'Politics can be brutal': Former and current politicians react to #libspill

Former Prime Ministers Julia Gillard and Kevin Rudd have congratulated Australia’s next leader after Monday night’s ballot.

A bag of onions is seen outside Australian Parliament House

A bag of onions is seen outside Australian Parliament House, in Canberra, Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2015. Source: AAP

Malcolm Turnbull will be sworn in as Prime Minister later today after defeating Tony Abbott in a party room ballot, 54-44 votes.

Former Australian leaders lined up to congratulate him on social media.
Meanwhile, current politicians got in on the online fun with Labor’s Sam Dastyari joining the #putoutyouronions trend.

The hashtag trended nationwide, while #libspill hit a peak of 1200 tweets a minute during Mr Turnbull’s afternoon press conference.

Greens leader Richard Di Natale's family had to break the news to their children that the country had a new Prime Minister elect.

Tweeting on Tuesday, Dr Di Natale posted that his children had asked "is it daddy?"
His colleague Adam Bandt also tweeted about the "new PM".

"A chance for a new direction on climate change?" he posted.

"Or has he made promises to deniers to get the gig?"

Independent senator Jacqui Lambie said she was "wrapped" [sic] at the change, saying "as long as the policies change along with the leader then there's a good chance we'll get Australia back on its feet".

Fellow independent John Madigan made calls for an election.

"The new prime minister may have the support of the party room but he doesn't have a mandate," he said.

"Now it's time to put it to the people."

At a state level, Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews congratulated Mr Turnbull on social media.

Mr Andrews also acknowleged the outgoing leader.

"No doubt we had our differences but best wishes to and his family on what must be a difficult night," he tweeted.
NSW Premier Mike Baird also sent his best wishes to his "mate" Mr Abbott, saying "he will be hurting".

"Politics can be brutal," he said.

"I’ve known Tony Abbott for close to 15 years and I am proud to call him a mate. He will be hurting. So will his wonderful wife Margie and his girls. As their friend, I hurt with them."

Outside of the political realm, Virgin boss Richard Branson congratulated Mr Turnbull while media mogul Rupert Murdoch also weighed in, describing Mr Abbott as a “decent man”.



Share
Published 15 September 2015 7:49am
Updated 15 September 2015 9:02am
Source: SBS

Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Download our apps
SBS News
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
An overview of the day's top stories from SBS News
Interviews and feature reports from SBS News
Your daily ten minute finance and business news wrap with SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves.
A daily five minute news wrap for English learners and people with disability
Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS
SBS World News

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service
Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world