There was one lingering mystery after the leadership spill vote in Australian parliament Monday morning: who entered the informal vote?
In the secret Liberal Party room ballot, ministers were expected to vote 'yes' or 'no' to indicate whether they supported a motion to declare the Prime Minister and Deputy Leader of the Liberal Party's seats vacant.
The vote ended in a majority against the motion, 61-39, leaving Tony Abbott as Australia's Prime Minister. One of the 102 ministers had not voted due to his wife giving birth overnight (good excuse) and one cast an informal vote (no excuse).
Either someone didn't know the importance of the vote in Australia's political history, simply forgot how to tick a box or skipped the game intentionally. Because, whatever.
Informal vote in #libspill simply had "PASS" written on it. In capitals. Ballot papers were blank. MPs and senators asked to write Yes or No— Andrew Probyn (@andrewprobyn) February 9, 2015
According to The West Australian, the piece of paper had PASS written in capital letters. It is unknown why a minister would skip on the opportunity to place their vote -- but quick-witted spectators came to the obvious conclusion being that the minister in question wanted Taylor Swift for PM.
The informal vote. #libspill #auspol pic.twitter.com/p7gUTvV7tw— Andy Procopis (@AndyProcopis) February 8, 2015
I imagine that the informal #libspill vote just read "See You Next Tuesday..."— Marc Fennell (@marcfennell) February 8, 2015
Found that informal vote #libspill pic.twitter.com/VeOnIdv83T— David Pope (@davpope) February 8, 2015
One Informal vote? #Libspill #Auspol pic.twitter.com/9RFKjHlCd8— Greg McNevin (@gmcnevin) February 8, 2015
First pic of the informal #libspill vote (idea: @GrogsGamut) pic.twitter.com/PXPNPzwwPU— Ron Erdos (@RonErdos) February 8, 2015
Informal vote was cast by an MP not wearing a blue tie. Actually voted "business casual" not informal #libspill pic.twitter.com/Y2SYoHQtrG— Ares Mars (@AresMarsFlack) February 9, 2015
Breaking: informal #libspill ballot paper comes to light pic.twitter.com/5DrM8GhWl9— Paul Syvret (@PSyvret) February 9, 2015
According to Liberals, the source of the informal vote was Kevin Andrews. He voted for Julia Gillard. #libspill #auspol— Gino Mandarino (@GinoMandarino) February 9, 2015
Breaking: details of this morning's single informal vote have been released #auspol #libspill pic.twitter.com/9rhh8JSS19— Phil (@Superchair14) February 9, 2015
Informal vote was, I understand, for "Bacon". Kevin Bacon has been approached for comment. #libspill— Tony McFadden (@Tony_McFadden) February 9, 2015
Exclusive picture of the informal vote. #libspill pic.twitter.com/mRtpJoqBYW— Denham Sadler (@denhamsadler) February 9, 2015
@marcfennell it was Turnbull's and it simply said "#YOLO"— Morgan Roberts (@morgancroberts) February 8, 2015