Updated: Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2015 at 2 p.m. AEST
Tony Abbott, who was replaced as Australia's prime minister by Malcolm Turnbull in dramatic fashion Monday night, looked visibly shaken Tuesday during his first public remarks since being deposed.
Abbott had been silent since the party room ballot vote that robbed him of his leadership on Monday. As Tuesday afternoon arrived with no word from the Sydney politician, Australia was left wondering if some political intrigue was afoot.
The hashtag #whereistony began trending on Twitter, and Sky News even sent a helicopter after what the outlet believed was Abbott's car in a Canberra suburb.
This is Mr Abbott's car. @SkyNewsAust is tracking it. He appears to be heading for Manuka. What the? #libspill pic.twitter.com/iGSOulX8Mi— Stephanie Peatling (@srpeatling) September 15, 2015
He's hiding in an onion bag. #WhereIsTony— Jules LeFevre (@jules_lefevre) September 15, 2015
"I will find you" #whereistony pic.twitter.com/ieq2d3qvRx— Jason Pestell (@JasonPestell) September 15, 2015
When he finally showed up, it was a surprisingly humble Abbott that spoke to reporters -- a far cry from the aggressive persona he had cultivated while in opposition and as Australia's leader.
Abbott thanked his family and staff, and noted the difficulty of living in the public eye. "Few of us, after all, entirely measure up to expectation," he said.
Thank you for the privilege of being Prime Minister. My love for this country is as strong as ever. pic.twitter.com/CP0ioCzE1Z— Tony Abbott (@TonyAbbottMHR) September 15, 2015
He didn't go down without throwing a few punches, however. He had plenty to say about the media, which he called "the assassin's knife."
"If there's one piece of advice I can give to the media, it's this: Refuse to print self-serving claims that the person making them won't put his or her name to," he said.
Notably, he also failed to mention the new prime minster, Malcolm Turnbull, or the deputy leader, Julie Bishop, by name.
"My love for this country is as strong as ever, and may God bless this great Commonwealth," Abbott concluded.
Abbott's speech received a mix reaction online -- some praised his words as gracious and human, while other questioned his jabs at the press.
Excellent speech. Great shame for Abbott that perhaps his most articulate moment as PM comes after the curtain falls.— Daniel Wills (@DanWillsTiser) September 15, 2015
Does abbott seriously think his staff have never anonymously briefed journalists...?— Latika M Bourke (@latikambourke) September 15, 2015
Former prime minister and Liberal Party elder John Howard paid tribute to Abbott in a press conference Tuesday. While he said he never made a habit of blaming the media, he did believe the temperature of public life had changed. "I do think that we are living in a more supercharged, frenetic ... environment," he said.