Premier Investments boss Richard Murray calls for return of the Morrison government

The former JB Hi-Fi boss who now runs billionaire Solomon Lew’s fashion empire has openly implored voters to return the Coalition at the next election.

Premier Investments chief executive Richard Murray has believes Australians will ‘do the right thing’ and return the Morrison government at the next election.

Richard Murray, the former boss of JB Hi-Fi who has recently taken up the role to run billionaire Solomon Lew’s fashion empire, has argued that Australians will “do the right thing” and re-elect the Morrison government at the next election in an highly unusual and highly charged political statement for a public company CEO.

Mr Murray, who is a prominent Liberal and also chairman of the powerful Liberal Party fundraising arm the Higgins 200 Club, said on Wednesday at a business lunch said the coalition parties were the best place to direct Australia’s economic recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic and meet the aspirational ideals of the country.

Thanking Treasurer Josh Frydenberg after his appearance at a lunch held by the Australia Israel Chamber of Commerce, Mr Murray threw out any semblance of bipartisanship or staying above the political fray - as most ASX-listed company CEO’s would - by telling the audience the Scott Morrison government must be returned at the next federal election to preserve and enhance Australia’s economic, social and innovation achievements.

“I fundamentally believe Australians are an aspirational bunch. They believe in the direct link between hard work and success, in helping mates along the way, and in having clear goals that they can achieve, for themselves and their families,” Mr Murray told the audience assembled at Crown Casino’s ballroom to hear an earlier speech by Treasurer Frydenberg.

“They want an effective, consistent government that provides the right policy reform at the right time, that supports business growth and investment, and that thinks ahead to the future challenges our nation may face.

“Aspirational Australians have, for the majority our lifetimes, decided that a coalition government is the government to achieve these ideals. And they’ve been rewarded with a country rich in values, innovation, social and economic success.”

Mr Murray said he believed Australians would do the right thing when it comes to voting at the election, which could be called early next year.

“I firmly believe Australians will do the right thing at the ballot box once again in 2022, and we will see a coalition government returned, mandated to guide not only our economic recovery, but charting the course for a nation that will remain the best place in the world to live, raise a family, and do business.

“Treasurer, I think I speak on behalf of everyone in this room in saying you have our full support ahead of the election, and our complete thanks and gratitude for steering our economy through the most challenging years in generations. We are so very lucky to be here in Australia, and very lucky to be hearing from you today. Thank you.”

The vocal and highly public support for the coalition government is a highly unorthodox step for a public company CEO with many of Australia’s top business leaders staying out of politics to remain friends with both sides - especially if the opposition becomes the government.

Mr Murray’s chairman and billionaire retailer Mr Lew is no stranger to supporting the Liberal government and has launched a number of spirited and withering attacks on the economic credentials of the ALP. The Labor Party hasn’t been afraid to return fire, with the Opposition’s shadow assistant treasurer Andrew Leigh in March demanding Mr Lew’s fashion empire return its JobKeeper funds and at the time added a gibe about billionaires buying yachts as their companies take the wage subsidy.

Now Mr Lew has been joined in the political brawl by his CEO, Mr Murray who recently left consumer electronic giant JB Hi-Fi to run Premier Investments whose fashion chains include Peter Alexander, Portmans, Just Jeans, Dotti and stationery store Smiggle.

Mr Murray also took the opportunity in his speech to rattle the can for donations from the audience for his Liberal Party fundraising arm and other Liberal Party candidates including Treasurer Frydenberg.

He told the crowd, a mix of business, investment, political and chamber of commerce supporters that the Liberal Party didn‘t have access to the same level of funding the ALP did from the union movement.

“The Liberal Party believes in the merits of competition and as some of you might be aware I chair the Higgins 200 club. The Liberal Party doesn’t have the support of the unions like Labor. So, my challenge to you here, is if you believe in what you have heard today, please consider joining Josh’s Kooyong 200 club or Katie’s Higgins 200 club.”

Mr Murray also said the Treasurer, a Victorian, had been key in keeping the state afloat through the pandemic.

“Josh, I can imagine it’s not easy to follow in the footsteps of the great Peter Costello. But you have stepped up to challenge and more than delivered to Australia and Victoria. Where would Victorians and Victorian businesses be without the Federal Government’s support? I am not sure we would be sitting in this room today.”