Anna Caldwell: There are no ‘buts’ in press freedom

Scott Morrison has misread the issue of police raids on the media and the need for a strong Fourth Estate, creating distraction from his otherwise successful overseas trip, writes Anna Caldwell.

• PM in London: ‘I don’t know what the public reaction is’
• ‘Invasion of privacy’: Journo’s confronting seven-hour police raid

Scott Morrison has misjudged public unease over this week’s chilling raids on ­journalists that strike at the heart of the freedoms this nation holds so dear.

The images of cops raiding the home of News Corp journalist ­Annika Smethurst and the ABC’s ­Ultimo headquarters beamed around the world this week and created a distressing contrast between Morrison’s deft management of foreign policy as he attended D-Day commemorations in Europe.

Scott Morrison “holding steady” on press freedom. Art: Terry Pontikos

And they left many wondering why the PM, who proved himself a skilful judge of the Australian people in his election win, was not condemning the raids.

It is clear that Morrison believes in his heart he is taking a measured approach to the noise at home over the raids by saying he does not want to have a knee-jerk reaction.

It is clear he is confident he did not order or know about the raids in advance.

But his failure to condemn them could just be the PM’s first major misstep since winning office in his own right.

In an interview from his London hotel on Thursday, I put to Morrison that Australians were anxious about these confronting raids. Not just media companies. Not just journalists. Everyday Australians who know what it means for police to rifle through journalists’ possessions. Everyday Australians who know what message it sends for these police to have the power to delete files.

But Mr Morrison demurred.

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He pointed out that both he and I, sitting in central London, in fact did not know what the public sentiment at home was because we were both on the other side of the world.

It was a seemingly fair remark, and indeed the remark of a man who knows how to study people and read their mood.

But it also showed where he’d misfired. Morrison had it wrong from the moment he first learnt of the raids in the middle of a whirlwind of long-haul travel.

Scott Morrison with outgoing British Prime Minister Theresa May.

His first public response came after a business lunch attended by Morrison in his first hours in London when I and a group of journalists peppered him with a series of questions about the raid.

Morrison came up short, refusing to condemn the raids nine times and tried to have a bob each way on freedom of the press.

He believes in it, but no one is above the law, in case you were ­wondering.

But as readers well know, the reality of freedom of the press is that it can’t be qualified with “buts”.

A thriving Fourth Estate is crucial to thriving democracies.

A day later and Morrison had ­refined his message. He understood media companies and journalists would be concerned. He was open to talking about those concerns. But the AFP raids had nothing to do with him and it was premature to commit to a review of the law.

This was a refined message, but it still seemed to misjudge the gravity of the concern at home.

AFP officers arrive at the ABC’s Ultimo headquarters. Picture: Brendan Esposito.

One of Morrison’s greatest skills exposed in his election campaign was his ability to read the Australian people. He knew just what they were looking for in a leader and met them exactly where they were.

His greatest asset is his gut instinct. He is actually one of his own best ­advisers.

But on this occasion he got it wrong and that’s quite possibly ­because he’s not on the ground in Australia where the stunned “what is going on?” conversations are happening over dinner tables.

It’s in stark contrast to the otherwise successful trip he’s had overseas.

He has been embraced by major foreign leaders who have marvelled at his win. International delegations have quizzed him for more information on his characterisation of the “quiet Australians” who carried him to victory, while others have asked him about campaign techniques.

In short, he had a hero’s welcome as he rubbed shoulders with Donald Trump, Emmanuel Macron, Justin Trudeau and Theresa May.

But more importantly for Morrison, who is not prone to self-­congratulation, he had the chance to reassert Australia on the world stage during this trip.

Acting AFP Commissioner Neil Gaughan speaks to the media in Canberra on Thursday. Picture: AAP

With a renewed sense of stability and confidence, he has presented himself as the man who knows and understands the Pacific and can offer a steady, strong voice on international relations.

He will offer his opinion if he is asked for it, but won’t force Australia’s views on to other countries.

He believes unfailingly in the need for states to find peace by exercising their own sovereignty.

The conversations on the shores of Portsmouth on Thursday for Morrison — around democracy, freedom and peace — were not simply rhetoric. He believes passionately in the ­prosperous and peaceful future of the world and its citizens.

But how can this possibly square with the heavy-handed scenes ­playing out between journalists and police at home?

News Corp political editor Annika Smethurst, who was the target of one of the raids.

Morrison has been unequivocal in the fact that the raids happened at arm’s length from him and his ­government.

But even if we accept that, the PM is not excused from raising ­immediate concerns over this backwards behaviour.

He said to me on Thursday was that he was “open minded” about the next course of action and he understood why journalists and media companies are concerned.

This is not enough.

Morrison is playing the steady bat he holds dear on the wrong issue here.

He has misread the play and ­misread his return.