PM Scott Morrison skips Bombing of Darwin service for promo video

Eyewitnesses have told the NT News Scott Morrison was shooting a video with the CLP’s candidate for Solomon, at the time other leaders were at a USS Peary service.

SCOTT Morrison smiled for the cameras alongside the CLP’s Solomon candidate Tina MacFarlane, at the same time a memorial was being held for the USS Peary.

Eyewitnesses have told the NT News they saw the Prime Minister filming a promotional video with Ms MacFarlane on Saturday.

Saturday marked the 80th anniversary of the Bombing of Darwin, where the Peary was sunk with 88 lives lost.

A memorial specifically for the USS Peary was held early on Saturday, prior to the main service on the Esplanade.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison and CLP Solomon candidate Tina MacFarlane on a Facebook post. Picture: Facebook

Despite being attended by the Governor-general David Hurley and Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese, the Prime Minister was a noted absentee.

Footage shot by Channel Nine and provided to the NT News shows two empty chairs at the service, which were understood to have been left open for the event.

Mr Morrison’s office had previously indicated back in December the Prime Minister would not be attending.

When asked on Saturday whether Mr Morrison had been with Ms MacFarlane during the service, his office refused to deny the claim but said he had received a briefing on Ukraine.

In response to further questions on Tuesday, a spokeswoman for the Prime Minister against refused to rule out doing the promotional video at the same time the service was being held.

“On Saturday February 19, prior to the commencement of the City of Darwin 80th Anniversary of the Bombing of Darwin Commemorative Service, the Prime Minister met with Tina MacFarlane, received a briefing on the fast moving security and political developments in Ukraine including next steps with likeminded partners and the impact on the security of Australians in Ukraine, and provided a public update to Australians on the developing situation in Ukraine,” the spokeswoman said.

She said Veterans Affairs Minister Andrew Gee represented the government at the USS Peary service.

‘Disappointing’: ScoMo a no show for Darwin commemoration

SCOTT Morrison has been criticised by a Labor MP and former soldier for not attending a Bombing of Darwin commemoration service for the USS Peary.

The destroyer was sunk 80 years ago on Saturday, with 88 men on board.

Among those who attended the ceremony was Governor-general David Hurley, Chief Minister Michael Gunner, Federal Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese and Veterans Affairs Minister Andrew Gee.

Despite being in town and appearing at other services throughout the day, the Prime Minister was a notable absentee at the USS Peary service on Saturday morning.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison. (Photo by Rohan Thomson/Getty Images)

Member for Solomon Luke Gosling. Picture: Floss Adams.

The NT News understands a seat was left open for Mr Morrison to attend the service, but Mr Morrison’s office confirmed he had declined the invitation in December.

Solomon MP Luke Gosling, who served in the Australian Defence Force in East Timor, criticised Mr Morrison for not attending.

“The Prime Minister doesn’t visit Darwin often, so it was disappointing he did not see it fit to attend the service this morning commemorating the sacrifice of our US allies,” Mr Gosling said on Saturday.

“The USS Peary memorial is a very important occasion on this 80th Bombing of Darwin anniversary, and the US naval personnel who lost their lives in the harbour are a very big part of Darwin’s story,” he said.

“It was a great honour to attend with the Governor-General, the Japanese Foreign Minister, the Leader of the Labor Party and of course Brian Winspear, who is the last living survivor of that fateful day.”

Speaking at a press conference on Saturday morning, Mr Albanese said questions over whether the Prime Minister should have attended the service were a matter for Mr Morrison.

In response, a spokeswoman for Mr Morrison said the Prime Minister had paid tribute to the USS Peary in a subsequent address later on Saturday.

“The Prime Minister was honoured to pay tribute to the memory of the many courageous Australians and Americans who lost their lives in the devastating attack, at the City of Darwin 80th Anniversary of the Bombing of Darwin Commemorative Service today,” the spokeswoman said.

“As the Prime Minister said in his Commemorative Address: ‘There was devastation on the water - the Neptunia, Barosa, Zealandia, Meigs, Swan, Don Isidro, Florence Dee, and the gallant USS Peary. One hundred American servicemen were lost on that day and we honour our American friends who are here with us today.’”

Originally published as PM Scott Morrison skips Bombing of Darwin service for promo video