PM asks for nation’s understanding as he takes a holiday with daughters

After being lashed for his Hawaii trip, Scott Morrison has flagged a brief holiday with his family next week.

Scott Morrison will try to take a short break next week to join his wife and two daughters on their school holidays, but he will not be standing aside and has asked for the nation’s understanding.

The Prime Minister was lashed for taking a holiday to Hawaii during the summer bushfire crisis at the beginning of the year, and suffered significantly in the polls.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, the Liberal leader has rebounded to record personal approval ratings and rebuilt his lead as preferred prime minister against Anthony Albanese.

Mr Morrison said he would attempt to take some “down time” with his wife Jenny and his two daughters Abbey and Lily on their holiday outside Sydney, but he would remain in charge of the national response to the Victorian outbreak.

“I will not be joining them for that full-time. I will also not be standing aside from the tasks I have all day,” he said.

“We have technology where I can be with them and continue to take briefings, calls and meetings in dealing with the situation whether it be Victoria or the other situations in the country.

“I will be returning to Canberra next week where I am sure you will be able to see me again … just because I am not standing in front of a camera, it does not mean I am not behind my desk or doing what I need to do daily. I ask the people’s understanding on that.”

Mr Morrison’s decision to keep working while he takes a break comes months after he was lashed for not publicly naming an acting prime minister when he went to Hawaii.

The National Cabinet has regularly met over video-conference and phone calls since the pandemic began.