No-one does political commentary like the Aussies, so now that Scotty from marketing is out of the top seat and Anthony 'Albo' Albanese is in, we've compiled some of the top social media memes from the Australian election.
Photo:
While it's not yet clear what type of coalition Australia's Labor party might put together this term, yesterday's sweeping change in political favour across the Tasman resoundingly voted the Liberal-National coalition out.
Throughout the election the parties and their supporters increasingly made deliberate use of memes and social media in their campaigns, hoping to strike viral gold.
Images of the recognisable figureheads Anthony Albanese and Scott Morrison became common currency for traded jibes, stock photo library models promising a utopian future were paraded about in party advertising, and pop culture references were aimed at generating a flush of nostalgia and affection.
One from the punters, ringing in the new champs as the results came through:
Remember to turn your clocks 70 years forward on Sunday - as we exit the 1950s #auspol #ausvotes
— Schtang (@Schtang) May 20, 2022
Satirical website The Chaser had Anthony Albanese's victory celebrations covered:
Loose Unit Albo spends election eve doing donuts outside ScoMo's house pic.twitter.com/CO2PEZxsD5
— The Chaser (@chaser) May 20, 2022
Will Anthony Albanese' meme stock rise above Scott Morrison's many meme-able moments, during his term as PM?
The Albo memes have already begun pic.twitter.com/9iVQd2tg4h
— Avid Commentator (@AvidCommentator) May 21, 2022
Best movie quote meme, used in this meme by the Liberals: "Mama always said voting Labor was like a box of chocolates. You never know what tax you're gonna get'.
Photo: Supplied/ Facebook - Australian Liberal Party
Best capture of an awkward moment: a photographer on the campaign trail caught this series of shots as a safety sign reading "If you mess up, 'fess up" was covered up with a safety vest shortly before Scott Morrison posed for the camera at a factory in Townsville:
A sign at a factory in Townsville. #auspol #ausvotes pic.twitter.com/U23wTBF6rE
— Matt Roberts (@ACTcameramatt) April 26, 2022
The most viral moment, has been reproduced in so many iterations that we've gone back to the source for Scott Morrison's accidental rugby-style tackle of a child on Wednesday, during a soccer game in Tasmania.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison crashes into a child during soccer training in Tasmania on campaign trail - ABC News https://t.co/RZ3CJR4O4W
— Zilla Gordon (@ZillaGordon) May 18, 2022
The Liberals "Hole in your Budget, dear Labor" surely would be recognised as the catchiest jingo, though maybe not beloved:
There's a hole in your budget, dear Labor https://t.co/x4Zlbdvf2g #auspol #ausvotes #ausvotes22
— Liberal Party (@LiberalAus) May 8, 2022
Best cross-Tasman meme, with Labor making use of the Andy Serkis-inspired Lord of the Rings template:
Morrison is keeping his precious ($1 an hour pay rise) away from Australian workers.
— Australian Labor (@AustralianLabor) May 12, 2022
He's being tricksy. pic.twitter.com/c88KDAzzUb
The long game: 2021 Australian of the Year and campaigner against sexual abuse Grace Tame was earlier this year lambasted for not smiling in her meeting with the PM Scott Morrison, but did have a grin posing with Anthony Albanese after the Coalition's defeat:
A grateful nation is crying with you.
— Grace Tame (@TamePunk) May 21, 2022
And who said I didn’t smile at the prime minister? pic.twitter.com/srvgZYU40z
A swipe at election coverage:
BREAKING: Rupert Murdoch has lost the Australian Federal Election
— The Chaser (@chaser) May 21, 2022
During the election a fair few pundits recycled some traditional greats from ScoMo's time in office, with some dusting off their for-charity fundraiser Merry Crisis t-shirts by Scott Marsh for their visit to the polling booths:
Hawaiian-themed mural of Scott Morrison by artist Scott Marsh pops up in Sydney on Tuesday.
— Advocatticus Finch (@advocatticus) December 24, 2019
via @scottie.marsh
.
. . Merry Crisis from our fearless leader... .
.
.#aloha #climatecrisis #bushfires #merrycrisis #globalwarming #scomo #getyourheadputofthesandupeanut #sippen… pic.twitter.com/1rsYh5b1Gu
The Labor party made a direct play for votes from people with current Covid-19 infections, reminding them they could vote and isolate at the same time.
Just tested positive to COVID?
— Australian Labor (@AustralianLabor) May 19, 2022
Your vote is powerful.
Don't let COVID stop you from voting @ScottMorrisonMP
out.
It's time for a better future.https://t.co/O9kk0cHHJH pic.twitter.com/ZGheOlph7b
Strangest tweet of the election - might have been hard to decide, but One Nation's "We will not shut up and eat the bugs" was a head-scratcher.
One Nation will protect your right to choose your diet, whether it’s meat, veggies or any combination.
— Malcolm Roberts (@MRobertsQLD) May 9, 2022
We oppose the Food Summit’s recommendations of restricting the world to just one bite of red meat per day. We will not “shut up and eat the bugs”. pic.twitter.com/SH6IxqQKyL
