From parliament to parking, Tony Abbott takes charge of Sydney traffic
Instead of directing Australia's policies, the former member for Warringah was seen directing commuters out of a car park in Sydney's CBD.
A video posted to Instagram shows him holding up a boom gate while ushering vehicles out.
Witnesses claim the former PM leapt into action at the sight of the congestion, describing it as a true leader's behaviour.
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News.com.au
12 hours ago
- News.com.au
Former PM Tony Abbott helps direct traffic in Sydney
Former Australian prime minister Tony Abbott has been praised after he was filmed helping to direct traffic in a busy Sydney car park. In a video shared to Instagram, the former Liberal leader was seen holding up a boom gate to allow vehicles to flow through quickly. The 67-year-old former politician – dressed in business attire – waved cars through to the amusement of some drivers who noticed the high-profile Aussie. The driver behind the wheel and passengers were surprised, while witnesses reportedly said they were shocked to see how quickly Mr Abbott leapt into action. The video shared this week has been watched close to half a million times. The former PM responded to the clip jokingly, saying: 'Finally found my calling!' He later shared it to his Instagram Stories. 'Caught in the act,' the 28th leader of Australia wrote. Social media lit up in praise for Mr Abbott. 'He was always a worker. Bushfire CFA volunteer, surf lifesaver, he did a lot more civil service than most pollies,' one user commented. 'I'm impressed. That's leader behaviour,' another added. 'Doing more for the community than Albo,' a third remarked. 'I love Tony. Top bloke. Always puts other first,' a fan wrote. Mr Abbott was the prime minister between 2013 to 2015 but faced internal criticism over his 2014 budget measures, poor opinion polling which led to low approval ratings. A no-confidence motion was filed by the Liberal Party, with his then communications minister Malcolm Turnbull winning a dramatic late-night ballot 54-44. Mr Turnbull was sworn in as the fifth PM in five years, after Labor predecessors switched from Kevin Rudd to Julia Gillard and back to Mr Rudd from 2010 to 2013. Mr Abbott suffered a shock loss in the 2019 election when his seat of Warringah, in Sydney's Northern Beaches, was won by independent Zali Steggall. The electorate had been held by the Liberals since 1922. After leaving politics, he was appointed an adviser on the United Kingdom's Board of Trade by then British PM Boris Johnson to help shape post-Brexit trade policy. In 2023 he joined Global Warming Policy Foundation, a UK-based think tank, which focuses on climate and energy policy. Mr Abbott was a sceptic on global warming, previously saying in late 2023 that human-induced climate change is 'ahistorical and implausible'. More recently he was spotted on the federal election campaign trail, trying to convince voters to vote for Liberal candidate for Spence, Daniel Wild, who later lost to Labor. The former politician recently took aim at Welcome to Country ceremonies, describing the practice as 'grating' and 'virtue signalling'. 'They suggest that the country belongs more to some people than others,' he said to 2GB, following the Anzac Day controversy in Melbourne where multiple men booed during the Welcome to Country portion of a Dawn Service. 'If we start acknowledging particular groups, why do we single out Indigenous elders as opposed to early settlers, post-war migrants, our war veterans, or even teachers and nurses? Everyone is making their own contribution to Australia.'
The Advertiser
a day ago
- The Advertiser
'That's leader behaviour': Former PM spotted taking on a surprising job
Drivers in a busy Sydney car park were surprised to find an unusual guide for exiting traffic - former prime minister Tony Abbott. Mr Abbott was filmed holding the boom gate of an underground car park open with one hand as he waved cars through with the other. The Pitt Street car park was reportedly battling congestion when the former PM decided to assist. It is unclear when the footage was filmed, but since was shared to the Instagram account Humans of Eastwood Daily, it quickly garnered thousands of likes and comments. "From budgie smuggler to car smuggler, a man of many talents," one person replied. Another said she was impressed, "that's leader behaviour". "He was always a worker. Bushfire CFA volunteer, surf lifesaver, he did a lot more civil service than most pollies," said another. Mr Abbott is well known for jumping in at times of crisis, in a personal capacity, including volunteering with the NSW Rural Fire Service. During the Black Summer bushfires he was seen working to save homes. Despite the good deed, others could not look past the 28th prime minister's other endeavours. "Remember the time he ate an onion," one quipped. Another said it was the "best thing Tony Abbott's done". READ MORE: 'Political folklore': Tony Abbott still has an eye for a good-looking onion Drivers in a busy Sydney car park were surprised to find an unusual guide for exiting traffic - former prime minister Tony Abbott. Mr Abbott was filmed holding the boom gate of an underground car park open with one hand as he waved cars through with the other. The Pitt Street car park was reportedly battling congestion when the former PM decided to assist. It is unclear when the footage was filmed, but since was shared to the Instagram account Humans of Eastwood Daily, it quickly garnered thousands of likes and comments. "From budgie smuggler to car smuggler, a man of many talents," one person replied. Another said she was impressed, "that's leader behaviour". "He was always a worker. Bushfire CFA volunteer, surf lifesaver, he did a lot more civil service than most pollies," said another. Mr Abbott is well known for jumping in at times of crisis, in a personal capacity, including volunteering with the NSW Rural Fire Service. During the Black Summer bushfires he was seen working to save homes. Despite the good deed, others could not look past the 28th prime minister's other endeavours. "Remember the time he ate an onion," one quipped. Another said it was the "best thing Tony Abbott's done". READ MORE: 'Political folklore': Tony Abbott still has an eye for a good-looking onion Drivers in a busy Sydney car park were surprised to find an unusual guide for exiting traffic - former prime minister Tony Abbott. Mr Abbott was filmed holding the boom gate of an underground car park open with one hand as he waved cars through with the other. The Pitt Street car park was reportedly battling congestion when the former PM decided to assist. It is unclear when the footage was filmed, but since was shared to the Instagram account Humans of Eastwood Daily, it quickly garnered thousands of likes and comments. "From budgie smuggler to car smuggler, a man of many talents," one person replied. Another said she was impressed, "that's leader behaviour". "He was always a worker. Bushfire CFA volunteer, surf lifesaver, he did a lot more civil service than most pollies," said another. Mr Abbott is well known for jumping in at times of crisis, in a personal capacity, including volunteering with the NSW Rural Fire Service. During the Black Summer bushfires he was seen working to save homes. Despite the good deed, others could not look past the 28th prime minister's other endeavours. "Remember the time he ate an onion," one quipped. Another said it was the "best thing Tony Abbott's done". READ MORE: 'Political folklore': Tony Abbott still has an eye for a good-looking onion Drivers in a busy Sydney car park were surprised to find an unusual guide for exiting traffic - former prime minister Tony Abbott. Mr Abbott was filmed holding the boom gate of an underground car park open with one hand as he waved cars through with the other. The Pitt Street car park was reportedly battling congestion when the former PM decided to assist. It is unclear when the footage was filmed, but since was shared to the Instagram account Humans of Eastwood Daily, it quickly garnered thousands of likes and comments. "From budgie smuggler to car smuggler, a man of many talents," one person replied. Another said she was impressed, "that's leader behaviour". "He was always a worker. Bushfire CFA volunteer, surf lifesaver, he did a lot more civil service than most pollies," said another. Mr Abbott is well known for jumping in at times of crisis, in a personal capacity, including volunteering with the NSW Rural Fire Service. During the Black Summer bushfires he was seen working to save homes. Despite the good deed, others could not look past the 28th prime minister's other endeavours. "Remember the time he ate an onion," one quipped. Another said it was the "best thing Tony Abbott's done". READ MORE: 'Political folklore': Tony Abbott still has an eye for a good-looking onion
Sky News AU
a day ago
- Sky News AU
From parliament to parking, Tony Abbott takes charge of Sydney traffic
Former prime minister Tony Abbott has once again offered his service to the country. Instead of directing Australia's policies, the former member for Warringah was seen directing commuters out of a car park in Sydney's CBD. A video posted to Instagram shows him holding up a boom gate while ushering vehicles out. Witnesses claim the former PM leapt into action at the sight of the congestion, describing it as a true leader's behaviour.
