Wild, wet and semi-nude: how prime ministers party when they lose the top job

By Patrick Hatch
Updated September 20 2015 - 5:18pm, first published 1:24pm
Tony Abbott reportedly partied shirtless on the night he lost the Liberal Party leadership.  Photo: Stephen Wark
Tony Abbott reportedly partied shirtless on the night he lost the Liberal Party leadership. Photo: Stephen Wark
Bob Hawke, pictured with Gough Whitlam, is a legendary beer drinker. Photo: Rick Stevens
Bob Hawke, pictured with Gough Whitlam, is a legendary beer drinker. Photo: Rick Stevens
Assistant Infrastructure Minister Jamie Briggs emerged in a wheelchair after a wild party in the Prime Minister's suite.  Photo: Alex Ellinghausen
Assistant Infrastructure Minister Jamie Briggs emerged in a wheelchair after a wild party in the Prime Minister's suite. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen
Paul Keating, shows the Lodge garden to its new tenant, John Howard, in March 1996.

21-3-1996.  Pic Mike Bowers .  Canberra.   Paul Keating shows the Prime Minister elect John Howard around The Lodge in Canberra Photo: Mike Bowers
Paul Keating, shows the Lodge garden to its new tenant, John Howard, in March 1996. 21-3-1996. Pic Mike Bowers . Canberra. Paul Keating shows the Prime Minister elect John Howard around The Lodge in Canberra Photo: Mike Bowers

Politicians put it all on the line and the aftermath of a leadership coup or election loss can be messy.

Subscribe now for unlimited access.

$0/

(min cost $0)

or signup to continue reading

See subscription options

Get the latest Ballarat news in your inbox

Sign up for our newsletter to stay up to date.

We care about the protection of your data. Read our Privacy Policy.