In Australia, the political spill is our national sport, closely followed by AFL, cricket, women's basketball and anything that makes the English sad when we win. We like our sport bloody, and our politics bloodier. A spill occurs usually when a political party is in power, but gets all panicky about whether they can win the next election. The gang disappear into a back room to decide whose turn it is to stab the Prime Minister in the back. The media collects a lot of footage of empty corridors while the party deliberate and vote, or possibly compete against each other in a series of cooking challenges. Social media goes wild with speculation. A nation holds its breath. The party emerges, with the challenger victorious or defeated. Our country has had a lot of Prime Ministers in the last few years is what I'm trying to get across here. The big difference with the #superheroSpill is that it is regularly scheduled into the calendar. Twice a year, every year, the Lottery selects a new hero to enter the Machine...
Tansy Rayner Roberts, Girl Reporter