Jenny can ‘rattle off’ prices: Bizarre defence of Scott Morrison

One of Scott Morrison’s closest friends has launched a bizarre defence after the PM couldn’t name the price of bread or petrol.

Scott Morrison has been accused of being out of touch after failing to name the price of a loaf of bread and a litre of petrol.

One of Mr Morrison’s cabinet colleagues has tried to help by leaping to his defence.

But Employment Minister Stuart Robert’s biazarre argument only made matters worse.

Mr Robert said that if the Prime Minister’s wife Jenny was with him, she’d be able to “rattle off all the prices of all the things they buy”.

Seeking to play down his major blunder at the National Press Club, the Prime Minister took to breakfast television to defend himself on Wednesday.

“For the record, it depends which type of bread. I mean, how many different types of bread have people got at their homes these days? Milk? I mean, not all kinds of milk come from a cow anymore,” he told Sunrise.

“It’s one of those things they do at the press club to make a bit of a headline.”

Scott Morrison was pressed on the price of essential goods at the NPC on Tuesday. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

He also claimed he didn’t hear part of the question that addressed the price of rapid antigen tests but said he knew they cost between $15-20.

Mr Morrison’s milk defence is despite the reporter in question not asking him if he knew what the price of milk was.

Mr Morrison has been under fire for his inability to list off the price of essential groceries – such as bread, petrol and RATs.

Former prime minister John Howard, who Mr Morrison considers a mentor, used to be asked the same question.

Mr Howard would carry with him a piece of paper that outlined the running costs of bread, milk and other household staples.

At the moment, a loaf of bread costs about $4, a litre of non-premium fuel costs about $1.80, and a rapid antigen test costs about $17.

Jenny Morrison would have been able to answer the question if she were there. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Christian Gilles

But close cabinet colleague Stuart Robert told ABC RN that if wife Jenny had been with him, she would have been able to “rattle off” the answer.

“From the Prime Minister‘s point of view, if he’d sat there and Jen was with him, she’d be able to rattle off all the prices of all the things they buy,” Mr Robert said.

“I‘m sure they have that conversation, often as all families do. My wife and I certainly do.”

The Employment Minister claimed his own family purchases three different types of milk because his kids prefer the almond and soy varieties over dairy.

My eldest son likes almond milk. I don't know how you get milk from almonds,” he added.

“My youngest son is into beans, I think it's called soy.”

The Employment Minister has brushed off the question as a ‘gotcha’ moment. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Gary Ramage

He also defended Mr Morrison against criticism he had lost touch with voters because he “travels a lot”.

“The Prime Minister is well and truly in touch because he travels regularly. And that‘s the beauty of getting out and about,” Mr Robert said.

But his defence of Mr Morrison has fallen flat, with the opposition ridiculing the Employment Minister as a “goose”.

“The prize goose thinks buying this stuff is ladies work,” Labor frontbencher Stephen Jones said.