Morrison’s Tokyo trip fuels speculation about political future

Scott Morrison’s decision to skip the opening of parliament to attend a conference in Tokyo with other former conservative world leaders has fuelled speculation among Liberals about his political future.

The former prime minister-turned-backbencher said the trip had been planned before the parliamentary sitting schedule had been finalised. He will return in time for the second week of sittings starting on August 1.

Former prime minister Scott Morrison will miss the first week of the new parliament to speak at an international event in Tokyo.Credit: Alex Ellinghausen

“Prior to the new government advising the sitting schedule for the remainder of 2022, I had already accepted an invitation to join other former prime ministers from Canada, the UK and New Zealand to address an international event to be held in Tokyo this week,” Morrison said in a statement on Monday.

Morrison, who has held the safe seat of Cook in Sydney’s south since 2007, will miss the first three sitting days of the new parliament, which will see his colleagues occupy the opposition benches for the first time in nine years.

NSW Liberal sources, who spoke about internal speculation around the seat of Cook on the condition of anonymity, said Morrison was widely expected to leave politics before the next election but had given no indication of his intention to do so.

“He has been talking to local members telling them he is in no rush to leave,” one NSW Liberal insider said. “Our estimates are that he will be around for another 12 months.”

They said there was “no heir apparent” but there would be a strong push for a female candidate to be put forward for the safe seat.

“Finding an exceptional candidate is far more important than a local candidate.”

Another NSW Liberal said there was “already chatter” about Morrison’s successor, saying it was “just a matter of when he decides to go”.

A third Liberal said local branch members were having informal discussions about potential candidates. NSW Attorney-General Mark Speakman and NSW Small Business Minister Eleni Petinos, whose state seats of Cronulla and Miranda fall within the federal seat of Cook, are among the names being discussed, as is long-serving Sutherland Shire Mayor Carmelo Pesce.

Illustration: Matt Golding

“Scott has not said anything to anyone yet other than he is looking forward to being the local member. The seat of Cook is prestigious and now we’ve had a prime minister I think we’ll see people from all over put their hands up,” the Liberal said.

Following the Liberals’ federal election rout, Morrison told 2GB radio he had “no plans to go anywhere”, adding “I am going back to the Shire and re-establishing our life back there”.

But reports soon emerged that he had expressed interest in joining the Australian Rugby League Commission as a director.

Morrison is expected to join former British prime minister David Cameron and former Canadian leader Stephen Harper at the event in Tokyo.

In the statement, he said he would be delivering an address on the role of the Quad security partnership – a strategic alliance between Australia, India, Japan and the United States – in promoting stability in the Indo-Pacific, meeting with Japanese political and business leaders and expressing his condolences for the passing of former Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe following his assassination.

Morrison said he had advised Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Opposition Leader Peter Dutton of his planned absence.

The 47th parliament will sit for the first time on Tuesday. The first day will be dedicated to ceremonial proceedings, opening with a Welcome to Country and smoking ceremony and a gun salute for Governor-General David Hurley, who will conduct an inspection of the guard before ascending to the Senate chamber to make a speech about the priorities of the new government.

No legislation will be tabled on the first sitting day but a new speaker of the House will be elected – widely expected to be Queensland Labor MP Milton Dick.

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