Federal election 2022: Scott Morrison’s raw pledge for more empathy

In a moment of self-reflection, Scott Morrison says he will bring more empathy, sensitivity, and consultation to his leadership.

In a raw moment of self-reflection, Scott Morrison says he will bring more empathy, sensitivity, listening and consultation to his leadership if Australians re-elect him.

One week out from the polls, the Prime Minister tackled his personal unpopularity head-on, conceding he hadn’t got every call right, but committing to become the leader Australia needed as it emerged from the pandemic.

Mr Morrison said in his rush to “get about the job” and “fix” problems it sometimes looked like he was “just pressing on,” but in an extraordinary moment of candour he promised to be more mindful.

“I will seek to … explain my motives and my concerns and empathise a lot more,” Mr Morrison said.

“But I tell you what, at the end of the day, what matters most is I get the job done.”

Mr Morrison argued during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, he had to make many tough decisions “quickly”.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison campaigning in Victoria on Saturday. Picture: Jason Edwards

Asked how the “crisis” mode of the pandemic had impacted his response to other issues Australians were unhappy about, like his response to the bushfires, floods, women‘s issues and integrity, Mr Morrison said he would endeavour to better explain himself to Australians.

He highlighted the $2.9 billion given to support bushfire communities recover, a $2.5bn response to domestic and family violence, and teared up as he recalled attending the funeral of Brisbane mother Hannah Clarke, who was killed by her ex-partner.

Mr Morrison was moved to tears talking about attending the funeral of Brisbane domestic violence victim Hannah Clarke.

“It was heartbreaking,” he said.

“And I was so resolved as I left there to ensure that we’re investing in the services that women need, who are faced with those terribly violent incidents, and episodes and periods of their lives.”

On his “bulldozer” approach to policy during the pandemic, Mr Morrison said there hadn’t been time to undergo the “broad scale, consultation and engagement” that was his “preference” as a leader.

“In these times, there hasn’t been the opportunity for that,” he said.

“We (were) dealing with a global pandemic, and we had to move fast.

Mr Morrison is attempting to sell a softer image in the final days of the campaign. Picture: Jason Edwards

“We had to get things right as we possibly could.”

Mr Morrison said by comparison the next stage was “very different” and he “revelled” in the opportunity to be back out in the community and be “optimistic” about the future.

“How good is Australia? Well, we’re about to find out just how much better it’s got to be because of the work we’ve done together,” he said.

Mr Morrison characterised himself as someone who is motivated by a desire to “fix things,” but does so in a way that can appear unfeeling or ill-thought-out.

Mr Morrison visits Norwood Sporting Club in Ringwood VIC to meet with juniors (under 14s and under 12s). Picture: Jason Edwards

“Jenny refers to it as the ‘Morrison men.’ Mr father, my brother and I, we go in and fix things,” he said.

“And sometimes when we go in and fix things, people can get the impression that perhaps we’re not as aware of many of the sensitivities that can be around issues.”

Reflecting on being the first prime minister to hold the top job for a full term since John Howard, Mr Morrison said his approach had “always been about enabling Australians to be the best they possibly can”.

“In a time of crisis, they needed my protection, they needed my strength,” he said.

“In a time of opportunity, they need my encouragement, they need my facilitation, they need my enthusiasm to … enable them to meet their aspirations.”

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Originally published as Federal election 2022: Scott Morrison’s raw pledge for more empathy