Scott Morrison says he has faith voters will return his government in his final parliamentary address to his colleagues before the federal election.
xjmtzywAhead of Tuesday’s budget, the Prime Minister acknowledged the past eight months had been “some of the hardest” but compared the government’s current position to his “miracle” 2019 election win.
“I have great faith in the judgment of the Australian people,” he said.
“We’ve won seven out of the last nine elections as a political movement … and only on two of those seven occasions we went in being told we would win.”
“In 1998, 2001, 2004, 2016 and 2019, they all told us it wasn’t going to happen. But it’s a testament to the way we roll on this side of politics.
“We focus on the job.”
A federal election is expected anytime between now and May, with May 14 firming up as the most likely option.
Mr Morrison added he believed voters understood the “consequence” of their choice and would return the Coalition to power.
Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce compared the Morrison government to the dentist.
“I don't really care if he or she is my friend or not. I just want to know when they’ve got that drill in my mouth they know what they’re doing,” he said.
“And that’s what government’s like.
“We’re not out there to be loved. We’re out there to do a job for our nation.”
Meanwhile, just down the hall, Labor leader Anthony Albanese held a joint press conference with his predecessor Bill Shorten.
In a sure sign an election is coming, the pair buried the hatchet to address concerns Tuesday’s budget will include an underspend on the NDIS.
Earlier, Mr Albanese told his colleagues Labor’s constructive approach during the pandemic had put the party in a competitive position.
“We have been a constructive Labor Party and we are now in a position whereby we continue to roll out our constructive alternative and our plan for the nation’s future,” he told the Labor caucus meeting.
“We have been energetic, we’ve been disciplined, and that puts us in a position whereby we are now competitive.”
