Anthony Albanese slams Scott Morrison’s UN jibe

Anthony Albanese has attacked former prime minister Scott Morrison for his ‘nonsense, throw-away conspiracy line’ criticising the UN.

Scott Morrison speaking at the Victory Life Church in Perth.

Anthony Albanese has attacked former prime minister Scott Morrison for his “nonsense, throw-away conspiracy line” criticising the UN and urging for trust in God and not governments and institutions.

Mr Morrison made the comments during a 40-minute address at Victory Life Church in Perth – founded by controversial tennis great Margaret Court – earlier in July, where he spoke about mental health and the role of faith in people’s lives.

As part of the address, Mr Morrison told the congregation “you’re making a mistake” if you put your faith in government and other “fallible” institutions.

“God’s kingdom will come. It’s in his hands. We trust in him. We don’t trust in governments. We don’t trust in the UN, thank goodness,” he said.

“We don’t trust in all these things, fine as they may be and as important as the role that they play. Believe me, I’ve worked in it and they are important.

“But as someone who’s been in it, if you are putting your faith in those things as I put my faith in the lord, you’re making a mistake.

“They are earthly, they are fallible. I’m so glad we have a bigger hope.”

In response, the Prime Minister slammed Mr Morrison’s comments as “astonishing”.

“I just thought, wow, this guy was the prime minister of Australia and had that great honour of leading the government,” he told the ABC.

“I found it quite astonishing. It provides some explanation ­perhaps of why, in my view, he clearly didn’t lead a government that was worthy of the Australian people – he said he doesn’t believe in government.”

Mr Albanese said he had spent two months “trying to repair our international relations”, and criticised Mr Morrison for “pressing the UN button”.

“That sort of nonsense, throwaway, conspiracy line about the UN I think isn’t worthy of someone who led Australia,” he said.

Mr Morrison said he “had never hidden” his Christian faith, while indicating reports had taken his comments out of context.

“In public life I have spoken at many places of worship – churches of all denominations, mosques, temples and synagogues,” he said in a post on Facebook.

“I have always believed that faith and religion play a major role in the lives, culture and community of Australians.

“So I am always happy to go along and talk about the role faith and religion has played in my own life, out of respect for and as an ­encouragement to others.”

Mr Morrison said it was “not surprising” that he took up the opportunity to share his faith experiences, and pointed to one of the main messages of his address being about mental health.

“I spoke about anxiety, which is a serious issue that is having such a serious impact on our ­society, especially for young ­people,” he said.

“I shared how faith can help us deal with anxiety. It’s not about politics, nor intended as an ­alternative to the excellent clinical services that I was pleased to be able to support as prime minister and treasurer.

“It’s just about a real issue that many Australians deal with.”