He may have hoped wearing budgie smugglers would endear him to Australians' hearts.
But instead, federal Opposition Leader Tony Abbott has won the title of UnAustralian of the Year for tarnishing the image of our national cossie.
The weekend before Mr Abbott won the Liberal party's confidence to take over the helm from Malcolm Turnbull he was photographed wearing a Surf Life Saving red-and-yellow cap and a pair of the skimpy togs for an ocean swim.
The decision prompted widespread ridicule, with even Prime Minister Kevin Rudd having a dig.
Rudd 'would vote for boardies'
"You know something - if there was a referendum tomorrow between budgie smugglers and boardies, I think I'd be voting for boardies," Mr Rudd said at the time.
"I think there are certain things the Australian people should be protected from and one of those things is national political leaders so attired."
It seems Australians shared their prime minister's sentiments, with Mr Abbott winning the annual title announced in ZOO Weekly magazine.
"Not only did the Bible-bashing Liberal leader stab his mates in the back to nab the leadership (very unAustralian), he also soiled our national icons," the magazine said.
"Tony, go jump on the ship with your Japanese whaling mates."
Rudd no raw prawn
But Mr Rudd needn't think he's escaped.
After topping the list two years ago, the prime minister ranked at number 19 this year, which the magazine said was for making the world think Australians use phrases like: `fair shake of the sauce bottle', `having a Dad and Dave' and `don't come the raw prawn'.
The soon-to-be-saint Mary MacKillop is second on the list for pipping Shane Warne to the post.
"No Australian likes a queue jumper," Zoo Weekly's associate editor Dan Robinson said in a statement.
"Whatever miracles St Mack's performed, they're nothing compared to Warney's 7/52 against the Windies on Boxing Day."
Others on the list include The Wiggles - for deviating from green and gold in their skivvy choices; Vegemite - for iSnack 2.0; "horny" Koalas - for robbing the country of a national treasure by dying from STDs; and Bunnings - for staying open on Anzac Day.
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