Scott Morrison on allegations of Liberal Party bullying

PRIME Minister Scott Morrison says he has been in “close contact” with his senior colleagues after the dramatic resignation of Liberal MP Julia Banks.

PRIME Minister Scott Morrison says he has been in “close contact” with his senior Liberal colleagues after Julia Banks announced she was quitting Parliament.

Banks last week said she would not recontest her marginal seat of Chisholm in Victoria, citing “bullying and intimidation”.

The leadership chaos in Canberra was the “last straw” for a fed-up Ms Banks who quit in dramatic fashion.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison speaks to the media during a press conference at the Carss Park Narani Child Care Centre in Sydney.

Mr Morrison told reporters in Sydney today “the matter is being well handled”.

“I have no truck with bullies, whether it’s in the classroom, whether it’s in the workplace, whether it’s in Parliament and all of my colleagues know that.

”I hav been in close contact with most of my colleagues, including the Minister for Women, Kelly O’Dwyer, and the matter is being well-handled.

Liberal Member for Chisholm Julia Banks quit, citing bullying and intimidation.

The Prime Minister said Peter Dutton had been reappointed to the Home Affairs portfolio “because he has done an outstanding job”.

Mr Morrison defended Mr Dutton over the au pair visa saga, describing his actions as “a ministerial intervention power”.

“In his case, I’ve seen the decisions that were taken and the decisions were completely consistent with how that power should be exercised and that’s, frankly, the end of the matter”.

Mr Morrison was in Sydney with Health Minister Greg Hunt to announce the listing of the drug Orkambi on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.

The drug can extend the lives of patients fighting the incurable lung disease cystic fibrosis by decades.

The drug, Orkambi, was due to be listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme from October 1 but manufacturer Vertex has agreed to provide early access for patients.

There are 1000 Australians above the age of 12 who will be eligible, along with 300 children aged between six and 11.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison with Health Minister Greg Hunt.

“We’re standing together with those who are suffering from cystic fibrosis,” Mr Morrison told reporters.

“Today we’ve said we’re with you because we’ve been able to list this very important drug which is going to change their lives.” Without the government subsidy, the treatment ordinarily costs $250,000 a year. In Australia, one in every 25,000 babies is born with cystic fibrosis, which affects the lungs and digestive system.