Coronavirus crisis far from over, Scott Morrison warns

Scott Morrison has warned ­Coalition MPs the COVID-19 ­crisis is a ‘long way from over’ in his final speech to the partyroom for the year.

Scott Morrison in question time on Tuesday. Picture: Getty Images

Scott Morrison has warned ­Coalition MPs the COVID-19 ­crisis is a “long way from over” in his final speech to the partyroom for the year.

The Prime Minister told government MPs he was grateful for their support during the pandemic. “You have enabled this government to be what it absolutely had to be for Australians this year and we must continue,” he said. “We must continue, as we have this year, as we move into next year.

“That stability, that unity of purpose, the selflessness of ­government, that is incredibly ­important.

“The humility of government is one that looks at what the needs of our community are, not what our interests are.

“Australians have been tried and Australians have passed the test, and we have played our role in supporting them in that great challenge this year.”

Mr Morrison said there would be “no shortage of challenges next year”.

“The challenges of aged care … The challenges of our region and … the international uncertainties that are out there, the challenges of rolling out vaccines, the challenges of regional Australia, the challenges of ensuring that we get young people into jobs.”

He talked up his ability to bring stability to Coalition ranks since becoming Prime Minister in 2018. “I said we would bring that stability back, and Australians have seen that happen, and we will continue it,” Mr Morrison said.

“I said that we would keep our economy strong and in the face of the biggest economic challenge we’ve seen since the Great Depression, that resilience … has been proven.”

Anthony Albanese used his final address to caucus for the year to say he expects an election in 2022 but that MPs need to be ready for an early poll.

“As we emerge from the ­pandemic, Australia has the same problems we had going in, especially in insecure work and low wages growth,” Mr Albanese said.