‘Are you OK?’: Karl Stefanovic’s concern for PM at end of testy interview

The Prime Minister popped up on morning TV again today, and something in his voice sparked concern from Karl Stefanovic.

There was a moment of levity at the end of an otherwise testy conversation between Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Today host Karl Stefanovic this morning.

After clashing with Mr Morrison for a couple of minutes over his strained relationship with the Solomon Islands, Stefanovic slipped in a cheeky question about the Prime Minister’s slightly croaky voice.

“PM are you OK? You sound croaky. You haven’t got the ‘vid again, have you?” he asked.

Mr Morrison of course had Covid back at the start of March, so it would be surprising for him to be infected again during the campaign.

“No mate, I’m fighting fit,” he reassured Stefanovic.

“That’s a denial? I wish you all the very best. Not easy at the moment, is it, with the flu and Covid,” the host noted.

“I’m feeling great!” said Mr Morrison. “How are you feeling Karl?”

(This moment had a similar vibe to that bit in the original Star Wars where Han Solo is on the blower to some random imperial. “Everything’s fine here, situation normal …………. how are you?”)

Anyway Karl said he was fine, minus “a few croaks in the bones”.

On to more substantive issues. Earlier in the interview, Mr Morrison copped a sustained grilling on Australia’s relationship with the Solomons, which of course signed a defence pact with China recently.

"That's how sensible, professional, adult governements respond to challenges like this."

Scott Morrison has responded to the Solomon Islands Prime Minister launching a war of words against the Australian government over "offensive" comments. #9Todaypic.twitter.com/V2R3a0imxv

— The Today Show (@TheTodayShow) May 4, 2022

“You have had a lot to say about our relationship with the Solomon Islands. Their PM is filthy with you, saying you and others are effectively threatening his country with invasion. How do you respond?” Stefanovic asked.

“Well of course that’s not the case,” said Mr Morrison.

“We continue to be there supporting the Solomon Islands, and we will always do that. They’re family, and that’s how we see our relationship with all of those Pacific Islands … we are always there for our Pacific family and will continue to be.”

“If he’s family, I would hate to see an enemy,” Stefanovic quipped. He then played a quote from Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare: “What is more insulting and totally unacceptable is we are being treated as kindergarten students … and therefore we need to be supervised. We are insulted.”

“Some say he’s unhinged. Who knows. Either way he’s seriously ticked off. That’s a dangerous situation when you are in bed with China. How are you going to respond, are you going to ring him?” asked Stefanovic.

“I will continue to work constructively with the Solomon Islands government, as we always have,” Mr Morrison answered.

“What does that mean, PM?” the host pressed.

“It means that we deal with these things diplomatically. We deal with it professionally, calmly, rationally, dealing with the many challenges that are in the Pacific. That’s what we do every single day Karl. That’s how sensible, professional adult governments respond to challenges like this.”

“So you’re saying he is not approaching it in an adult way?” asked Stefanovic.

“I’m not saying that, Karl. I’m not saying that all. I’m just saying – the relationship and the views of the Prime Minister, he has expressed, and you know, it’s a sovereign country. He’s free to express whatever he likes,” said the PM.

“We work constructively and patiently and we will work in a professional way and a calm way. That’s how we manage these issues.”

It is, admittedly, a very difficult balance to strike for the government. How to be respectful without sounding mildly patronising? Expect Mr Morrison to face more questions on the issue throughout the day.

Karl Stefanovic and Scott Morrison this morning. Picture: Nine

Labor’s foreign affairs spokeswoman, Penny Wong, was asked for her reaction to Mr Sogavare’s remarks on ABC News Breakfast.

“Prime Minister Sogavare has his views. Australians have ours,” she said.

“I would make a broader point, which is that since the end of World War II, the Pacific family, of which Australia is a part, has ensured that we have provided for the security of the region. We would, in government, work with all countries to ensure that principle remains.

“I think it is quite clear that there is going to be a lot of work required, and it will take a fair bit of time, given where the relationship with Prime Minister Sogavare has got to.”

Asked whether she was “surprised” that Mr Morrison had not spoken to Mr Sogavare during the election campaign, Ms Wong said “quite a lot of the way” he’d handled the issue had surprised her.

“We were warned about this (the defence pact). Australia was warned about this in August of last year. Despite that, and a number of other warning signs, I don’t think Australians see actions being taken that reflect the imperative for Australia to continue to be the partner of choice,” she argued.

“This is not an optional extra. This is fundamental to our security.”