It’s election day today, and to put us all at ease on this important day we’ve compiled all our favourite quirky moments from politics across Australia. From the outright funny, to the poor choice of words and unfortunate timing here’s our list to remember it’s not all serious.
The Harold Holt Memorial Swim Centre
Whose idea was this though, like was this deliberately ironic? A year after Australian Prime Minister Harold Holt went for swim at sea and never came back, a pool was opened in Glen Iris, Melbourne that was titled The Harold Holt Memorial Swim Centre. Which seems like a poor choice to name in Harold Holt’s honour, but is delightfully funny, if like me, you too have a dark sense of humour.
The Bloke Who Did a Drive By Insult But Made the PM Laugh
Live on air, Tony Abbot was addressing the press when a driver nearby decided this was his opportunity to let the public know his thoughts on Australian Politicians. The man yelled “You’re all a bunch of w**kers” as he passed by, but it didn’t upset the at time PM Tony Abbot, in fact, it made him laugh.
Independent MP Vomits During Video
Australian Independent NSW MP Jeremy Buckingham jumped down to a nearby river to discuss how poorly it had been looked after and was pleading for support. Sadly though, the stench of the river clearly got to him as Buckingham had to stop to go vomit off camera. It is however only made funnier by the sound of Buckingham off camera letting his guts out, with his fellow speakers laughing and hoping for his recovery.
Whyalla Wipe-out
Former Minister Craig Emerson, broke into song to discuss a carbon tax. It’s the strangest choice I’ve seen yet for a politician. If the current candidates for Prime Minister broke out into song like this more frequently to discuss important policy I’m sure they’d get better audience engagement.
Raw Onion Chomper
Yep, wasn’t going to forget this gem. We see Tony Abbot again, but this time it’s due to his own actions. Whilst out speaking with Australian farmers the Prime Minister decided to pick up a raw onion and eat into like an apple, with it’s skin still on.
The Mullet
Great journalist placement gives @billshortenmp a WICKED mullet. #auspol #mullet pic.twitter.com/MsYewVypVI
— TheSalt (@saltmarsh) December 4, 2014
Just one of those at moments where it all lined up perfectly. When are we going to get another mullet in politics?
Flipping the Bird
In 2024, Canberra politician Elizabeth Lee was caught on camera flipping off a journalist after a brief exchange got slightly heated during the campaign trail. The moment became memed within an inch of its life.
