He only needed to say one word, but Independent MP Rob Oakeshott managed to keep Australia waiting for almost 17 minutes before handing power to Labor in a speech in Canberra today.
Twitter users quickly turned against the Lyne MP during the long-winded monologue about the various factors that led him to make his decision.
Joining the Twitter backlash was former PM Kevin Rudd's wife Therese Rein, who commented "Aaaaarghhh!!!!" and "And....?????" during the speech.
The tweets later disappeared from her Twitter feed, indicating she had deleted them, but they were re-tweeted by several of her followers.
Nine Network Political Editor Laurie Oakes also grew weary during the speech, tweeting: "The way Oakeshott is going we could be here for another fortnight".
And The Chaser's Chas Licciardello quipped: "Regardless of what position Oakeshott fills over the next few years, he will forever be known as 'The Speaker'."
Announcements by fellow independents Tony Windsor and Bob Katter had left the final decision resting on the shoulders of Oakeshott this afternoon.
He said he wasn't happy with the coalition's decision to axe Labor's computers in schools program and praised many of the reforms Ms Gillard implemented when she handled the education portfolio.
His decision will see Julia Gillard remain as prime minister after taking a narrow margin in the House of Representatives, 76 to 74.
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