Pauline Hanson blasts PM as ‘a bully’ in epic spray

Pauline Hanson has blasted Scott Morrison as “a bully” and a “my way or the highway” politician in an epic spray in the Senate.

Pauline Hanson has blasted Scott Morrison as “a bully” and a “my way or the highway” politician in an epic spray in the Senate.

Speaking in support of Liberal Senator Concetta Fierrvani-Wells, who used parliamentary privilege overnight to attack the Prime Minister, the One Nation leader said he was trying to get rid of the “true conservatives.”

“He is a bully and I back the senator up completely with that. He is a bully, because I have experienced it myself,’’ she said.

“He is a man, you do it ‘my way, or there’s no way’.”

Senator Hanson said suggestions that the claims were nothing more than sour grapes were wrong.

“Of course it upset the Liberal Party. Of course it upset the Prime Minister, hence he came out and said it’s from a scorned woman, but I can say it’s not,’’ Senator Hanson said.

“It’s from a woman who has given a lot to this parliament who represents the people of New South Wales to the best of her ability.

Senator Pauline Hanson. Picture: Sam Mooy/Getty Images

“It’s about talking about a prime minister who was not in touch with the Liberal Party and not in touch with the people.”

PM under fire over ‘bully’ claims

The Prime Minister has been forced to respond to wild claims overnight from one of his own Liberal senators that he is a “bully” and a “backstabber” that is unfit to lead the nation.

During a media blitz to sell the budget, the Prime Minister’s campaign has been derailed by a blistering attack from Liberal Senator Concetta Fierrvanti-Wells, who claims she regrets ever helping him enter parliament.

In response, the Prime Minister — speaking on 2GB — accused her of being a sore loser.

“There are many disappointments in political life and you know, when you’re Prime Minister, people hold you responsible for many, many things,’’ he said.

“There were 500 members who came together. I wasn’t there.”

Radio host Ben Fordham then interjected to note that the NSW Senator had in fact complained it was a factional fix organised by the Prime Minister’s closest political mates.

“Well, you know, when you don’t win preselections, there’s always someone else responsible for it,’’ the Prime Minister replied.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison.

PM rejects anti-Lebanese claim

The NSW Senator made claims under parliamentary privilege over how the Prime Minister entered parliament in a preselection battle for Cook against a Lebanese-Australian Michael Towke.

“Morrison might profess to be Christian, but there was nothing Christian about what was done to Michael Towke,’’ she said.

“When Morrison made his run for the seat of Cook there were several hopefuls including Towke, Fletcher and Coleman.

“Having lost the ballot, Morrison and his cronies went to (Labor powerbroker) Sam Dastyari to get dirt on Towke, who had been in the Labor Party for a period of time while at university.

“This dossier of anecdotes was weaponised and leaked to the media to the point where Towke’s reputation was destroyed.”

She then claimed the Prime Minister had expressed concern about a Lebanese person in Cook.

“I’m advised that there were several statutory declarations to attest to racial comments made by Morrison, at the time, that we can’t have a Lebanese person in Cook,’’ she said.

Mr Morrison said the claims were baseless.

“That’s rubbish,’’ the Prime Minister said.

Exiting Senator, Concetta Anna Fierravanti-Wells. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

“She’s made that up?’’ Fordham responded?

“It’s not true.”

Stench of corruption claim

Senator Fierravanti-Wells also unloaded on the NSW Liberal Party suggesting the “stench of corruption” now emanated from the organisation.

“Given the events and outcomes of the dodgy preselection, where I lost my handful of votes last Saturday, my time in this place will finish on 30 June 2022,’’ she said.

“Accordingly, there are a few matters I wish to place on the record before my departure. Many in this place are aware of the history I’ve had with Scott Morrison.

“Let me give some clarity and context to that history, so there can be no misunderstanding.

“In order to understand the man, it is best to look at his past actions.

“While professing to be a man of faith and claiming the Centre Right status, Morrison is a product of the Left having worked for Bruce Baird.

“He is adept at running with the foxes and hunting with the hounds, lacking the moral compass and having no conscience.”

PM accused of using religion for votes

The NSW Senator accused the Prime Minister of being a phony who used his faith for political reasons.

“His actions conflict with his portrayal as a man of faith,’’ she said.

“He has used his so-called faith as a marketing advantage. We learned that the leader of his Hillsong church group, Brian Houston, was a mentor to Morrison.

“Houston recently stood down as head of Hillsong because he was charged with sexual offences.”

Global Senior Pastor Brian Houston. Picture: Marcus Ingram/Getty Images

Backstabbing claims

“He backstabbed his Minister Fran Bailey, eventually he was fired from the position,’’ she said.

“As state director of the New South Wales division of the Liberal Party, Morrison honed his manipulative skills when overseeing the Wentworth preselection to unseat Peter King.

“About 120 membership applications were rejected to help (Malcolm) Turnbull get selected, the person Morrison ultimately backstabbed.”

“I regret the day that (David) Clarke and I agreed to put Morrison in Cook. since then never faced preselection,’’ she said.

She accused NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet of being a “weak, supine” state leader.

At the conclusion of her speech, Greens Senator Peter Whish-Wilson rose to tell the Senate he was happy to give the NSW Senator a five minute extension to continue her blast of the Liberal Party.

“Holy smokes,’’ he said.