Prime Minister Scott Morrison says “no one cares” if his feelings are hurt in the wake of alleged explosive text messages revealed on Monday.
Mr Morrison was questioned by Network 10 political editor Peter van Onselen at the National Press Club about text messages reportedly between former NSW premier Gladys Berejiklian and an unnamed senior Liberal minister.
Ms Berejiklian allegedly described Mr Morrison as a “horrible, horrible person”, while the minister was more scathing, calling the Prime Minister a “fraud” and “complete psycho”.
Mr Morrison responded to van Onselen by saying he didn’t know “who you’re referring to, or the basis of what you’ve put to me”.
“But I obviously don’t agree with it, and I don’t think that is my record,” he said.
Appearing on morning television on Tuesday, Mr Morrison said he and Ms Berejiklian had “always” had positive dealings with each other.
But, when asked if it had hurt, Mr Morrison said whether it did or not “doesn’t matter”.
“People say nasty things about you as Prime Minister all the time. It goes with the job, but the job isn’t about what people say here and there,” he told Sunrise on Wednesday.
On Monday, Network 10 revealed messages in which Ms Berejiklian allegedly accused the Prime Minister of being obsessed with “petty political point scoring” during the Black Summer Bushfires.
“Lives are at stake today and he is just obsessed with petty political point scoring,” the message reportedly said.
Ms Berejiklian also reportedly xjmtzywwrote she was “so disappointed and gutted” that Mr Morrison was on holiday in Hawaii as the deadly disaster unfolded.
In another message, Ms Berejiklian told the minister Mr Morrison had been “actively spreading lies” about her, to which the unnamed minister responded “desperate and jealous”.
Ms Berejiklian released a statement on Tuesday, saying she had “no recollection” of the messages.
“Let me reiterate my very strong support for Prime Minister Morrison, and all he is doing for our nation during these very challenging times,” she said.
“I also strongly believe he is the best person to lead our nation for years to come.”
Mr Morrison said he appreciated what Ms Berejiklian had said.
“I think we’ve worked very well together as a premier and a Prime Minister to do very great things for NSW … particularly through the pandemic,” he said.
“We work very closely. So I can’t speak to the other things that are all anonymous and as Gladys says she doesn’t recollect it.
“It’s certainly not a conversation her and I have ever had.”
