This past voting cycle, hundreds of Australians showed up to voting locations without any pants on. Clad in only their underwear, these Aussies fulfilled their political duty in style.
The Australian swimwear company Budgy Smuggler launched a campaign called “#SmugglersDecide” in order to support voting in Australia. The initiative challenged Australians to vote in their smugglers to earn a $65 credit for Budgy Smuggler products.
As they posted on Instagram: “Fellow Australians, The election is coming in hot and while we don’t mind who you vote for, we do want you to exercise your constitutional right to vote without pants on.”
Smugglers continued: “To encourage this we’ll give a free pair to anyone who: ?Votes in their Smugglers or Smugglettes ?Captures a photo similar to this one ?Posts to socials with #SmugglersDecide by 3pm this Saturday 21st of May.”
According to Budgy Smuggler, “hundreds” met their guidelines. Buddy Smuggler has also confirmed they will be sending voters their vouchers the following Monday. Adam Linforth, Budgy Smuggler owner, commented on the turnout, “We thought maybe one or two would do it… It’s going to be an expensive day for Budgy Smuggler.”
The bold dress was particularly popular in Bondi Beach voting locations. Bondi is the Aussie city home to the country’s most famous surf site. Just outside of Sydney, Bondi Beach has a huge population of swimmers and surfers, so it comes as no surprise that Bondi locals came prepared to cast their vote and win a pair of bathing bottoms.
Despite the minimal attire, weather conditions were not the friendliest. It’s currently winter in Australia, and the forecast called for rainy skies and chilly temperatures.
Budgy Smuggler is a family-owned small business managed by “a few 20 something year olds (and a few guys who are now in their 30’s) who aspire to never have a traditional desk job.” They are located in Brookvale, Sydney, with their production factory a short drive south in Marrickville. As they boast on their website, “From printing to cutting to sewing, our Smugglers are 100% Australian made, right here in Sydney!”
Despite their humble origins, founded by a joke between friends, Budgy Smugglers holds fast to their morals. While athletic performance and personal enjoyment are top priorities, Budgy Smugglers “is also about being a quality brand in terms of looking after people – our team, our fellow smuggler and the broader community.”
In addition to this voting campaign, Budgy Smugglers has hosted numerous other initiatives, including Strut the Streets, an annual march where attendees wear––you guessed it!––only Budgy Smugglers to raise money for Australian Indigenous Mentoring Experience (AIME).
This weekend’s election concluded with the concession of Australia’s Liberal Party Prime Minister Scott Morrison. This means, for the first time since 2007, the Australian Labor Party will have a candidate in office. Labor Party candidate Anthony Albanese will be sworn in as Australian Prime Minister.
In his victory speach, Albanese promised to focus heavily on reducing the country’s greenhouse gas emissions rate. This coming Tuesday, Albanese must appear at a Tokyo summit in company with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and U.S. President Joe Biden, among others.
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