Behind the scenes of leaks and attacks against ‘bully’ Scott Morrison
In recent days Prime Minister Scott Morrison has been the subject of a series of leaks and attacks, but there may be more to the claims than meets the eye.
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In recent days Prime Minister Scott Morrison has been the subject of a series of leaks and attacks suggesting he is a bully and an autocrat and unfit for office.
But who are the people behind these claims? And do they have any ulterior motives? The Daily Telegraph has examined the claims – and whether there might be more to them than meets the eye.
Who: Concetta Fierravanti-Wells, outgoing senator
What she said: Scott Morrison is a “bully” and “autocrat” who “has no moral compass”
The background story: Having lost her preselection battle to keep her Senate seat, Ms Fierravanti-Wells has been accused of sour grapes by colleagues. While some have also said it’s ironic because Scott Morrison is said to have intervened to save her 2016 preselection, Ms Fierravanti-Wells says this did not happen.
Who: Michael Towke, former would-be candidate for Cook
What he said: Scott Morrison is a “compulsive liar” and used racial slurs during their 2007 preselection contest.
The background story: Mr Morrison and Mr Towke were involved in a brutal fight to contest the seat of Cook in 2007. “I’m sure that people who are opponents of Scott, opponents of the Liberal party, would raise it,” said former NSW Liberals deputy leader Bruce Baird, who held the seat from 1998-2007. “But in terms of all my dealings, and I was around there all the time talking to candidates and people, never once did I hear that allegation.”
Who: Gladys Berejiklian, former premier of NSW
What she is alleged to have said: “Morrison is a horrible horrible person. He is actively spreading lies and briefing against me re the fires.”
The background story: State-federal tensions during the 2020 bushfires were boiling over around the time this text is supposed to have been sent. Among other things, there was a very public fight playing out in the press over whether or not the NSW government had made a formal request for navy ships to help evacuate south coast towns.
Who: Cameron Dick, Queensland Treasurer, currently acting premier
What he said: “Scott Morrison does not care about flood victims who need help from all levels of Government. It doesn’t matter if your home floods two, three or four times over, Scott Morrison wants no part in creating an ongoing solution.”
The background story: Cameron Dick has been a long-time foe of the Morrison government, and a long-time backer of Queensland’s go it alone mentality on everything from the pandemic to floods. Last August he said the Coalition including Mr Morrison was “chock full of crazies” for trying to open the country and get back to normal from the pandemic.
Who: Catherine Cusack, outgoing NSW upper house member
What she said: “To see the self-serving ruthless bullying that has increased inside the Liberal party spill over into public policy and the poorest most vulnerable Australians who lost everything in the floods are the targets of this outrageous abuse of morality and power is simply intolerable.”
The background story: Ms Cusack has long been at loggerheads with more conservative elements in her party, having crossed the floor of parliament over koala protection and demanded a “ring of steel” around Sydney to keep Covid out of her own north coast community. While the present fight is about flood funding, this is a fight that’s been years in the making.
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