull and gain control were for nought, as the treasurer who supported the same policies was appointed.
Rich White Dude From Sydney's Eastern Suburbs Replaces Rich White Dude From Sydney's Eastern Suburbs As PM: https://t.co/sJpnN45wTw
— The Betoota Advocate (@BetootaAdvocate) August 24, 2018
so Peter Dutton blew up the whole government with two challenges in a week and he still didn't get the top job he wanted, now the government continues in the same direction as it would have under Turnbull - what was this all for????
— angus livingston (@anguslivingston) August 24, 2018
Australians reacted in an Australian way: with cynicism and jokes about potatoes.
Peter Dutton: Trained assassin #auspol pic.twitter.com/J7dcNN68T6
— Ben Kimber (@benkimber) August 24, 2018
Exclusive footage of Peter Dutton learning to throw a punch. @TheNTNews #auspol pic.twitter.com/YJD11veoDG
— Craig Dunlop (@dunlop_craig) August 24, 2018
Peter Dutton and Tony Abbott: tactical geniuses
— Greg Jericho (@GrogsGamut) August 24, 2018
“I just want to be alone.” pic.twitter.com/X2qXp6HFQD
— John Birmingham (@JohnBirmingham) August 24, 2018
Dutton trundled along during the week, pushing his softer, smilier side, confident his challenge had the backing of the conservative wing only for them to apparently flee at the last minute.
Can we start using Dutton as verb? I tried to make a cake but I totally Duttoned it.
— Kerrie Murphy (@Kerrie_Murphy) August 24, 2018
All that practice smiling, for nothing.
— Calla Wahlquist (@callapilla) August 24, 2018
On Friday morning Turnbull vacated the leadership and three stood to replace him – Dutton, Morrison and perennial deputy leader Julie Bishop. Bishop was knocked out in the first round.
Morrison won the leadership ballot with 45 votes to Dutton’s 40. For those whose counting skills rival Dutton’s, that’s Not Very Good for Dutton.
The takeaway from this, surely, is that you can't be PM if you can't count. #auspol #spill
— Tim Cox (@timcoxtweets) August 24, 2018
#libspill pic.twitter.com/lf4S3wXVQq
— The AMWU (@theamwu) August 24, 2018
“We have a result, and the winner is Bill Shorten,” joked ABC political commentator Barrie Cassidy with more than a little truth.
Labor have enough material for 100 election commercials
— Tony Shaw 📚 (@Maynardgcrabbs) August 24, 2018
MPs emerged, Dutton said he would be loyal to Morrison, Abbott made a curious statement about still needing to save the government. Morrison said he was off to see the Nats, and he’d say something later.
Strange that the man absolutely no-one wanted to hear from spoke the longest. Thanks Tony #auspol
— Katharine Murphy (@murpharoo) August 24, 2018
Am I the only one who thinks Abbott's comment "we still have a government to save" is a little ominous for Scott Morrison?
— Michael Bachelard (@mbachelard) August 24, 2018
Turnbull thanked his supporters, attacked “insurgents” who sought to bring down his government and media figures who helped them, but otherwise didn’t seem that sad.
Turnbull does not seem torn up about this at all. Looking forward to enjoying his grandchildren and his squillions
— Bridie Jabour (@bkjabour) August 24, 2018
No one believed it was over.
Within seconds of result a message from Dutton camp - “it is not over, fight continues, fuck Scott” #auspol #libspill
— Alice Workman (@workmanalice) August 24, 2018
Well, that was embarrassing. Idiots.
— Samantha Maiden (@samanthamaiden) August 24, 2018
