The onions were out for Turnbull’s challenge

Anna Kelsey-Sugg and Joanna Crothers
Sep 14, 2015, updated Sep 15, 2015

Former Prime Minister Tony Abbott wasn’t able to shake some of his more memorable public appearances, even amidst leadership turmoil.

Following Malcolm Turnbull’s leadership challenge on Monday afternoon, social media lit up, with images of the odorous vegetable and a speedo-clad Abbott making a startling number of appearances.

The #putoutyouronions hashtag rapidly gained followers and was trending around Australia in no time, with the tweets referring to Mr Abbott’s infamous bite of the vegetable on a trip to Tasmania earlier this year.

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“Between having no onions left #putoutyouronions and waiting for the Abbott press conference, I have no idea how dinner is going to get cooked,” Twitter user Adeintheshade wrote.

“I’d assume Abbott’s counting his onions, like Moe Szyslak counts his radishes. #putoutyouronions,” Adrian Cutts said.

Meanwhile, #putoutyourspeedos also surfaced.

Never thought one man’s deserved demise would be so much fun #PutOutYourSpeedos #auspol #libspill pic.twitter.com/QIQUmuDt8m

— Ben Crothers (@bencrothers) September 14, 2015

Crossbench senator Ricky Muir also made light of a pending Liberal Party spill with a photo of coffee spilling from a mug.

“I was liberally enjoying a coffee and then it spilt,” he wrote.

Others took it more literally.

The onions are spilling and we wish the libs were put out .. #libspill2 #putoutyouronions pic.twitter.com/f9Aj0UeoUf — Sue-Ellen Campbell (@sueecampbell) September 14, 2015

this VERY old rancid onion is a visual representation of how tony must be feeling rn #putoutyouronions #libspill pic.twitter.com/8EEAST2qMT — CHLOE SARGEANT (@chlosarge) September 14, 2015

#PutYourOnionsOut How to Lose Friends & Alienate People #AusPol pic.twitter.com/i94bGm0H2f — Vanessa Burton (@LittleMotel_net) September 14, 2015

I did my bit. But they were past their use by date anyway..just like Abbott! #putyouronionsout http://t.co/t36Y2xVpBX pic.twitter.com/2RHv3qle46 — Betty Bane (@Vampyress) September 14, 2015

Fellow independent senator Glenn Lazarus also joined in, posting a picture of himself with Mr Turnbull.

“I get on well with Malcolm! He’s got my vote! #bullandbrick,” he wrote.

Pictures of a laughing Julia Gillard – the subject of several leadership spill motions – also did the rounds.

Anyone asked @JuliaGillard what she thinks of the #libspill? pic.twitter.com/UnGRfQSUIO — Queen Victoria (@Vic_Rollison) September 14, 2015

What are we going to do with all those onions? The streets are paved with them.#putyouronionsout #Libspiil @askclairem @Raphy_K @lad — Katherine (@nurse_katery) September 14, 2015