Hard-hat sighting heralds election
AUSTRALIANS have been told to “buckle up” for six months of election campaigning, with Prime Minister Scott Morrison looking increasingly likely to send voters to the polls in May.
Mr Morrison, who on Friday called himself the “underdog”, has been on the road in NSW and Victoria this week, and political commentators have been quick to point out he appears to be in election mode, with a major announcement being made while donning a hard-hat.
Key government figures have been pressed for more details all week as to when the election will be called but have remained tight-lipped.
The last possible day an election can be held is May 21.
Defence Minister Peter Dutton gave the best clue yet on Friday morning that a May election is increasingly likely.
“I think it’s another six months, so buckle up,” he told Nine. “We live in a great democracy. You should celebrate it.”
Deputy Opposition Leader Richard Marles said there was “no doubt” there was another six months left of campaigning.
“But to be honest, when I look at Scott Morrison, he’s always in election mode because it’s always about the politics, never about the substance,” Mr Marles said.
Mr Morrison was asked by Neil Mitchell on 3AW whether he believed he was starting from behind as the “underdog”, to which he agreed.
“I think that’s where we are, I think that’s true. That’s not uncommon for incumbent governments, on more than one occasion that’s been the case,” he said.
“As we get closer to that time, I think people will start to frame their decision. The point I’m making is simply: How we secure Australia’s economic recovery is the big challenge now. We’ve come through this pandemic with one of the lowest fatality rates, strongest economies and highest vaccination rates in the world.
“And now we’ve got to embrace this economic recovery, and that means shifting from the pandemic mindset … not the government telling people what to do.”
The Prime Minister was also questioned about his honesty in the wake of the French submarine dispute, telling 3AW he didn’t believe he had told a lie in public life.
The questioning came after French President Emmanuel Macron accused Mr Morrison of deceiving him over the decision to scrap the French submarine deal in favour of securing nuclear technology from the US and UK.
Mr Morrison said his job required him to have “thick skin” and he had learned not to take things personally.
“I have learned in public life over a long period of time to not have a thin skin. To not get bitter, to stay focused on the job,” he said.
“You’ll get slings and arrows … if you haven’t got the thick skin to deal with that, then you’re in the wrong job.”