Scott Morrison hits back at Malcolm Turnbull: ‘I don’t share his views’

Scott Morrison has hit back at Malcolm Turnbull’s explosive comments about what he thinks is best for Australia.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has hit back at his predecessor Malcolm Turnbull’s comments that teal independents holding the balance of power would not necessarily be a bad thing.

In an address to the Washington Harvard Club on Friday, former Prime Minister Mr Turnbull said that since he was ousted from the role in 2018 “the liberal, or moderate voices have been marginalised” in his party and their influence is “much diminished and diminishing”.

He said the rise of the teal independents was the most “interesting” part of the election and denied that a minority government would lead to chaos and instability, as the Coalition has claimed.

Scott Morrison said the independents holding the balance of power would be chaos. Picture: Jason Edwards

“Many parliaments, including in Australia, have operated with stability and good effect with major parties requiring the support of independents or minor parties to pass legislation and, in fact, in our Senate that has almost always been the case,” he said.

But Mr Morrison hit back on Friday at a press conference in Perth, to announce the expansion of a Defence program.

“My warning is very clear to those seats where people are thinking about independents, I would say this – if they won’t tell you how they would vote, how could you vote for them?” he asked.

“Not just on who they support in government, but we can’t have a government that’s a weather vane.

“We’ve seen the weakness in the leadership of the Labor Party.

“Can you imagine having to go to that chorus of independents, the Greens, and everyone else, “I mean, they’re weak enough as it is.

“Could you imagine the chaos of that type of a parliament when Australia needs to be strong?”

Mr Morrison was asked if Mr Turnbull should be kicked out of the Liberal Party over his views.

“Now, when it comes to other former prime ministers have said, I have always treated former prime ministers of both political persuasions with the utmost of dignity and respect,” he said.

“I don’t share his view.”

“My view I just explained to you.

“That’s the chaos of a parliament driven by the daily musings of independents, who haven’t had the experience to deal with the serious security and economic challenges our country faces, that is going to hurt people’s incomes.

“It’s going to hurt people’s jobs. It’s going to damage Australian security.”

Originally published as Scott Morrison hits back at Malcolm Turnbull: ‘I don’t share his views’