PM Turnbull reveals how he finishes his texts to Shorten and which politician is Queen of Emojis 

Some people finish with a kiss, others might use a smiley face, but Malcolm Turnbull has a very particular way of signing off his text messages – particularly those to Opposition leader Bill Shorten.  

In a jovial radio interview with Hit105’s Stav, Abby and Matt, the Prime Minister admitted he texts Opposition leader Bill Shorten ‘from time to time’ – despite their positions at the other side of the political spectrum.

The radio hosts cheekily questioned Mr Turnbull about the use of emojis, but the PM claimed their texting relationship is strictly professional.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull (pictured) admitted that he texts opposition leader Bill Shorten

The admission came from a cheeky interview with Hit105's Stav, Abby and Matt (pictured) on Thursday

The admission came from a cheeky interview with Hit105’s Stav, Abby and Matt (pictured) on Thursday

‘We have to have sort of a practical relationship, there are sometimes issues to discuss but I don’t think Bill has ever sent me an emoji actually or a GIF for that matter,’ he said. 

The PM said that he usually signs off his texts to Shorten with a professional ‘regards’ while the radio hosts suggested he should type ‘love Prime Minister.’

Mr Turnbull admitted he was an avid user of the thumbs up emoji, but he was not as good at texting as Julie Bishop, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, who was ‘the great doyen of emojis’.

Mr Turnbull claimed the Foreign Minister can write almost an text message in emojis – adding she was ‘an expert’.

The interview was broadcast on last Thursday – ahead of the weekend’s disappointing performance in the so-called ‘Super Saturday’ by-elections. Mr Turnbull’s Government failed to secure any of the five seats that were up for grabs after a string of Labor resignations blocking dual citizens from serving in Federal Parliament. 

Stav, Abby and Matt also asked the PM about credit cards and whether he has a special government credit card he can use at lunch.

The radio team (pictured) questioned the PM about his use of emojis and whether he had a special governmnet credit card 

The radio team (pictured) questioned the PM about his use of emojis and whether he had a special governmnet credit card 

Mr Turnbull said that he didn’t have a government credit card but often has issues when figuring out who should pay for a lunch bill.  

He said that ‘sometimes when I have lunch with people we split the bill,’ despite being the Prime Minister.

One of the radio hosts said he would love to pay for Mr Turnbull’s lunch so he could tell people that he bought the Prime Minister of Australia lunch. 

The radio interview occurred a few days before Sunday's by-election which was a disappointing result for the PM as Shorten's Labor (pictured) won four seats

The radio interview occurred a few days before Sunday’s by-election which was a disappointing result for the PM as Shorten’s Labor (pictured) won four seats

 



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