Scott Morrison’s tradie nephew Mitchell Cole ‘name-dropped’ to clients: court

Scott Morrison’s tradie nephew admits it’s “possible” he name-dropped his uncle to clients he took thousands of dollars from, a court has heard.

Scott Morrison’s tradie nephew admits it is “possible” he name-dropped his uncle to clients he took thousands of dollars from, a court has heard.

It is the third time Mitchell Cole has been prosecuted by Fair Trading for building related charges, which included leaving jobs unfinished or defective, with contracts this time totalling $120,000.

Cole was fined for similar offending in February 2017 and October 2018, which the court heard was before NCAT, but the 17 most recent charges carry a potential prison term.

A Fair Trading prosecutor told the court Cole “boasted” about his uncle and allegedly showed a family picture of him with the prime minister on the grass at Kirribilli House at Christmas in 2019 to gain a client’s trust, in his most recent offences.

Scott Morrison's nephew Mitchell Cole leaves Parramatta Local Court this morning. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Christian Gilles

“My evidence will be that the defendant was a person who openly introduced his relationship with Prime Minister Scott Morrison,” the court heard during a sentencing hearing at Parramatta Local Court on Friday.

Cole has pleaded guilty to carrying out illegal building work in 2019 while he was unlicensed and uninsured, subsequently ripping off Sydney residents.

The 29-year-old also pleaded guilty to demanding payment for the illegal work and accepting payment for work that was not delivered in time.

When asked on Friday if he name-dropped his uncle in text, saying: “I’ll just ask the prime minister”, he responded: “Maybe I’m not sure. It’s been three years … not from my recollection. It’s possible but it’s been three years.”

Cole told the court he did not recall showing a picture of him and his uncle to a client.

“Not in my recollection. There was one on social media with my family,” he said.

Cole was ordered to pay James Mckaw $17,000 after a Civil and Administrative Tribunal hearing on October 28, 2019, the court heard.

But he has paid back just $1050, the court heard.

Mitchell Cole and his uncle Scott Morrison at a family event at Kirribilli House. Picture: A Current Affair, Channel 9.

Cole said he stopped the payments after Mr Mckaw spoke with A Current Affair and things “started blowing up”.

“I said to him that day: ‘No media’ after the court proceedings’ … we made an agreement. And he still went through with it,” Cole told the court.

Cole wrote in his affidavit he was having a “really bad time” with cocaine and alcohol addiction, which led to him committing the crimes, the court heard.

“I’m now seven months sober,” he told the court.

His legal team argued he had received more punishment than any normal person would, due to his relationship with the prime minister.

The prosecutor retorted: “You live by the sword, you die by the sword”, referring to Cole allegedly referring to media in his affidavit and how he allegedly boasted of his relationship with the prime minister.

“The defendant gave an affidavit referring to multiple media, but he has not denied the allegations. At no stage he denied them,” the prosecutor said.

Cole’s lawyer told the court he “wished to draw a line under the matter”.

“He gave sworn evidence in an attempt to draw a line under the matter and wipe the slate clean. He has changed his ways and won’t reoffend,” the court heard.

The prosecutor said he would accept if the magistrate ordered Cole to serve an intensive correction order in the community, rather than full time custody, due to Covid pressures on prisoners and the fact he had a full time job.

Mr Morrison’s office did not respond in time, but he said in a statement to Nine last year: “Mitchell is my nephew by marriage and as a result occasionally attends family events. However, that is the extent of contact I have with Mitchell.

“Mitchell, like anyone else, should be held fully accountable for any of his actions.

“No one should have to go through what you have experienced.”

The case was adjourned for sentencing on Tuesday, September 21 at Parramatta Local Court.