‘This is the closest to fame I’ll ever get’: Schoolboy who slammed his head on a table in front of Tony Abbott in viral photo reveals why he did it – and who he’s backing in the election
- One student went viral after he was pictured with his head down on the desk
- Mr Abbott was lecturing the grade four class on persuasive writing at the time
- The student has now spoken out and said he was hoping to get on television
- He also said while he is too young to vote, he hopes Zali Steggall is elected
The schoolboy who slammed his head on his desk during a meet and greet with Tony Abbott has admitted he was hoping the act would get him attention.
The then prime minister visited a grade four class at Seaforth Public School in Sydney’s Northern Beaches in August 2014, where he was discussing persuasive writing with students.
One student went viral after he was pictured with his head down on the desk right under Mr Abbott’s nose.
The schoolboy who slammed his head on his desk during a meet and greet with Tony Abbott admitted he was hoping the act would get him attention
Five years on, the now 16-year-old has republished the photo on his Reddit account ahead of the Federal election on May 18.
The student, who operates under the handle GrumpyandFat, said the photo is ‘pretty relevant in my electorate at the moment’ as Mr Abbott gears up to challenge independent Zali Steggall to keep his previously safe Liberal seat in Warringah.
‘Also, this is the closest to fame I’ll ever get,’ he admitted.
‘I believe I just wanted to get on the news. I wanted attention, I was a big clown.’
One student went viral after he was pictured with his head down on the desk right under Mr Abbott’s nose
Mr Abbott has held the electorate since 1994 and it has been considered one of Liberal’s strongest seats ever since
He went on to say he would ‘ride the achievement for the rest of Tony’s career.’
But the teenager said he doesn’t expect Mr Abbott to retain his seat on Saturday.
He said while he is not old enough to vote, not only is he expecting Ms Steggall to win, but he wants the change, too.
‘My brother goes to school with Zali Steggall’s son, so I’m hoping for her to win,’ he said.
Mr Abbott has held the electorate since 1994 and it has been considered one of Liberal’s strongest seats ever since.
But Ms Steggall is polling strongly, and there is an argument that the barrister and former Olympic skiier may edge Abbott out during Saturday’s election.
Mr Abbott (left) gears up to challenge independent Zali Steggall (right) to keep his previously safe Liberal seat in Warringah
Ms Steggall is polling strongly, and there is an argument that the barrister and former Olympic skiier may edge Abbott out during Saturday’s election