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Old And New Style, Ruddock Mixes Safari Suit and Fitbit For Charity

Father Of The House Transforms Safari Suit Into A Statement Piece
Fairfax/Alex Ellinghausen

CANBERRA -- The Father of the House, Philip Ruddock has fulfilled his fashion promise and marked the second last parliamentary sitting day of 2015 as a safari suit sitting day.

Opposition frontbencher Anthony Albanese was lucky enough to get a sneak preview.

A charity gesture as much as a fashion statement, the long servicing Liberal MP and former Minister has raised more than $1,200 for motor neurone research.

The money came from Labor and Liberal MPs, including the Speaker Tony Smith who donated $105.

The look was made complete with a wrist Fitbit. Ruddock is known on social media as an avid walker.

It was not a hard ask for the former Immigration Minister and Attorney-General. He's been wearing safari suits from way back.

While safari suits are rarely seen in parliament in modern times, they were officially allowed as parliamentary attire in 1977 when the then Speaker indicated that it was "acceptable for Members to wear tailored ‘safari’ suits without a tie."

But will the safari suit now take off following this charity appearance? Only time, and taste, will tell.

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