Tony Abbott Didn't Even Show Up to the SSM Vote Yesterday

The man behind the plebiscite failed to show up on the big day.

It was two years ago that then-Prime Minister Tony Abbott introduced the infamous plebiscite policy to settle the same-sex marriage debate. Two years later, and after decades of campaigning, Australia has finally legalised same-sex marriage.

But yesterday, during the historical vote, Tony Abbott was nowhere to be seen.

Looks like Tony Abbot isn’t in chamber for same-sex marriage.

— Alice Workman (@workmanalice) December 7, 2017

With the outcome of the postal survey, it became clear that Warringah in Sydney's North Shore, Abbott's electorate, had voted 75 per cent in favour of legalising same-sex marriage despite their parliamentary representative remaining staunchly in the 'no' camp.

In fact, Warringah was the fourth highest 'yes' vote in NSW and the tenth highest in the country.

In response to this overwhelming support in opposition to Abbott's own beliefs, he conceded that he would not vote against it.

"This whole idea of a plebiscite was mine, originally," Abbott admitted. "I am not going to frustrate the will of the public." 

But yesterday before the vote was held, Abbott slipped out to abstain from voting.

Instead of choosing to vote for the way of his electorate, or even for his own views, Abbott left the chamber and everyone noticed.

Each to their own.....but i think @TonyAbbottMHR should have voted.

He demanded this plebiscite, 75% of his electorate vote yes.

If he wanted to vote no despite the result - he should have done so and explained himself.

He wasn’t in the chamber. He squibbed it.

— Laura Jayes (@ljayes) December 7, 2017

What’s rich is Tony Abbott pushing the postal vote and then not showing up to represent the 75% of Warringah who votes Yes.

— Samuel Leighton-Dore (@SamLeightonDore) December 7, 2017

Only four MPs remained to vote 'no': QLD's David Littleproud, Keith Pitt and Bob Katter and VIC's Liberal Russell Broadbent. The remaining 146 voted for yes (with some abstaining).

In case you missed the historical vote and tear-jerking moment that happened a few minutes after, we've got you covered.

Here's the moment Australian parliament voted to legalise same-sex marriage and started singing "We Are Australian". pic.twitter.com/DexvOUC9WQ

— Alice Workman (@workmanalice) December 7, 2017

I'm not crying, you're crying.

Photo: iStock.com/nito100 / Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade