Scott Morrison puts spin on NSW by-election results, says it’s good news for next election

Despite swings to Labor in NSW by-elections, Scott Morrison claims the result ‘bodes well’ for him in the federal poll.

Scott Morrison has brushed aside suggestions a poor showing in NSW by-elections will hurt his own electoral fortunes as he seeks to reset after a horror week in parliament.

Asked to reflect on the results – which saw swings to Labor across three seats and Bega returned to the opposition after almost 30 years – Mr Morrison denied it was a repudiation of the state Liberal government.

Instead, he boiled it down to simply the retirement of popular local members, such as former Transport Minister Andrew Constance from the seat of Bega.

Scott Morrison has tried to spin a stinging by-election result into a positive. Picture: Emma Brasier

“(He is) an outstanding local on the south coast of NSW and I am very pleased he’s seeking to join our team, and is running for us in the (federal) seat of Gilmore at the next election,” Mr Morrison said.

“So I think that bodes quite well.”

But the federal opposition was not convinced, with Kristina Keneally insisting voters had sent a clear message to the government.

“This is the first election we have seen in the pandemic where there have been swings against the incumbent,” Senator Keneally said.

“But, I think federally there are a few implications … One in Bega, the biggest swings against the Liberals were in areas that were most affected by the bushfires.

Labor’s Kristina Keneally says the Prime Minister is dreaming. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Flavio Brancaleone

“And we see that there are voters who remember a Prime Minister who went to Hawaii while their homes were burning down, and that he doesn't hold a hose.”

In his pitch to voters in Adelaide, Mr Morrison said he wasn’t ready to give up the job that lights him up.

He added that despite the roadblock of the past week in parliament and Omicron, he still had a strong record.

“Every week I get to serve the Australian people as Prime Minister is the best week you can imagine you can ever have,” he said.

“It lights me up every day, having the great privilege of doing this job and to be able to do the things that we do.”