Australia's game of musical chairs amongst its political leaders has had an unconventional impact on Sydney's wax sculpture artists.
Following the end of Malcom Turnball's prime ministership yesterday, Madame Tussauds wax museum has announced work on Turnball's new wax figure had ceased, with no intention of finishing it.
The sculpture was to be unveiled on October 24, the former-prime minister's 64th birthday, as part of the museum's collection of Australian prime ministers for it's World Leaders exhibit.
"Malcolm Turnbull was set to be the next figure to take the stage in our World Leaders room but, in light of the current situation in Canberra, we have advised the studio team to stop work on the figure immediately," Madame Tussauds Sydney’s general manager, Mark Connolly, told The Sydney Morning Herald.
It's not the first the wax museum has had to call it quits when creating a statue of an Australian political due to an early exit from office.
Just weeks after work begun on Kevin Rudd's figure, in 2013, work was stopped, and in 2015, the same decision was reached when Tony Abbott was voted out by his fellow MPs.
The wax museum seems to have lost all confidence in Australia's ability to keep a leader in power long enough for a wax look-a-like to be crafted, with Connolly saying they will no longer create wax sculptures of an Australian prime minister.
"We want to ensure Madame Tussauds Sydney’s World Leaders room remains current and relevant to our local and international guests and not a room full of retired prime ministers."
Julia Gillard's sculpture, which took six months to create, is the only prime minister's figurine to hold a spot in the last 10 years, with it's unveiling in 2012.
Mr Connolly said Madame Tussauds Sydney is "very proud to have her figure as she was our first female PM".
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