Scott Morrison and Ray Hadley clash in heated ‘bludger MP’ row

THEY usually share a friendly joke with each other on-air. But Scott Morrison and Ray Hadley got into a heated stoush today over whether MPs work hard enough.

Ray Hadley and Scott Morrison clashed in a heated interview today on 2GB.

THEY usually share a joke or two with each other on-air. But Scott Morrison and Ray Hadley got into a heated debate today over whether MPs work hard enough.

Mr Morrison, who appears weekly on the 2GB radio presenter’s show clashed over the parliamentary sitting calendar, and how much work MPs get to do.

Mr Hadley took issue with the fact there are only 27 sitting days left this calendar year, and claimed there were a lot of “bludgers and leaners” in the Federal Parliament.

He said truck drivers and “battlers” working 16-hour days in Sydney’s west and Brisbane just wouldn’t understand the “indefensible” lack of commitment shown by MPs.

But Mr Morrison fired back, defending MPs, saying they worked “every single day”.

“You’re assuming that nothing happens between sitting weeks and I know you don’t think that,” Mr Morrison said.

Mr Morrison also accused Mr Hadley of firing “cheaps shots” at MPs, saying the parliament was sitting for the same amount of time that had been scheduled before the July 2 election.

But Mr Hadley didn’t let the issue go. He then told the Treasurer: “You might work every single day but I am sure there are a lot of bludgers and leaners inside the Federal Parliament who are delighted to go home every Thursday, have a long weekend, and come back on Sunday night or Monday morning.”

Ray Hadley and Scott Morrison argue over whether federal MPs work hard enough.

But Mr Morrison refused to back down and accept his claims. He replied: “Ray, I don’t think that’s a very fair criticism at all. Name who they are.”

Mr Morrison said the parliament would sit as often as necessary to pass legislation, claiming no Bill would fail because of a shortage of sitting time.

“I think that’s a bit cheap, mate,” he said.

“Ray, you know a lot of politicians and you know they work hard.”

Mr Morrison said Mr Hadley was “deliberately misleading” listeners.

“Politicians work 60-70 hours a week, that’s what we do all the time,” Mr Morrison said.

“And we do it in the parliament, we do it in our communities, we’re doing it at events in our electorates at night, supporting local charities, supporting all of these events that take place, working with constituents in our offices.

“We love doing that job like everyone else likes doing their job and we all work hard.

“If people think the only time members of parliament are actually doing something is when they’re sitting in the chamber, those who know a lot more about this process, like you, would know that’s not the case.”

Mr Morrison also tried to say that like Mr Hadley, politicians worked even when they weren’t in parliament, just like the broadcaster often does.

But Mr Hadley was quick to shut him down.

“Don’t drag me into it, I’m not getting paid by the public, you are,” Mr Hadley said.

“I get paid by how successful I am and I’ve been fairly successful over a long period of time so don’t try and compare me with you. I was here at 4 o’clock this morning, I’ll finish about half-past six tonight for your information.”