Morrison going Howard’s way, with wife Jenny by his side

The PM is leaning on wife Jenny and former PM John Howard for “critical’’ advice.

Jenny and Scott Morrison in Brisbane earlier this week. Picture: AAP

Scott Morrison is leaning on wife Jenny and former prime minister John Howard for “critical” advice as he attempts to navigate a path to an unlikely election victory.

Behind in the polls and attempting to shed the electoral baggage of Tony Abbott and Malcolm Turnbull, the Prime Minister yesterday revealed the pair were his key advisers ahead of next month’s election.

Following the mould of Mr Howard, whose wife, Janette, was one of the former prime minister’s closest confidantes, Mr Morrison said his wife helped him stay in touch with the “real world”.

In an interview on the campaign trail in Tasmania yesterday, where the Liberal Party is eyeing off the Labor-held seats of Braddon, Bass and Lyons, Mr Morrison revealed he rarely made big political decisions without first consulting Mr Howard.

The pair spoke last week on the eve of Mr Morrison calling the May 18 election.

“When you’re the leader, you draw on your campaign team, of course you do that, the close team that I have,” Mr Morrison said.

“I talk to Jen, I talk to my friends. Jen’s a great sounding board because she’s not in politics, has never been in politics, she’s not connected to it, she doesn’t think like a politician.

“I didn’t meet her in politics. Her and her family, our friends, they’re all outside of politics so I have a great window back into the real world every day.

“I do talk to John, usually around some critical decisions. I won’t make a huge decision often without taking a sounding from him. Usually, I’ve got to say, we’re pretty aligned. Instinctively we’re quite similar.”

There are many differences between the Howards and Morrisons, but both husband-and-wife duos have been each other’s greatest support. Mr and Mrs Morrison were childhood sweethearts and have been married since they were 21, while Mr and Mrs Howard met campaigning for the Liberal Party and spent their life in pursuit of his political career.

The major parties are neck and neck on a primary vote of 39 per cent each but Labor has been in front of the Coalition on a two-party-preferred basis for more than 50 Newspolls, currently leading 52-48 per cent.

After a messy two days for Bill Shorten, who was unable to say how much his 45 per cent emissions reduction target would cost and came under pressure for his planned taxes on superannuation, Mr Morrison insisted he could maintain the early momentum for the next 30 days by being consistent with his messaging although it was “obvious” the Coalition had to make up ground.

While Mr Shorten has surrounded himself with senior members of his team during week one of the campaign, including on a daily basis with health spokeswoman Catherine King as he ­focuses on healthcare and cancer policies, Mr Morrison has campaigned with local candidates and had only a few ministers join him on the road. ALP president Wayne Swan has spent time with Mr Shorten, as has Peter Barron, the former adviser to Neville Wran and Bob Hawke.

“Some days I’m with ministers, some days I’m not, but I don’t need to be propped up by anyone else,” Mr Morrison said. “The contest is between me and (Mr Shorten). My team, the Liberal team, his team, the Labor team, but ultimately … elections are about choice and making it very clear about what the choice is.”