Once running the nation, now running traffic—was Tony Abbott lending a hand or chasing headlines?
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Australia’s 28th prime minister has been spotted doing something few would expect—directing traffic in the middle of Sydney’s CBD.
Drivers emerging from an underground car park were left stunned as a familiar face in business attire used hand signals to guide them through a bottleneck.
It wasn’t a security officer, theatre staff member, or council worker—it was Tony Abbott himself.
The unusual sight took place at the car park beneath the Theatre Royal Sydney on King Street.
Footage, which surfaced on social media this week, is believed to have been filmed in June during the 40th anniversary run of #Cats the Musical.
Theatregoers had just poured out of an evening performance, creating a traffic jam as dozens of cars tried to exit at the same time.
Abbott, wearing clothes that would not have looked out of place in parliament, stepped forward to help ease the gridlock.
He waved drivers forward, gestured them into position, and kept the flow moving without a hi-vis vest in sight.
Source: Youtube/GMC
While the scenario surprised onlookers, those familiar with Abbott’s background saw it as entirely in character.
The former prime minister has been a volunteer with the NSW Rural Fire Service’s Davidson Brigade for more than 20 years.
RFS members often receive traffic control training and regularly assist in such duties during emergencies—skills Abbott has previously put into practice.
During the catastrophic 2019–2020 Black Summer bushfires, he was seen running into a burning home to help extinguish flames.
In 2018, Abbott was spotted battling intense fires in the NSW Hunter region.
Even during his time in politics, he often took to the front lines in times of crisis.
One witness to the car park moment described it simply: ‘I’m impressed. That’s leader behavior.’
Others took a more playful tone.
‘What a comeback,’ one person wrote, while another quipped: ‘Doing more for the community than Albo.’
Some speculated he might have been visiting former prime minister John Howard, whose office is nearby in Martin Place.
It is not known whether Abbott attended the #Cats performance that night.
However, it would not be his first brush with feline-themed headlines.
About a decade ago, while serving as PM, it emerged that 130 pages of correspondence had been generated in his office regarding a web browser extension called Stop Tony Meow, which replaced images of Abbott with kittens.
Abbott has been contacted for comment but received no response.
Public figures often find themselves back in the spotlight for reasons that surprise the public—whether it’s stepping in to direct traffic or making headlines with a sharp exchange.
In both cases, their actions can spark mixed reactions, from admiration to criticism, depending on who’s watching and why.
Here’s another moment when a former leader’s words caused just as much stir as their actions.
Read more: ‘Shut up’: Heated clash erupts live on TV over former PM’s explosive comments
Would you have recognised Tony Abbott if he was the one waving you through traffic?
Drivers emerging from an underground car park were left stunned as a familiar face in business attire used hand signals to guide them through a bottleneck.
It wasn’t a security officer, theatre staff member, or council worker—it was Tony Abbott himself.
The unusual sight took place at the car park beneath the Theatre Royal Sydney on King Street.
Footage, which surfaced on social media this week, is believed to have been filmed in June during the 40th anniversary run of #Cats the Musical.
Theatregoers had just poured out of an evening performance, creating a traffic jam as dozens of cars tried to exit at the same time.
Former PM directs traffic amid theatre chaos. Image source: Instagram/mwhitwhort
Abbott, wearing clothes that would not have looked out of place in parliament, stepped forward to help ease the gridlock.
He waved drivers forward, gestured them into position, and kept the flow moving without a hi-vis vest in sight.
Source: Youtube/GMC
While the scenario surprised onlookers, those familiar with Abbott’s background saw it as entirely in character.
The former prime minister has been a volunteer with the NSW Rural Fire Service’s Davidson Brigade for more than 20 years.
RFS members often receive traffic control training and regularly assist in such duties during emergencies—skills Abbott has previously put into practice.
During the catastrophic 2019–2020 Black Summer bushfires, he was seen running into a burning home to help extinguish flames.
In 2018, Abbott was spotted battling intense fires in the NSW Hunter region.
Even during his time in politics, he often took to the front lines in times of crisis.
One witness to the car park moment described it simply: ‘I’m impressed. That’s leader behavior.’
Others took a more playful tone.
‘What a comeback,’ one person wrote, while another quipped: ‘Doing more for the community than Albo.’
Some speculated he might have been visiting former prime minister John Howard, whose office is nearby in Martin Place.
It is not known whether Abbott attended the #Cats performance that night.
However, it would not be his first brush with feline-themed headlines.
About a decade ago, while serving as PM, it emerged that 130 pages of correspondence had been generated in his office regarding a web browser extension called Stop Tony Meow, which replaced images of Abbott with kittens.
Abbott has been contacted for comment but received no response.
Public figures often find themselves back in the spotlight for reasons that surprise the public—whether it’s stepping in to direct traffic or making headlines with a sharp exchange.
In both cases, their actions can spark mixed reactions, from admiration to criticism, depending on who’s watching and why.
Here’s another moment when a former leader’s words caused just as much stir as their actions.
Read more: ‘Shut up’: Heated clash erupts live on TV over former PM’s explosive comments
Would you have recognised Tony Abbott if he was the one waving you through traffic?
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