It Was Fun While It Lasted: Tony Abbott Bests James Mathison In Warringah

For a minute there, the nation indulged itself in some fantasy. What bloody if a former host of Australian Idol, in the space of a few short weeks, could amass the political capital to knock a former Prime Minister from his rusted-on perch on politics?

That was the daydream many Australians from all sides of politics had when James Mathison announced his candidacy as an Independent in Tony Abbott’s seat of Warringah. 

While the leadership of the entire nation is tonight’s main prize, this political microcosm in Sydney’s northern beaches somehow represented a chance for Australia to finally do away with Abbott’s looming presence.

With over half of the votes counted, it’s pretty clear how the electorate will eventually decide: Tones rides again. Comfortably. 

As it stands, Abbott has a stonking 51.6% of the first preference vote, effectively stomping all of his would-be competitors. In contrast, Mathison is looking at a respectable-in-context 11.6% of first preferences, coming in just behind Greens and Labor. 

About one in ten people in Warringah wanted a former Aus Idol host to be their MP instead of former PM. #ausvotes pic.twitter.com/orjhYlXvc9

— James Oaten (@james_oaten) July 2, 2016

Of course, it was always going to be a tall order for anyone to unseat Abbott, who has held the seat since 1994. Despite a 10% (!!!) swing against him for… well, anyone who has existed in Australia in the past 18 months could tell you why, he’s still looking imperious locally.

Attempts today to jockey him into addressing Mathison’s existence were kinda fruitless. Coming through on his promise to barrack for his ol’ mate, Osher Gunsberg posted this clip demonstrating either Abbott’s a) total obliviousness to the independent or b) a sneaky burn aimed in Mathison’s direction:

#timesuptony @james_mathison #ausvotes

A video posted by Osher Günsberg (@osher_gunsberg) on Jul 1, 2016 at 4:52pm PDT

Source and photo: @Osher_Gunsberg / Instagram / ABC.