Tony Abbott, the former Prime Minister of Australia, has been seen lending a hand in an unexpected role by assisting commuters in a Sydney CBD car park. Recent footage shows Abbott, dressed in a business shirt and tie, holding open a malfunctioning boom gate to facilitate the exit of vehicles from the busy area.
The incident, captured on the Instagram account @humansofeastwooddaily, took place beneath the Theatre Royal Sydney on King Street, reportedly back in June. At the time, the theatre was hosting a special 40th anniversary performance of the musical “Cats,” leading to a surge of patrons departing simultaneously and causing a traffic bottleneck.
In a display of public spirit, Abbott stepped in to alleviate the congestion, ensuring that motorists could leave the car park without significant delay. His involvement added a touch of community service to his profile, as he was already known for his volunteer work with the NSW Rural Fire Service.
Abbott’s political career includes serving as the Member for the Warringah electorate from 1994 until 2019 and leading the Liberal Party from 2009 to 2015. He achieved a major electoral victory in 2013, becoming Prime Minister, but was ousted from the role in 2015 during a leadership spill against Malcolm Turnbull, who is also from Sydney.
This recent act of assistance highlights Abbott’s willingness to engage with the community, long after stepping down from his political role. It serves as a reminder of his past leadership while also illustrating the different ways one can contribute to society.