Covid India ban: David Littleproud blasts Michael Slater, calling him a ‘spoilt brat’

David Littleproud blasts Michael Slater for his attacks on the ban on travel from India, calling him a ‘spoilt brat’.

Former Australian cricketer Michael Slater and Nationals deputy leader David Littleproud. Pictures: File

Agriculture Minister David Littleproud has blasted Michael Slater, calling the former cricketer a “spoilt brat” after a series of fiery Tweets sparked a war of words over the India flight ban.

Slater launched a fierce attack on Scott Morrison this week, accusing him of having “blood on his hands” for abandoning Australians in India.

He issued a fresh call on Twitter overnight, calling on the Prime Minister to “take your private jet and come and witness dead bodies on the street”.

“Michael Slater needs to get over himself,” Mr Littleproud told Channel 9’s Today.

“He is acting like a spoiled brat. No one is underestimating the harrowing impacts on the Indian people, or on the Australians stuck there.

“ But the Australian government’s primary responsibility is to keep its people safe.

“Sometimes we have to make tough decisions for the greater good.

“Michael Slater can sit on the beach and slam us over here in Australia. These are tough decisions and we’re very empathetic with not only Australians there, but also those thousands of Indians that are dying every day.”

Cricket legend Michael Slater has fired shots at the Prime Minister, calling for Scott Morrison to "take your private jets and come and witness dead bodies on the street". #9Todaypic.twitter.com/io1jAdzWBW

— The Today Show (@TheTodayShow) May 5, 2021

Mr Littleproud said Slater, who has reportedly fled India where he was commentating on cricket for the Maldives, should take responsibility for his own decision to travel during a global pandemic which carries considerable risk.

“But this is a pandemic that he knew he was travelling in,” he said.

“Yes, we granted him authority to travel. But there’s a thing called personal responsibility. So take some personal responsibility.

“He actually has the resources to look after himself. And we’re going to try to look after those Australians that are over there and we’re also going to try to help those Indians but he is acting like a spoiled brat and he needs to grow up and think about the big issues at play.”

Overnight Slater called on the Prime Minister to come to India to witness first hand that the “panic, the fear of every Australian in India is real”, challenging Mr Morrison to a debate.

“How about you take your private jet and come and witness dead bodies on the street,” he said on Twitter.

Amazing to smoke out the PM on a matter that is a human crisis. The panic, the fear of every Australian in India is real!! How about you take your private jet and come and witness dead bodies on the street!

— Michael Slater (@mj_slats) May 5, 2021

The exchange of fire marked the second showdown between the cricketer and Mr Morrison this week.

Slater accused the government of greed, saying: “Your government granted me permission to work so I can pay for (three) beautiful children through school and pay a mortgage,”

“So where does common sense lie. Not on my end.”

And did just read greed over common sense! Your government granted me permission to work so I can pay for 3 beautiful children through school and pay a mortgage. So where does common sense lie. Not on my end!

— Michael Slater (@mj_slats) May 5, 2021

Slater has reportedly flown to the Maldives after he became trapped in India after the IPL was called off due to rising case numbers.

PM understands Slater is ‘frustrated’

Speaking this morning, Mr Morrison said he understood that Slater was “upset” and “frustrated.”

“I understand that particularly those in our cricket community have deep connections with India,” he told 3AW radio.

“I understand the deep feeling. But as Prime Minister, I have to make decisions for Australia’s national interests. I have to make sure we keep Australians safe and we can bring Australians safely home.

“I understand that Michael disagrees with my position. I respect that. He’s a fellow Australian and I look forward to him being able to return safely home after having spent the time where he’s had to spend the time.”

Asked if he had thought of calling Slater, Mr Morrison replied: “I’ve been a bit focused on actually managing the pandemic itself and the many other challenges we have here.”

India flights under consideration

The Australian revealed this morning that Howard Springs would be used ­exclusively to quarantine returned travellers from India under an overhaul of travel arrangements being considered by the federal government.

Another option under consideration is using flights carrying aid from Australia to help ferry stranded citizens and residents back after the travel ban is lifted.

The proposals will be discussed amid the first legal action against the commonwealth’s use of emergency powers, which prohibit Australians from returning if they have been in India any time in the past fortnight, with the threat of fines and prison sentences for breaches.

About 9000 Australians are stuck in India, 900 of whom are considered vulnerable. The country had more than 350,000 coronavirus cases on Wednesday, nearly half of the world’s total.