Scott Morrison to 2GB host: ‘That’s crap, Ben, and ... that’s a bit cheap’

THE pressure is starting to show on Scott Morrison - but not from the tax debate. It’s from a radio station which has been firing shots at the Treasurer.

Treasurer Scott Morrison during Question Time at Parliament House in Canberra on Monday, Feb. 22, 2016. (AAP Image/Mick Tsikas) NO ARCHIVING

THE pressure is starting to show on Scott Morrison - but not from the tax debate.

It’s from a radio station which feels scorned and has been firing shots at the Treasurer he today called “cheap” and “crap”.

The broadcaster in turn said the minister was “sensitive” and perhaps had a glass jaw.

Yesterday Mr Morrison was unable to do his regular Monday studio chat with Ray Hadley of Sydney station 2GB. And the unapproved absence had the station snarling.

Treasurer Scott Morrison during Question Time at Parliament House in Canberra. Picture: AAP

“I was at my desk, at work meeting with Treasury officials, putting the budget together and working on taxation issues which is where I think Australians expect me to be,” Mr Morrison today told Hadley’s 2GB colleague Ben Fordham.

“I have been on the program every week and if I miss one because I have been busy, because I am the Treasurer pulling together a budget, I apologise but I will be back next week.”

Fordham made clear an apology wouldn’t cut it.

2GB radio star Ben Fordham. Picture: Brett Costello

FORDHAM: “Any truth to the rumour you were hiding under the desk?”

This was a reference to criticism of Mr Morrison’s National Press Club speech the previous week. He was accused of having nothing to say.

MORRISON: “That’s crap, Ben, and I think that’s a bit cheap.”

The type of silence usually described as “awkward” then followed for a few seconds before Fordham kept going and the conversation took on a schoolyard tone.

FORDHAM: “Well, I’m just wondering (silence)... there is no chance you were ducking the interview because you didn’t want to...?”

MORRISON: “Ben, that is cheap.”

The Treasurer pleaded he was leaving on a trip tomorrow and had a tight sitting week agenda and suggested the 2GB broadcaster come out and say he ducked the Hadley appointment.

FORDHAM: “I’m not doing that, don’t get sensitive.”

MORRISON: “No, you are Ben.”

The exchange then proceeded downhill at a fair bat.

FORDHAM: “No, don’t get sensitive, don’t get sensitive. I’m just asking the question and I think considering that 2GB listeners as would be used to you turning up on a Monday, they would be intrigued by this as well and I’m just poking and trying to find out the story.”

MORRISON: “No, Ben you are insinuating, I don’t appreciate it. I have always been upfront with your listeners on every single program, I explain my decisions, people know what I stand for and I’ve always sought to be very, very clear with them.”

From FORDHAM there was this: “I just get a little sense that you are a little bit ‘glass jaw’ about my criticism in the last few minutes.”

Treasurer MORRISON replied: “No, Ben mate I thought it was a bit cheap.”

After that rough handling of a Minister of the Crown one might expect a curt farewell from both sides. Instead, there was this.

FORDHAM: “OK, I look forward to talking to you again soon.”

MORRISON: “No worries.”