After eight weeks of the dullest election campaign in recent memory, the past 72 hours have featured some surprisingly entertaining political moments – here are six of the best.
Sausage sizzle gate
The nation was in uproar on Saturday when pictures of Bill Shorten eating a sausage sandwich at Strathfield North Public School hit social media. Why? Because instead of starting at the end, the Opposition Leader bit right into the middle – cue country-wide hysteria and literally thousands of incredulous tweets.
Suck on that!
After seven and a half hours of broadcasting, a slightly delirious Leigh Sales’ had some choice words for her predecessor Kerry O’Brien on Saturday night. It was Sales’ first time heading up the ABC’s Federal Election coverage, and as the marathon broadcast ticked over into record-breaking territory, Sales quipped: “We’ve broken the record – suck on that Kerry O’Brien!”
Hanson’s halal tantrum
It was an innocent enough offer – Labor senator Sam Dastyari promising to treat Pauline Hanson to a “halal snack pack” in Sydney’s western suburbs – but it was enough to send the controversial future senator completely loco. “Not happening,” she snapped, before going on an anti-Islam rant quoting the dubious statistic that “98 per cent of Australians” are opposed to halal certification.
Alan Jones lets loose
Never one to shy away from a fight, shock jock Alan Jones got well and truly stuck in on election night, having a spectacular barney with Queensland LNP Senator James McGrath. Jones, a staunch Tony Abbott supported, accused McGrath, who was instrumental in Malcolm Turnbull’s leadership coup, of being “the captain of the bed-wetters”. McGrath returned fire, declaring Jones to be “a grub”.
Pauline’s interview ambush
Bill Shorten was probably expecting some hijinks during his Kiis FM this morning, but not a live ambush from controversial senator-elect Pauline Hanson. Shorten had been chatting to hosts Sophie Monk and Matty Acton for just minutes when they connected him to a surprise caller – Hanson. The ensuing conversation was so uncomfortable it let Monk to compare it to an “awkward Tinder date”.
Donkey votes
Many Australians took informal voting to a new level this election, adding everything from fast food orders to sketches of male genitalia to their ballot papers. While donkey voting is a slap in the face to democracy, some of these made for very entertaining viewing!
