Miranda Live: Israel Folau has shown strength of character, says Scott Morrison

FEDERAL treasurer Scott Morrison has backed embattled rugby star Israel Folau, saying the practising Christian was a good man who had shown great strength of character in the recent controversy surrounding his views on homosexuals.

Israel Folau of the Wallabies has found support from Federal Treasurer Scott Morrison.

FEDERAL treasurer Scott Morrison has backed embattled rugby star Israel Folau, saying the practising Christian and Wallaby was a good man who had shown great strength of character in the recent controversy surrounding his views on homosexuals.

In an exclusive interview with Daily Telegraph columnist Miranda Devine, Mr Morrison said Folau would not have intended to hurt or offend anyone with his recent social media comment that homosexuals would burn in Hell.

Miranda Devine highlighted how the star player had recently drawn controversy from rugby sponsors, particularly Qantas, for the comment.

Federal Treasurer Scott Morrison: “Free of religion is one of our fundamental liberties.”

She pointed out how many prominent practising Christians such as former Wallabies captain Nick Farr Jones had said they no longer felt they could express their faith in a public forum.

Mr Morrison said he spoke on the issue of religion and free speech during his maiden address of Parliament more than 10 years ago.

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“Freedom of religion is one of our fundamental liberties,” he said.

“That doesn’t mean we all have to agree with each other — and you can’t expect everyone within a religion to agree on every subject with everyone in that same religion — but gee, it would be a pretty sick society without faith.”

“He’s a good man ... good on him for standing up for his faith.

“I think he wouldn’t have intended to hurt or offend anyone — because that’s very much against the faith that he feels so passionately about — but he has shown, I think, a lot of strength of character in standing up for what he believes in.

“Protecting religious freedom in this country is something I’m very passionate about.”

Mr Morrison also spoke on banking royal commission findings in his interview, saying bank directors found guilty of breaking the law faced the prospect of jail.

Mr Morrison began on the topic of Folau on a wishful note: “He’s welcome at the Sharks, by the way!”