A seismic shift occurred in Australian politics this weekend, with the Coalition government swept from power by the Labor opposition and a wave of independents and Greens MPs.
But it wasn’t all serious business. Here are a few of the lighter moments from the climax of the election campaign you might have missed.
Jenny Morrison’s intriguing fashion choice
As Scott Morrison conceded defeat on Saturday night, his wife, Jenny, stood beside him at Liberal HQ wearing a striking pale blue – some even suspected teal – dress.
It was an awkward choice to say the least, with a tsunami of teal independent candidates unseating many moderate Liberals across Wentworth, Goldstein, Koyoong, Warringah, North Sydney and Mackellar.
But even more intriguing was the choice of designer. The $929 item was called the “Celebration” dress and sold by fashion label Carla Zampatti. Carla Zampatti was the late mother of Allegra Spender – one of the many teal candidates whose victory saw Liberal MP Dave Sharma booted from his seat in Wentworth.
Making things even more awkward, Victorian Senator Jane Hume admitted on an election broadcast she had personally “boycotted [wearing] Carla Zampatti the entire campaign”.
Jenny Morrison looking resplendent in … light teal … Carla Zampatti? pic.twitter.com/lY3NgdzFVY
— Jenna Clarke (@jennamclarke) May 21, 2022
Hey, Jane Hume, seems Jenny Morrison didn’t feel the need to boycott Carla Zampatti. (Aside: it’s called the “Celebration” dress.) #auspol pic.twitter.com/VuGMR2u71z
— Melissa Singer (@melly_singer) May 21, 2022
Hanson ‘will survive’ Covid but may lose her Senate seat
Pauline Hanson could be a surprise casualty of this year’s federal election, with the final Queensland Senate seat sitting on a knife’s edge.
Running on an anti-vaccine mandate platform, Hanson’s party also failed to gain the momentum she’d hoped for in the lower house – with not one of her 151 candidates picking up a seat.
Earlier this week the unvaccinated politician attracted global attention after posting a bizarre announcement that she had contracted Covid-19. “I look forward to disappointing all of those who hope that I drop dead,” Hanson wrote.
dude i can’t wait to cover australian politics w @ididathing1 on friday what the absolute fuck is going on down there?! https://t.co/ueSu2x4CCi
— hasanabi (@hasanthehun) May 19, 2022
Dave Sharma deletes Twitter
Independent Allegra Spender said on Sunday morning she was yet to hear from Member for Wentworth Dave Sharma after her staggering victory against him.
And now it looks like the rest of us won’t be hearing much from him either as it appears he’s quietly deactivated his Twitter account …
Says everything about @DaveSharma that he has disappeared, not contacted @spenderallegra to concede, and deleted his twitter account. Says everything. pic.twitter.com/XGzDww4UEs
— Jacob Berah (@JacobBerah) May 22, 2022
French minister sasses Morrison
Outgoing French foreign affairs minister Jean-Yves Le Drian has absolutely savaged Scott Morrison, claiming the prime minister’s defeat “suits” him “very well” after the scrapping of the $90bn submarine deal.
The minister delivered a stinging critique of Morrison’s behaviour towards France, describing his actions as being “of a brutality, of a cynicism, and may I say a notorious incompetence”. Yikes.
Farewell Katherine Deves
Katherine Deves’ comments about transgender Australians have sparked a firestorm of criticism from moderate Liberal MPs and dominated headlines for months.
Despite suffering a substantial defeat against independent Zali Steggall, the Liberal candidate for Warringah has promised she is “not going anywhere”. But not everyone feels the same …
So looks like Kath Deves' pronouns are was/were
— Fourier Transgirl (@HowVeryEri) May 21, 2022
“When they thought I couldn’t withstand the storm…that I am the storm”
— Ned Balme (@NedBalmeLives) May 22, 2022
Deves avoided questions for weeks and immediately after losing goes on a panel show that showers her in false praise. Not exactly storm chasing. pic.twitter.com/nSTohLhzfq
The smiling Greens man
As Greens leader Adam Bandt spoke to ABC News last night, viewers couldn’t help noticing the volunteers in the background who looked as if they were supremely happy to be there.
Shoutout to this man for holding his smile for this long #AusPol2022 #AusVotes22 #ausvotes #auspol #Greens #Labour pic.twitter.com/GcXruW5e2Q
— Daniel (@danelifue) May 21, 2022
The man in black at the greens event "why did I choose a fun pose, now I have to hold it while @AdamBandt talks" #AusPol2022 pic.twitter.com/MsVcqR6fg3
— Kenny Brea (@KennyBrea1) May 21, 2022
Sky News struggles through election night
Twitter users who switched over to Sky News’ election coverage last night were amused by the “grim” atmosphere as panellists announced Labor as the clear winner.
We’re not exactly sure who put the “sad face” TikTok filter on Paul Murray last night but what an absolute mood.
The panel at sky news were all rushed to Hospital @xskinn pic.twitter.com/JQmjYseYpf
— luis neto (@luineco) May 21, 2022
When mum says no xbox before dinner pic.twitter.com/OEDnALXrYZ
— cosmic jester (@cosmicjester) May 21, 2022
The broadcaster also attracted criticism for allowing billionaire Clive Palmer to make Trump-inspired baseless accusations of electoral fraud on national TV this morning. Zero stars.
Unsurprising but still disappointing that Sky News broadcast Clive Palmer making unproven accusations of electoral fraud. pic.twitter.com/0Q9AKperkc
— dr cam wilson (monkey pox-ology phd) (@cameronwilson) May 22, 2022
ABC’s tech difficulties
If there’s one thing that unites Australians it’s our love for ABC election analyst Antony Green. But even Green – known for being calm and cautious – was frazzled by last night’s election, declaring at one point that his “brain” was “broken”.
Green was also caught off guard when ABC presenters threw to him with a breaking news update when he had nothing of the sort to offer.
This clip has meme potential pic.twitter.com/nhVZidNeJy
— Matilda Boseley (@MatildaBoseley) May 21, 2022
Toto Albanese becomes top dog
Anthony Albanese’s dog Toto was snapped wearing an “Albo for PM” bandana as she waited patiently outside a polling booth for her owner on Saturday.
Whatever your political leanings, you have to hand it to Toto for being the cutest pooch in Australian politics.
Congratulations to Toto Albanese on becoming Top Dog of Australia, and for being the goodest girl. #auspol pic.twitter.com/R8iCgGIoY0
— Sarah B. (@bartsnz) May 21, 2022
Anthony Albanese’s dog Toto waits patiently for his owner to vote pic.twitter.com/GwThcURF0i
— Maddison Connaughton (@madconnaughton) May 21, 2022
‘No hard feelings’
OK this was the day before the election, but indulge us. When Scott Morrison spotted Guardian Australia’s political reporter Paul Karp at a Western Australia campaign stop , he offered him a special kind of democracy sausage.
“There’s veggie ones here too, Paul,” the PM told Karp – who is not a vegetarian, just a Guardian journalist.
Scott Morrison to me: "There's veggie ones here too, Paul."
— Paul Karp (@Paul_Karp) May 20, 2022
No hard feelings then, I guess.#auspol #ausvotes pic.twitter.com/jE8SZFcNIj
