THE WEBSITE Twitplomacy has declared that Australia’s prime minister Kevin Rudd ranks in the top twenty most followed political leaders in the world on Twitter. The research found that the governments of more than three-quarters (77.7%) of the 193 UN member countries now have a presence on Twitter.
Though KRudd didn’t beat Barack Obama (who has a whopping 33 million followers) our PM took out a respectable 19th place on the list, ahead of David Cameron who slunk in at 39th with a measly 351,000 followers. Rudd even tops Aussie celebs like Shane Warne and Rebel Wilson.
We gathered together the top 5 Australian politicians using Twitter in honour of Rudd’s achievement.
1. K.Rudd (@KRuddMP)
Followers: 1,293, 808
With an average of 12 tweets a day since he joined in October 2008, KRudd is no stranger to the selfie, troll or Instagram. For a grandpa, he’s pretty hip and his humorous posts keep followers interested. It’s no wonder that over a million people tune in for his every-day adventures.
Kev cut himself shaving, and instantly shared it through Instagram.
‘Note to self: when rushing out the door in the morning, make sure you take care with the razor. It is sharp. KRudd’
His success on Twitter is undoubtedly due to the fact that it is not all politics and attempts to slam policy down followers’ throats – KRudd keeps it real with pictures with his grand kids and adorable cats.
2. Julia Gillard (@JuliaGillard)
Followers: 415, 383
Gillard once again takes second place to Rudd, but this time in the world of Twitter. Although Gillard is not technically a politician any more, her Twitter presence still warrants a mention. Gillard is far less prolific than Rudd and seems to take her posts a little more seriously. Save one cheeky post in support of the Socceroos, Julia appears to maintain a far more demure online presence than Kev.
So proud of our @Socceroos. Bring on #Brazil2014!!! JG
– Julia Gillard (@JuliaGillard) June 19, 2013
Maybe since she’s been turfed out she will lighten up a little….
3. Malcolm Turnbull (@TurnbullMalcolm)
Followers: 180, 146
Now this is crushing. My school teacher daughter says I am sooo old I am in an ancient history textbook. pic.twitter.com/TU8u3Hm5J4
– Malcolm Turnbull (@TurnbullMalcolm) July 17, 2013
Beating Abbott by a fair margin, Turnbull (Australia’s richest parliamentarian) keeps it real on social media. Though not as dry and dull as Julia, he is not into the shenanigans which keep KRudd as Australia’s Twitter number one.
4. Tony Abbott (@TonyAbbottMHR)
Followers: 144,930
Abbott documents his travels around, and tends to post about what he loves best: politics, family and cycling. If you follow Abbott you get to see a lot of him hanging out with Joe Hockey and a lot of him in Lycra. I wonder why he has so few followers?
Some of the locals in Casterton, keen to get my ear. #polliepedalpic.twitter.com/xyhaDW9cW0
– Tony Abbott (@TonyAbbottMHR) May 1, 2013
5. Bob Brown (@BobBrownFndn)
Followers: 67,400 Bob Brown though no longer Greens leader, still has a respectable Twitter presence. He remains on Twitter for all things Greenie, mostly trying to boost the online presence of the Bob Brown Foundation.
Magnificent news! 170,000 Ha of Tasmania’s wild landscapes and forests added to our superb World Heritage Area, protected for all time.
– Bob Brown (@BobBrownFndn) June 24, 2013