Morrison defends record despite loss
Scott Morrison said his conservative government had left Australia in a robust condition, even as voters on Saturday punished him for his handling of issues including climate change and the pandemic that helped give the centre-left Opposition its biggest victory for almost a decade.
Morrison, 54, said he would step down as head of the Liberal party after conceding defeat to the Labor party and leader Anthony Albanese.
A former tourism marketer before switching to politics, Morrison was labelled the “accidental Prime Minister” in 2018 when his government colleagues chose him to replace thenleader Malcolm Turnbull.
Morrison sprung a major surprise by leading the coalition to victory in 2019 said to be unwinnable.
He has since been deeply criticised for dragging the chain on climate change and for not establishing a promised integrity and corruption watchdog overseeing national politicians.
Still Morrison, after congratulating Albanese, struck a proud and defiant tone in defending his and his Government’s record, focusing on the economy, his administration’s work to stop refugees coming to the country by boats, and on bolstering the nation’s defences.