Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott was ridiculed after he said he would 'shirtfront' the Russian president. Photo / Getty Images
Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott was ridiculed after he said he would 'shirtfront' the Russian president. Photo / Getty Images
Tony Abbott lost the fight to keep his prime ministership after Malcolm Turnbull toppled him in a ballot for the Liberal Party leadership on Monday.
Mr Abbott's critics say they have seen this coming, with many directly linking his political demise to a series of slip-ups and mistakes:
1.Caught oncamera laughing at Immigration Minister Peter Dutton's "vulgar" joke
Tony Abbott was caught laughing at what was labelled a "tasteless" and "vulgar" joke made by Minister Peter Dutton. Photo / Getty Images
Just last week, Prime Minister Abbott was caught on camera at Parliament House laughing at what was labelled a "tasteless" and "vulgar" joke made by Minister Peter Dutton about the Pacific Islands being swallowed up by rising seas.
A meeting on Australia's Syrian refugee intake was running behind schedule, which led Mr Dutton to joke that the meeting was running to "Cape York time."
Mr Abbott then said "we had a bit of that up in Port Moresby".
Mr Dutton then responded to Mr Abbott by saying: "Time doesn't mean anything when you're about to have water lapping at your door."
Mr Abbott was caught laughing during the exchange and only stopped when Social Services Minister Scott Morrison alerted him to the large boom microphone hanging over them.
2. Standing by the Speaker
Tony Abbott caused controversy after he downplayed Speaker Bronwyn Bishop's excessive travel expenses. Photo / Getty Images
Mr Abbott caused controversy after he downplayed Speaker Bronwyn Bishop's excessive travel expenses including a $5227 taxpayer-funded bill for a helicopter trip.
The Prime Minister said he understood voter anger over taxpayer entitlements but defended Bronwyn Bishop's decision remain Speaker.
When Mrs Bishop eventually resigned, Mr Abbott angered many members of the public when he said the problem was with the entitlement program, rather than Mrs Bishop.
He said his "friend" had "done the right thing" by stepping down and kissed Ms Bishop on the cheek when she exited parliament.
3. A love of eating a raw onions that has not gone unnoticed
Prime Minister Tony Abbott biting into a raw onion. Photo / YouTube
The Australian public and media has been puzzled by Mr Abbott's love of eating raw onions.
Mr Abbott reportedly ate an onion whilst touring Tasmania in 2011 where he called the raw vegatable "tasty", the Guardian reported.
As Prime Minister, Mr Abbott has been caught on camera biting into a raw onion while touring an onion farm in Tasmania in March.
Leaving onlookers shocked and confused, Mr Abbott said: "Better than any other onions I've eaten in a long time," reported the Sydney Morning Herald.
4. Blocking MPs from having a free vote on gay marriage
Tony Abbott's sister Christine Forster and her partner Virginia Edwards. Photo / Getty Images
Prime Minister Tony Abbott has crushed attempts to introduce gay marriage by ensuring a private member's bill brought forward by Leader of the Opposition Bill Shorten did not get the support it needed.
The move increased tensions between the prime minister and some MPs. His own sister Christine Forster, who recently became engaged to her girlfriend Virginia Edwards
5. Under fire after awarding Prince Phillip knighthood
Tony Abbott decided to honour the 93-year-old Duke of Edinburgh with a knighthood. Photo / Getty Images
The Prime Minister was at the centre of many jokes after he decided to honour the 93-year-old Duke of Edinburgh with a knighthood.
Tony Abbott faced a barrage of criticism for awarding a member of Britain's royal family the honour, with many voters saying they thought the decision was a joke.
6. "Shirtfronting" Putin
Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott was ridiculed after he said he would 'shirtfront' the Russian president. Photo / Getty Images
Tensions rose between Australia and Russia when Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 was shot down last year, with 38 Australians killed.
Mr Abbott's response to Russia's attitude was a pledge to "shirtfront" President Vladmir Putin over the incident, as he alleged the plane was shot down by Russian-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine.
Mr Abbott's comment received public ridicule and prompted many humorous online memes and commentary.
