Perms, quiffs and some VERY distinctive glasses: Australia’s top politicians in throwback snaps


Youthful faces are a rare sight in the world of politics, which demands years of hard work and many light nights to carve out a career. 

So it’s no wonder many politicians look vastly different by the time throw back photos of their younger selves appear online.  

Australian leaders have recently sent the internet into a frenzy by posting unrecognisable photos from their youth.  

Victorian premier Daniel Andrews took to Twitter last month with a throwback photo of his teenage years, becoming one of the first Australian politicos to share an unflattering snap.

While announcing changes to the state’s coronavirus restrictions, the leader shared a photo of his mother affixing a bowtie around his neck prior to his high school graduation. 

Victorian Premier Dan Andrews (pictured with his mother) shared a throw back photo of his mum fixing a bow tie around his neck prior to his high school graduation on Twitter last month

Another photo shows the state leader with his wife Catherine at an event in 1994 (pictured), four years before they married

Another photo shows the state leader with his wife Catherine at an event in 1994 (pictured), four years before they married

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews is seen looking very different from his youth while speaking during a press conference at The Doherty Institute on November 13

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews is seen looking very different from his youth while speaking during a press conference at The Doherty Institute on November 13

‘Pleased to announce Year 6 and 12 graduations can go ahead,’ he wrote.

‘Bowties optional.’  

It seems the state leader had an affinity for bowties in his younger years, with another photo posted to Instagram showing Mr Andrews wearing a black neck tie in 1994. 

The snap shows Mr Andrews alongside his wife Catherine at an event four years before they married. 

The Prime Minister also jumped on the throwback bandwagon with a photo of him and wife Jenny.  

Prime Minister Scott Morrison shared a photo of him and his wife Jenny from when they first started dating in 1985 (pictured)

Prime Minister Scott Morrison shared a photo of him and his wife Jenny from when they first started dating in 1985 (pictured)

Scott Morrison and wife Jenny (pictured in 2020) met as teenagers and will celebrate their 30th wedding anniversary this year

Scott Morrison and wife Jenny (pictured in 2020) met as teenagers and will celebrate their 30th wedding anniversary this year

‘From when we first started dating back in 1985 in Year 12,’ Scott Morrison wrote.

Mr Morrison and his wife first met in church and began dating at age 16 before they wed in 1990.

Thirty five years later, the couple are still married and are parents to daughters  Abbey, 12 and Lily, ten.

In a throwback from his own youth, Former Labor leader Bill Shorten rubbed shoulders with one of his party’s most celebrated figures.

Former labor leader Bill Shorten pictured as a youth next to former Prime Minister Bob Hawke

Former labor leader Bill Shorten pictured as a youth next to former Prime Minister Bob Hawke

Former Labor leader Bill Shorten pictured during Question Time in the House of Representatives at Parliament House in Canberra on  November 9 this year

Former Labor leader Bill Shorten pictured during Question Time in the House of Representatives at Parliament House in Canberra on  November 9 this year

Mr Shorten shared a photo to Facebook of him alongside former Prime Minister Bob Hawke in 2016 to honour his political role model.

‘Thirty-three years ago today the Hawke Labor Government was elected. Bob’s Government introduced Medicare, universal access provisions for superannuation, key environmental protections and increased funding for schools & TAFE -all while strengthening our economy and Australia’s place in the world,’ he wrote.

‘This is the Labor way – then and now’

Julie Bishop (pictured, in blue) shared a photo of the day she was elected as Member of Curtin in 1998

Julie Bishop (pictured, in blue) shared a photo of the day she was elected as Member of Curtin in 1998

Julie Bishop poses for a photo as she attends the 2020 Copland Lecture at Pan Pacific Perth on October 16 (pictured), showing she was still a fan of blue dresses

Julie Bishop poses for a photo as she attends the 2020 Copland Lecture at Pan Pacific Perth on October 16 (pictured), showing she was still a fan of blue dresses

In 2018, Julie Bishop commemorated the anniversary of her entry into parliament by sharing a photo of the day she was elected. 

’20 years ago I was elected as the Member for Curtin – it is such an honour to represent this electorate and I deeply appreciate the ongoing support!’ she captioned the photo. 

‘This photo was taken on election night 3 October 1998 with my parents (whom I miss dearly) and my sister – such great memories!’ 

Former Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull paid tribute to his wife Lucy in a Valentine’s day post in 2016, sharing a picture of them back in their youth.

‘When I first asked Lucy to marry me she said, “let’s wait until we grow up”,’ the former Liberal leader wrote. 

Former Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull paid tribute to his wife Lucy (pictured together in a throwback) in a Valentine's day post

Former Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull paid tribute to his wife Lucy (pictured together in a throwback) in a Valentine’s day post

The retired politician and his businesswoman wife Lucy (pictured in 2020) have been married 40 years

The retired politician and his businesswoman wife Lucy (pictured in 2020) have been married 40 years 

Premier of New South Wales Gladys Berejiklian is pictured on her 21st birthday in a Super Girl costume

Premier of New South Wales Gladys Berejiklian is pictured on her 21st birthday in a Super Girl costume

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian (pictured) speaks to the media during a press conference in Sydney, Monday, April 20, 2020

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian (pictured) speaks to the media during a press conference in Sydney, Monday, April 20, 2020

Gladys Berejiklian left her Twitter followers stunned after she took on the #MeAt20 challenge in April and shared an image of herself dressed as Supergirl.

The New South Wales Premier posed in the superhero outfit wearing a blonde wig and cape. 

‘Embarrassing I know, but this is from my 21st (nearly 20),’ Ms Berejiklian wrote. 

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull called the photo ‘very prophetic!’

One user wrote: ‘Thank you for sharing this and making me laugh. You’re a brave woman sharing that and I have a lot of respect for you.’ 

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk is pictured by the water at 20 years old in her home state

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk is pictured by the water at 20 years old in her home state

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk speaks during a press conference at Parliament House in Brisbane on April 8, 2020

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk speaks during a press conference at Parliament House in Brisbane on April 8, 2020

The Queensland leader posted a photo of her at an event during her early days in politics

The Queensland leader posted a photo of her at an event during her early days in politics

Another person joked: ‘Fabulous. Ms Berejiklian, the way you’ve handled the last six month in New South Wales, I guess you have it on under your suits.’

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk also joined in on the act.  

The Queensland leader posted a ‘How It Started versus How It’s Going’ meme last month, sharing a photo of her early days in politics alongside an image of her on during the campaign hustings for the recent election. 

The youthful photo shows the politician has refined her dress sense over the years, sporting a casual-look during her early days to now opting for more formal attire.  

The Queensland leader previously jumped in the #MeAt20 trend earlier this year sharing a photo of herself on a palm-tree laden beach looking carefree – a far cry from her current high-stress job in the rough-and-tumble world of state politics. 

Opposition leader Anthony Albanese is pictured at 20 years old at the University of Sydney

Opposition leader Anthony Albanese is pictured at 20 years old at the University of Sydney 

Opposition leader Anthony Albanese is pictured during a press conference at Parliament House in Canberra on April 7, 020

Opposition leader Anthony Albanese is pictured during a press conference at Parliament House in Canberra on April 7, 020

One throwback photo shows Mr Albanese as a youth, sporting wavy locks and a graphic t-shirt

One throwback photo shows Mr Albanese as a youth, sporting wavy locks and a graphic t-shirt

Anthony Albanese shared a photo of himself in double denim and Dunlop Volleys at Sydney University in what appears to be a protest rally.

The opposition leader is sitting next to a young man with a megaphone and several others who appear to be chanting slogans.

Another photo, title ‘throwback Thursday’ shows the young politician with wavy hair, wearing a graphic t-shirt. 

One female user said the Labor leader looked ‘hot’ back in the day.  

A glamorous looking Tanya Plibersek posted her own throwback, showing her standing next to her husband Michael Coutts-Trotter.

‘Then and now,’ she wrote alongside the photos on Twitter.

‘From our third date to our anniversary dinner just gone. 30 years and three beautiful children. Love being married to you Michael.’

Labor's Tanya Plibersek is pictured by the water Bodrum Turkey at 20 years old

Labor’s Tanya Plibersek is pictured by the water Bodrum Turkey at 20 years old 

Ms Plibersek wrote: 'From our third date to our anniversary dinner just gone. 30 years and three beautiful children. Love being married to you Michael.'

Ms Plibersek wrote: ‘From our third date to our anniversary dinner just gone. 30 years and three beautiful children. Love being married to you Michael.’

Tanya Plibersek posted a then and now (pictured) photo of her alongside her husband of 30 years, Michael Coutts-Trotter

Tanya Plibersek posted a then and now (pictured) photo of her alongside her husband of 30 years, Michael Coutts-Trotter

The Labor frontbencher has previously shared a photo of her as a youth relaxing by the water with long, flowing hair.  

New South Wales Greens MP Jenny Leong uploaded a shot of herself living it up in England with a shaved head and black singlet smoking a cigarette.  

New South Wales Greens MP Jenny Leong is pictured in England at 20 years old smoking a cigarette

New South Wales Greens MP Jenny Leong is pictured in England at 20 years old smoking a cigarette

Jenny Leong leads a dance protest in the Sydney suburb of Newtown on February 11, 2020, calling for climate action

Jenny Leong leads a dance protest in the Sydney suburb of Newtown on February 11, 2020, calling for climate action

Ms Leong was quick to point out she has now quit the habit since joining politics. 

Liberal Senator Jim Molan posted a black and white photo of himself at 17.

Dressed in white trousers and a shirt with rolled up sleeves, the fair-haired youngster appears holding two suitcases as he stares off into the distance. 

Federal Liberal Senator Jim Molan is pictured at 17 years old as an Australian Army officer cadet

Federal Liberal Senator Jim Molan is pictured at 17 years old as an Australian Army officer cadet

Jim Molan is pictured is pictured on the ABC program QandA on February 3, 2020

 Jim Molan is pictured is pictured on the ABC program QandA on February 3, 2020

‘I was an officer cadet without much time to pose for photos!’ he said. 

Greens Senator Mehreen Faruqi is photographed in a yellow and pink sash with a white shirt.

Ms Faruqi joked about her look and wrote ‘not quite as bad**s as Jenny Leong’

Australian Greens Senator Mehreen Faruqi is photographed in a yellow and pink Pakistani sash at 20 years old

Australian Greens Senator Mehreen Faruqi is photographed in a yellow and pink Pakistani sash at 20 years old

Mehreen Faruqi is Australia's first ever Muslim senator. She is pictured addressing  the Upper House on August 21, 2018

Mehreen Faruqi is Australia’s first ever Muslim senator. She is pictured addressing  the Upper House on August 21, 2018