‘Burn it down’: Australia unleashes its fury on Canberra after a week of political chaos

THE utter calamity of the past week of politics has infuriated Australians, who have reacted with anger once again today.

FURY has washed across Australia at the end of a calamitous week in politics.

The Liberal Party's leadership crisis has seen social media light up with messages of anger, frustration and exhaustion.

The upset among most people is palpable at the end of an horrific few days that has seen the government tear itself apart.

Burn it down @TurnbullMalcolm - and show us those #Receipts

— Laura Dunstan (@laura_dunstan_) August 24, 2018

After all the chaos and disorder, the Australian people are owed an election now #auspol #libspill

— Shirleene Robinson (@shirleene) August 24, 2018

The only way to prevent this happening again is to send a very strong message at the election and absolutely slaughter the Liberal Party at the ballot box. #libspill #neveragain

— Sue Lappeman (@suelapp) August 24, 2018

Please - get in the car right now, drive to the GG & ask for an election. Save your legacy & save us from the RW ultra-conservatives in your Party. Please! #auspol #libspill

— Denise Shrivell (@deniseshrivell) August 24, 2018

fair dinkum this is bloody unbelievable

— Vince Rugari (@VinceRugari) August 24, 2018

#Auspol pic.twitter.com/yglgl4zxSb

— Rachel Baker (@RachelBkr) August 24, 2018

Every time I think Australian politics couldn’t get more cooked, it proves me wrong. #auspol

— Jessica Coates (@JessCoates4) August 24, 2018

Whatever happens at midday, the result will be an deeply unstable, deeply conservative Government.

We all deserve better. I’m looking forward to kicking them out #libspill #auspol

— Mehreen Faruqi (@MehreenFaruqi) August 24, 2018

australia is the stupidest place on earth—i write this from texas

— elle hardy (@ellehardy) August 24, 2018

Senior politicians were also sounding off, with Queensland Labor Senator Murray Watt reflecting on yesterday’s early adjournment of the House as “an utter disgrace”.

On radio this morning, Craig Laundy said Australians were right to be “cranky” with the government.

If there was one word that summed up the feeling of the voting public about events in Canberra, it would be “circus”.

And like a car crash, people couldn’t help but watch on in a kind of curious shock.

Channel flicking through the circus that is Australian politics #libspill $auspol

— Ann Lund (@Landunn) August 24, 2018

Once more for the record #auspol #libspill pic.twitter.com/CThUFWtwzg

— Peter Wicks 🏳️‍🌈 (@madwixxy) August 24, 2018

Many were looking to assign blame for this mess, with one culprit at the top of the list.

Something Tony Abbott should have done, instead of hanging around being a pest

— Richard Monin 🇦🇺 (@monin_richard) August 24, 2018

He's the one doing all the undermining right now. You think Peter Dutton cooked this up? No, it's Tony and people within the media.

Surely you agree the unelected media must not be allowed to have this much power?

— Cheree Corbin (@chereecorbin) August 24, 2018

In all this Liberal insanity, the inane image of @TonyAbbottMHR gleefully grinning in the background at the chaos he and his mates have caused remains the epitome of that disregard for the electorate which has surfaced in the drive for revenge and for personal aggrandisement.

— Glenda Fry (@glendaf1) August 24, 2018

The general consensus was that people were tired after a week of chaos and wanted a resolution as soon as possible.

If this malarkey could be handled in the next half hour, that would be ideal. I can then go into my 12pm therapy appointment with a clear set of talking points

— Chloe Papas (@chloepapas) August 24, 2018

Can you folks in Canberra please sort it all out, ASAP?
The country needs leadership and we all have lives to get back to. #auspol #libspill

— Mariam Veiszadeh (@MariamVeiszadeh) August 24, 2018

Judge has just stopped a major trial telling lawyers: "let's go find out who our new Prime Minister is." Crazy days. #auslaw #auspol

— Shannon Deery (@s_deery) August 24, 2018

There wasn’t much optimism about the outcome, given the lack of skill with which the leadership challenge was brought about.

just getting a piece of paper to the PM's office was a struggle for the Dutton thug camp - there be dragons ahead for Australia....

— Susan Metcalfe (@susanamet) August 24, 2018

Libs are proving as competent at spills as they are at government

— Dee Madigan (@deemadigan) August 24, 2018

Exclusive photo of the Australian government. #auspol pic.twitter.com/GmfM90Q2Yw

— Kirsty Webeck 🏳️‍🌈 (@KirstyWebeck) August 24, 2018

BREAKING NEWS: If you chose to day drink today, society will not judge you #auspol #libspill

— Mrs Woog (@Woogsworld) August 24, 2018

There were more than a few appeals for the PM from across the ditch, Jacinda Ardern, to take on a new role.

Yeppers. pic.twitter.com/i6QYW1Ok9z

— Pumpkins planted by Tom Osborn ↙️ (@call_me_tomasso) August 24, 2018

@jacindaardern please arrange to invade and take over Australia at your earliest convenience. I can arrange a welcome party. #JacindaArdernforAussiePM #WestNZ

— Karyn Williams (@nourishdmargins) August 24, 2018

Despite the fury, some Aussies turned to humour to get through. If you can’t laugh, what else is there to do?

Scott Morrison right now #auspol #libspill pic.twitter.com/bRZQKGFthw

— Clare 💟 (@clareemilyd) August 24, 2018

pic.twitter.com/OSaE9VE31K

— Dave The Happy Singer (@HappySinger) August 24, 2018

Dutton: “I will throw my hat in the ring.”

ScoMo: “I too will throw my hat in the ring.”

Bish: “Hold my beer boys.”#auspol #libspill pic.twitter.com/U2jMMFNolt

— Jenna Clarke (@jennamclarke) August 24, 2018

Peter Dutton to his "majority support": #libspill pic.twitter.com/s8deItnkzr

— Sam D (@SamDickfos) August 24, 2018

crossing live to the @LiberalAus Broad Church. #abc730 #libspill #auspol pic.twitter.com/rjIzDBzY89

— Kyle Dadleh (@KyleDadleh) August 23, 2018

#libspill pic.twitter.com/lf4S3wXVQq

— The AMWU (@theamwu) August 24, 2018

Put your copper wires out for Malcolm

— Cameron Williams (@MrCamW) August 24, 2018

Me, when discussing #Auspol pic.twitter.com/PjrVj6GMX0

— Mikey Danger (@exile2059) August 24, 2018

Footage of @TurnbullMalcolm one hour from now? pic.twitter.com/CBHuMoyara

— Owen Jacques (@Owenjay) August 24, 2018

seems like a brutal response, but this is the new Dutton regime https://t.co/9pF9PDcHOz

— Wes Mountain (@therevmountain) August 24, 2018

Ready for a zany comedy where somehow John Candy ends up as the new PM due to some paperwork oversight

— Wes Mountain (@therevmountain) August 24, 2018

Shock as Coalition party room endorses None Of The Above as new leader

— Dom Knight #bebest (@domknight) August 24, 2018

As for what happens next, some expect history will repeat itself.

Michael Kroger said on exiting min wing “it’s happened before, it will happen again”

— Lanai Scarr (@pollietracker) August 24, 2018

God help us all.