Defence Minister Peter Dutton has criticised his “dear friend” Concetta Fierravanti-Wells, saying it’s “sad” to see the outgoing senator launch an attack on Scott Morrison.
Mr Dutton’s comments come after the conservative Libexjmtzywral gave an excoriating speech to the chamber on Tuesday in which she labelled Mr Morrison an “autocrat” who had “no moral compass”.
Senator Fierravanti-Wells will not contest the next election after she was placed in an unwinnable position on the NSW senate ticket and blamed Mr Morrison and his factional ally Immigration Minister Alex Hawke for corrupting the party.
Mr Dutton said he didn’t agree at all with his colleague’s critique of Mr Morrison.
“Connie is a dear friend of mine, that’s longstanding. It’s sad to see her in this position given the Liberal Party has provided her the opportunity (to be a senator),” Mr Dutton told 2GB.
“Connie is a person of great capability. She’s been upset for a long time … It’s a tough business.
“I would never be in a position where I would be criticising my party.”
Earlier, independent senator Jacqui Lambie said she had “no doubt” that Mr Morrison was an “absolute bully”, becoming the third senator this week to make the accusation.
Senator Pauline Hanson had on Wednesday said she “absolutely backed up” Senator Fierravanti-Wells’ claims.
Senator Lambie said the way Mr Morrison had treated some within his party was “atrocious”.
“I have no doubt that he is a bully, I’ve dealt with him one-on-one,” Senator Lambie told the Nine Network.
“(Senator Fierravanti-Wells) is one of the top performers. I don’t care if you have personal differences – if they are the best person for the job, then you should put them in the job.
“Scott Morrison got everything he deserved. Good on her, I imagine she’s been seething for a long, long time. Good on her.”
Senator Fierravanti-Wells used her speech to suggest members of the party were “despairing” at their prospects at the upcoming election and could turn away from the party.
“Morrison and Hawke have ruined the Liberal Party in NSW by trampling its constitution,” the conservative said on Tuesday night.
“They blame Morrison for this. Our members do not want to help in the upcoming election.”
Mr Morrison was asked about the bullying allegations on Wednesday and said he understood Senator Fierravanti-Wells was “disappointed” about being relegated on the senate ticket.
“I know Connie is disappointed, having lost a preselection of some 500 members at the weekend,” he told ABC radio.
“I strongly supported her and ensured that she was able to be preselected.”
Liberal senator Jane Hume backed up Mr Morrison on Thursday morning.
“I can safely say out loud and upfront (that he has not bullied me),” she told ABC Radio.
Senator Lambie said Mr Morrison and Mr Hawke had used “bullying tactics” to move Senator Fierravanti-Wells aside.
“There has to be a selection process in place. You can’t captain’s pick just because you like somebody,” she said.
“You should put the country first and if you don’t, then it’s time to leave.
“She is a top performer. This comes down to personal differences. This is not based on merit when it comes to Morrison.
“I don’t care what anyone says about him. He is an absolute bully.”
The accusations levelled against Mr Morrison comes after the Prime Minister sought to put pressure on Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese about alleged bullying suffered by the late Labor senator Kimberley Kitching.
Labor frontbencher Tanya Plibersek said allegations against Mr Morrison were coming from multiple sides of politics, unlike controversy surrounding the treatment of Ms Kitching before her death.
“Really, this is not just one person making a complaint but a series of people coming out and making a complaint,” Ms Plibersek said.
“This is something that’s happening within the Liberal Party with One Nation, with Jacqui Lambie … They are all people who have had to sit in a room and negotiate with the Prime Minister at different times.
“It’s instructive that they’ve each had the same experience.”
