Houston, we have a problem: Scott Morrison comes clean on Brian Houston White House invitation

Australian PM Scott Morrison (centre) and his wife Jenny speak with Hillsong founder Brian Houston. Picture: File

Houston we have a problem … and that problem is with the truth. Yesterday after months of stonewalling and mocking and degrading anyone asking questions about whether or not the PM sought a White House invitation for controversial Hillsong pastor Brian Houston, Scott Morrison finally came clean.

Yes he did.

It’s not a major issue, or at least it wasn’t when it was first raised. Yes, it’s a bit unedifying that he chose to seek an invite for someone so controversial (Google why yourselves). But refusing to answer simple questions, and then acting so dismissively to anyone who sought an honest response, is unbecoming.

Morrison repeatedly dismissed as “gossip” questions about a story which originated in that journal of disrepute (I’m being ironic), The Wall Street Journal. Probably the most highly regarded newspaper in the world. Gossip is defined as discussions about private matters, often untruthfully.

A PM seeking an invite to an official state dinner is hardly a private matter. And we now know the story was entirely truthful.

Albert Einstein once said “whoever is careless with truth in small matters cannot be trusted in important affairs”.

It was a small matter. One the PM amplified with his tricky responses. He even batted away questions in parliament on the matter — with equally dismissive contempt for the questions.

Last night Morrison said he could have handled the questions differently. Indeed he could have. For example, by telling the truth. Or by not falling back on arrogance and rudeness.

If Einstein is right — and he has been wrong once or twice in his lifetime — Houston, we really do have a problem now. Because someone with a well-trodden track record of carelessness with the truth about small matters has now been entrusted with oversight of some very important affairs: bushfire recovery, economic stimulus to ward of the impact of the Coronavirus, the health management of the nation in the wake of the virus spreading. The list goes on. There are very challenging times.

Let’s hope Morrison lifts his game.

Peter van Onselen is Political Editor for Network 10 and professor of politics and public policy at the University of Western Australia and Griffith University