Tony Abbott is now the 23rd longest-serving prime minister since Federation.
With his official prime ministership – dated from his swearing in on September 18 last year – now of 3 months and 21 days duration, Abbott has surpassed John “Chris” Watson’s term in 1904.
Abbott has already overtaken Frank Forde, Earle Page, John McEwen and Arthur Fadden.
For trivia buffs, Abbott is now sandwiched between Watson and George Reid, who both served in 1904, the first year of three prime ministers. Abbott was himself one of three prime ministers in 2013.
On August 5, he will overtake Reid and move into 22nd position among the 28 prime ministers since 1901.
Provided he survives the year, Abbott will also overtake the first Liberal leader, Joseph Cook, in November.
When he catches up to Harold Holt in August 2015, Abbott will finally have moved ahead of a prime minister who actually won an election.