The funniest political moments of 2015 sure make us smile

Remember right back to the beginning of 2015, when we Aussies and Kiwis lived in a different world.  It was Tony Abbott’s Kingdom here in Australia, and the New Zealand flag still confidently donned the union jack.  Before we knew it, it was Australia Day.  The sun was shining, the bushfires raging and what happened next took us all by surprise.  Instead of selecting some worthwhile everyday Aussie for our nation’s highest award of 2015, our Prime Minister chose to celebrate none other than Prince Phillip, Duke of Edinburgh, and whole country rolled their eyes.  Like he needs another title.   It was the Captains Call of the year and one of first nails in his political coffin.

Prince Philip’s knighthood approved by Tony Abbott’s only other knight, Angus Houston | Herald Sun http://t.co/TgqaojvYFp

— Stuart Tomlinson (@virgotweet) May 4, 2015

Backing up in second place, for fine memories was none other than our Prime Minister of the moment again, Mr Abbott who suggested that Aboriginal Australians who lived in remote communities were doing so as a “lifestyle choice”.  Not popular that comment. Of equal popularity was Joe Hockey’s comment that first home buyers shouldn’t expect government help, but instead should “get a good job” that “pays good money”.   And in trying to reclaim his popularity after several months of agonising missteps, Tony Abbott went to a trick Bob Hawke was better known for, throwing back a beer in 6 seconds to cheers from pub patrons.  Not exactly the 1985 that Hawke did it in, the media furore I thin k even took him by surprise.  Was this the right behaviour for a modern day Prime Minister?  Everyone had an opinion. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=77_gup4s3rM From here the politics of Australia got even more entertaining.  Barnaby Joyce decided that Johnny Depp’s dogs were a danger to society after arriving on his Private jet and failing to be checked through quarantine correctly.  He made the issue a massive international debate that turned into the politician and the movie star calling each other names in the international media the funniuest of which included Depp calling Joyce a sweaty big gutted man… over two dogs that no doubt had never got dirty and were no bigger than a handbag.  Hardly a national security risk.  And we’re still spending money on them, trying to get Depp’s wife back to face our courts…. Never going to happen!

Johnny Depp threatens @Barnaby_Joyce if wife is sentenced to jail for illegally bringing dogs into Australia. #9news pic.twitter.com/LWxk8a970E — Nine News LA (@9NewsLA) September 12, 2015

Then, Clive Palmer… do we really need to go here?  Yes, 2015 would not have been the same without Clive.  After Jackie Lambie and Glenn Lazarus left him, he was served a triple blow when Jeff the Dinosaur was burned unceremoniously to the ground.  Palmer’s political antics made him few friends this year, but the media have loved him.

He has stormed out on not one, nor two, but three major interviews, leaving everyone shaking their head. He vowed not to support last years budget and is possibly one of the reasons Tony Abbott and Joe Hockey didn’t make it to 2016 in politics.

Then, we must remember when Bronny flew right into choppergate, catching a $5000 helicopter just down the road to a Liberal Party Fundraiser – no self-interest here!  He flagrant disregard for public money gave the media fodder for months of entertainment and effectively ended her high profile position as Speaker of the house as all anyone could talk about was Mrs Bishop hanging from a chopper in memes circulating the Internet.  A sad way to say goodbye to an incredibly experienced politician but the reality of the media today.

Then, and can you believe we’re only halfway through the year and Mr Abbott was still trying to raise his approval ratings, this time by eating an onion that caused the Internet to break.

  This onion became something of a legend when in September Mr Abbot was overthrown by Malcolm Turnbull, and the whole country put their onions out to say farewell to our controversial Prime Minister.

Riverdale Road, Hawthorn East #putoutyouronions pic.twitter.com/2WrzDJNrDu — Dominic Collins (@pulauchristmas) September 17, 2015

Then it was Malcolm Turnbull’s moment and Bill Shorten’s worst nightmare came true..  The tale of 2016 begins here.  Which Political manoeuvres do you think made 2015 most entertaining?