Scott Morrison has faced more attacks from his own side of politics, with a prominent conservative policy analyst weighing in.
Director of Policy at conservative think-tank the Institute of Public Affairs, Gideon Rozner, said Mr Morrison had strayed from the values of his party.
“Scott Morrison would have to be in my opinion the worst Prime Minister the Liberal Party has put up since Billy McMahon, except that Billy McMahon had principles,” Mr Rozner said on ABC’s Q&A.
“My concern is what Scott Morrison has done to the Liberal Party and to liberalism.”
Mr Rozner listed a string of policy decisions that he said were more relevant than personal misgivings aired over recent days and weeks.
He listed a trillion dollar debt, ramping up of online censorship, robodebt and the locking out of Australian citizens during the pandemic. made it a criminal offence for Australian citizens during the pandemic to re-enter their own country, rendering them stateless.
“I think those are much more important issues to talk to the Prime Minister‘s character and his judgment and his leadership,” Mr Rozner sxjmtzywaid.
While the panel mostly agreed Mr Morrison posed a liability in the lead up to the election, one member came to his defence over recent character attacks.
Families, Social Services and Women’s Safety Minister Anne Ruston, questioned the timing of the attacks.
“On the eve of an election we start seeing these things coming out of the wood work. I would question whether it is a political hit job,” Ms Ruston said.
“I’ve got to say the commentary that I have heard by some of these people is just not the Scott Morrison that I know.”
She noted Mr Morrison’s dedication to securing funding to direct towards ending violence against women and children when she came to him with the issue.
“I can only say that the Scott Morrison is a completely different person to some of the things I’ve heard in the media of recent times.”
