This Italian marble table which once sat proudly in the prime minister's office has become yet another victim of Tony Abbott's ways, according to the opposition.
This is one of greatest moment of Senator Penny Wong's life and quite likely my own. #tonysparty
During some of the most entertaining senate estimates questions in recent memory, Labor senator Penny Wong probed into the case of the 1980s Italian marble table which had apparently been smashed on the night Tony Abbott was rolled as prime minister.
Government senator Cory Bernardi then intervened labeling some of senator Wong's language ("broken" and "smashed") inflammatory.
Senator Wong requested photos and HOLY DOOLEY THEY TOTALLY SMASHED THE TABLE.
Senator Bernardi bravely suggested that the damage may have been cause by the table's structural integrity.
SMASHED IT REAL GOOD.
According to News Corp, Tony Abbott danced shirtless during a wild piss-up in the prime minister's office after being blasted out of the job last month.
Senior MP Jamie Briggs showed up to work the next day in a wheelchair, but quickly shot down scurrilous rumors that the injury was caused when he fell off a table during the party. (Briggs claims he injured his knee while out for an early morning run.)
The table occupied the whole morning of politics.
CSI: Marble Table #estimates
The poor table.
"I was just there for a drink and a good time... it ended up a real nasty night. Real bad." - The Table
Maybe it could have other uses.
Here's a bloody hot take for ya: Call the table "Promises" and leave it there as artwork.
But sentiment was clear... this was straight out of the Aussie political playbook.
I endorse breaking the table and looting for souvenirs. Anyone who says it doesn't sound like an absolute banger are kidding themselves
Despite parliamentary staff claiming the table would be fixed, some press gallery members were adamant it should stay smashed and live on in eternity.
Parliament should NEVER repair this table. It is history. It is art. It must be EXHIBITED AT THE NATIONAL MUSEUM https://t.co/DxHywfWEKY
Update 2330AEST: Tony Abbott has advised parliamentary staff he'll pay for the table out of his own pocket.
"On the night of the leadership change I hosted drinks in the cabinet ante room for staff and colleagues," he said in an email.
"During this event, a coffee table was damaged. I have asked my office to have the Department of Parliamentary Services invoice me for the value of the table."
"It was my event so I take responsibility for it."