Last month Philip Ruddock wrote:"Dear All,I will be making an importance announcement later today via twitter. Philip."
Liberal MP Philip Ruddock in his safari suit.Alex Ellinghausen
The typo only added to the sense of urgency.
Could the"father of the house"– who has been an MP since 1973 – really be be retiring after four decades in Parliament?
Mr Ruddock gets ready to enter the chamber for question time with Speaker Tony Smith.Alex Ellinghausen
A long sigh of relief was heard when it turned out that Ruddock's demise had been greatly exaggerated.
As Ruddock revealed to his followers,the big announcement was that he would wear a safari suit into Parliament. He had agreed to the dare to raise money for.
It's an issue of close personal interest to the former attorney-general and immigration minister. Both Ruddock's sisters suffer from a form of muscular dystrophy,as did his father.
Over the ensuing weeks,Ruddock has stoked anticipation by tweeting photos from the archives of him in various safari suits.
Mr Ruddock enters the chamber for question time.Alex Ellinghausen
On Wednesday the moment arrived - and Ruddock lived up to his promise. As question time was about to begin,Ruddock strutted into the House of Representatives looking dapper in a camel-coloured safari suit.
While some unkind observers asked why he was dressed like a Bond villain,Ruddock can feel proud. He's raised over $1000 and counting for the motor neurone disease research effort.