Awkward.

Gough Whitlam’s memorial service is being held in Sydney Town Hall today. It started at 11, and in the hour or so leading up to the start of the service a parade of current and former politicians made their way up the Town Hall steps in front of a crowd of a few thousand people who turned out to pay respects, including every living former Prime Minister.

Some got a cooler reception than others.

Ruh roh.

“Boo, hiss, Abbott’s a wanker etc” from the crowd as the PM enters the hall #GoughWhitlam — Frances Mao (@francesmao) November 4, 2014

Here’s what happened when Tony Abbott arrived:

By contrast, here was the reaction when Julia Gillard entered Town Hall:

Former Liberal Prime Minister John Howard got the treatment too, while Kevin Rudd got the most subdued reaction of any Labor leader.

Crowd booing and yelling “shame” as John Howard arrives at Town Hall #GoughWhitlam — Lisa Visentin (@LisaVisentin) November 4, 2014

Ouch! Julia Gillard given standing ovation inside Town Hall – Kevin Rudd the only former Labor PM not to get one. — Bridie Jabour (@bkjabour) November 4, 2014

Given the occasion, a lot of people weren’t too impressed with the crowd’s reaction.

Booing former and current Prime Ministers? Maintaining the rage is one thing, but it’s a funeral, not a pantomime. #GoughWhitlam — Prof Kerryn Phelps (@drkerrynphelps) November 5, 2014

By all means boo John Howard at the cricket if you feel the need, but at a funeral? Really? #GoughWhitlam — Andrew Greene (@AndrewBGreene) November 5, 2014

A standing ovation for former PM Julia Gillard as she enters Town Hall for #GoughWhitlam‘s memorial. Very sad that some were booed, though. — Stephanie Anderson (@stephanieando) November 4, 2014

There was also an awkward game of musical chairs to avoid having Kevin Rudd and Julia Gillard sit next to each other.

Some seat switching happening to avoid a Gillard / Rudd reunion at #GoughWhitlam memorial. pic.twitter.com/Xm39X4oERP — Nathan Brown (@nathanbrown90) November 4, 2014

Ah, Australia, you awkward beast. Never change.

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Feature image via Thedigitalfolklore.