Scott Morrison is brokering an uneasy truce between Liberal Party factions. After years of bipartisan instability, a prime minister who plays straight down the line, bats for principle and takes politics in his stride is welcome relief.
But in his first parliamentary sitting week as PM, Morrison will face a left flank of grim weepers crying sexism and an opposition feigning feminist sympathy for political advantage. He’ll need herculean strength to transform the wets’ perpetual pity party into a battle-fit government capable of taking the fight to Labor.
The push to get more women in safe Liberal seats is overdue. But already the campaign reeks of petty politicking and thinly veiled vengeance where team spirit is needed. Unproven allegations of bullying lapped up by the media depict Turnbull backers as victims and Dutton backers as bullies.
They make the reasonable bid for better female representation look like a factional hit. To traduce colleagues in the media without providing proof is a coward’s punch. If a male MP complained that unnamed women had made him feel bullied into signing a ballot, he’d be called a wimp or a whinger — probably both. And he’d deserve it. Hurt feelings and perceptions about reality do not constitute evidence of harm, except in the realm of thought crime and the ample bosom of campus safe spaces. People who run with grown-ups recognise that an allegation without proof should be dismissed on the same grounds.
Thus far, the bullying allegation has been used as a battering ram against Dutton supporters. Predictably, much of the media is holding conservatives guilty until proven guilty. But where is the evidence? What is the definitive proof? If the ABC’s breaking news on Friday is anything to go by, the Liberal bully-boy story is a storm in a thimble.
In descending order, here is an unofficial list of charges in inverted commas: “nasty”, “insurgents”, “horrible bruising week”, “terse exchange”. Unnamed sources told the ABC about the truly terrible intimidation tactics inflicted by “Dutton backers”. The dastardly DBs would enter colleagues’ offices — “uninvited”! Sometimes DBs went into the office “first thing in the morning”!
It’s a real cliffhanger, but wait for the climax: one source bravely told the ABC that a colleague agreed to leave their office but only after a “terse exchange”!
Is that it? Is that all you’ve got? If that’s all there is, let’s look at some alternative theories to the “me conservative, you Jane” trope that’s played ad nauseam since Malcolm Turnbull cried bully in his last speech as PM.
Key MPs claiming they were bullied by Dutton supporters are mostly Turnbull backers. They are upset he was rolled and blame conservatives for the leadership change. Maybe it’s a case of sour grapes. The new leadership could increase the risk for Liberal MPs in marginal seats, particularly where voters lean Left. The self-styled progressive Turnbull was their best chance at another term in office. Morrison presents a challenge and Peter Dutton would have been fatal. Presenting as Turnbull’s stalwart progressives in a Morrison-led government might boost their chances of electoral victory.
Then there is the populist opportunist. Why be part of a losing Liberal ticket when you can run as an independent? MPs who risk going down with the Turnbull ship might have spotted the island of lost souls: the crossbench. Be on the lookout for politicians who declare an oath of independence and damn the major parties while wearing the defecting MP’s fragrance of choice: Eau d’Innocence.
If all goes well in Liberal quarters this week, there will be catharsis. Conservative “bullies” will stand guilty without trial and issue heartfelt apologies for the crime that never was. If the wets could leak to the ABC on Monday so the Coalition can resume its job of governing on Tuesday, it would be super. But the signs are not promising. The story still has legs and Lucy Gichuhi is threatening to use parliamentary privilege to name alleged bullies. Kudos to Gichuhi. How does she find the time for such earnest work on only $200,000 a year and not a “house girl” in sight?
Whatever the state of play in the ongoing drama, there are pressing matters on the national agenda. In an exclusive from The Australian’s national affairs editor Simon Benson, the PM declared the national energy guarantee “dead”. Dumping the NEG frees the government to pursue a new policy with a focus on affordable, reliable energy and keeping the retail barons honest.
The PM is keen to craft industrial relations reform to get the taxman’s fingers out of hard working Australians’ wallets. He will continue the course he charted as treasurer to reform taxation in the interest of small and medium-sized businesses.
Morrison relishes policy development and has crafted impressive reforms in immigration and finance.
While the PM is practical on policy matters, he sees the finest hour to renew Liberal values for the next generation is now. The best of the Liberal tradition is being marshalled to defend individuals, the family and faith from the enemies of freedom. The coming battle over religious freedom will put Morrison’s talent for policy, pragmatism and persuasion to the test. It will be the crucible of his political life.
Despite the circumstances that led to discussion about women in the Liberal Party, the matter must be resolved. The issue is not confined to female representation. There is a general lack of political diversity among female MPs in federal parliament. Most lean Left on social policy and cultural matters. The Liberals and Nationals could address this imbalance as part of the Coalition’s internal reform.
The PM is charting a course through the Centre-Right that will bring genuine moderates and conservatives to the table for vital policy reform. The parties’ internecine wars should be consigned to history.
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