Bill Shorten tried to divide the country, says former prime minister John Howard

John Howard says voters rejected Bill Shorten’s “class warfare” and “radical” climate action.

Former Australian Prime Minister John Howard arrives at the Federal Liberal Reception at the Sofitel-Wentworth hotel in Sydney. Picture: AAP

Former Liberal Prime Minister John Howard has said the election result showed Australians rejecting Bill Shorten’s “class warfare” tactics and his “radical” action on climate change.

MORE : Federal Election 2019 Results

“I think one of the ways where he (Mr Shorten) went wrong was to try and divide the country,” Mr Howard said. “I mean, running on class warfare. One of the proud boasts of this country is that we are not driven by class. We treat people equally.”

Bill Shorten, with his wife Chloe, concedes defeat. Picture: AAP

“We inherited wonderful things from the British. But one thing we didn’t inherit was class distinction. And he made a terrible mistake.”

Mr Howard said that Mr Shorten offered a different kind of leadership than that offered by Bob Hawke, saying that the former Labor prime minister who died on Thursday “didn’t try and divide the country on class lines.”

Mr Howard also said that there was “no doubt” that Labor’s prevarication over the Adani coal mine in Queensland had a major effect in the sunshine state.

“It’s a message to the nation, that — yes — sensible action on climate change is desirable.

But radical action which destroys jobs, ruins industries and denies the people in less fortunate countries access to energy is something that the Australian people will reject

Former New South Wales Premier Nick Greiner arrives with Carolyn Fletcher at the Liberals’ post-election function. Picture: AAP

Earlier, Nick Greiner declared tonight’s result as a victory for the “quiet Australians” the “hardworking, honest, decent” people that Scott Morrison appealed to repeatedly.

The Liberal Party president and former NSW Premier told The Australian people simply didn’t believe politicians making big promises.

“Scott Morrison had a message of simple, good economic management and people listened,” he said.

“It is clear people did not believe Bill Shorten who kept promising billions of dollars,” he said.

“It was clear that he identified with Gough Whitlam’s big-spending plans but it’s also clear Bill Shorten is not Gough Whitlam or Bob Hawke.”

“Labor just kept making promises and had no vision while Scott Morrison had a vision and a message about what he wanted for the country and didn’t give in to the ‘shouty’ groups,” he said.