Rita Panahi: Scott Morrison bids farewell with a complex legacy

Scott Morrison’s defence of his government’s Covid-era response in his farewell speech was fanciful bordering on delusional but the former PM was right to urge an embrace of values that underpin our civilisation.

Scott Morrison quoted scripture and Taylor Swift in his valedictory speech in parliament as he paid an emotional tribute to his family, defended his government’s Covid response and warned the country about a “new arc of autocracy” led by communist China, Iran, Russia and North Korea.

But perhaps the most notable aspect of his farewell speech on Tuesday afternoon were the numerous references to his own personal faith and his championing of Judaeo-Christian values.

“We stand on the values that build a successful free society: individual liberty, the rule of law, equality of opportunity, responsible citizenship, morality, liberty of speech, thought, religion and association,” Morrison said.

“All of these stem from the core principle of respect for individual human dignity. So does representative democracy. And even market-based capitalism. This is a unique Judaeo-Christian principle.”

While the PM’s defence of his government’s Covid-era response was fanciful bordering on delusional, the former PM was 100 per cent right to urge an embrace of values that underpin our civilisation.

One was left feeling that when it mattered most Scott Morrison lacked conviction. Picture: Martin Ollman

But where was the protection of liberty and individual human dignity when the Morrison government was implementing draconian Covid policies including restricting Australians from returning to their homeland?

One does not need to be religious or even a believer to understand the importance of Judaeo-Christian values to this country and indeed the West. There’s a reason why people from all types of backgrounds from all corners of the world want to migrate to countries like Australia. And, in the absence of religion, something sinister can take hold; a new vapid, intolerant and woke belief system which offers no grace, no redemption.

ScoMo may have been treated harshly by the media with many of his lowest points, such as the infamous Hawaiian holiday, courtesy of media hyperbole.

But after winning the unwinnable election in 2019, Morrison lost his mojo and ideological compass. That was evident from the Covid response errors to the ill-advised apology to Brittany Higgins to the embrace of net zero.

In saying goodbye to politics, Morrison said he was “released from any bitterness” and shed a tear paying tribute to wife Jenny and their “miracle girls” Abby and Lily.

Morrison’s legacy is complex; he frustrated and disappointed conservatives and the Left alike. One was left feeling that when it mattered most he lacked conviction.

Rita Panahi is a Herald Sun columnist