Scott Morrison ‘not considering’ quitting if election loses, claims he can defy polls again and win second term on Saturday

Prime Minister Scott Morrison claims he can defy national polls and win Saturday’s federal election.

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Scott Morrison says he is not considering stepping down as party leader if the coalition loses and is “not considering this is the scenario”. If the alliance wins, ” he says, “people just really want me to be more inclusive in how I move forward.”

Despite the positive message, some of his Liberal colleagues are increasingly concerned that national polls suggest a Labor landslide this weekend is the most likely outcome.

The opposition believes it is competitive or at the forefront of a string of seats. It only needs to win seven to claim a majority, while the government cannot afford to lose one.

But in a lengthy 07:30 interview about his prospects and time in office, the prime minister said he was not considering stepping down after Saturday’s poll, even in the event of defeat or a pending parliament.

“No, that’s not something I think about because I don’t consider this the scenario,” Morrison said.

Josh Frydenberg, or possibly Peter Dutton, are considered the most likely next Liberal leaders if the coalition loses. However, that would depend on keeping both men and final numbers in the banquet hall.

Some independent candidates, such as Zali Steggall, will unlikely support the coalition in a hung parliament if Morrison remains the leader.

The prime minister said he would accept the election results as he relies on Australians’ choices at the polls but would not “speculate” about what could happen on Saturday.

“I am focused on one thing, and that is making sure that our government continues,” he added.

“The only person who has announced their retirement is you, Leigh, and I wish you the best of luck.”

Prime Minister promises to be ‘more inclusive.’

Scott Morrison says having to act quickly and decisively during the pandemic “sometimes means you can’t take everyone with you”. (ABC News: Andrew Kennedy)

In another concession that his popularity is hampering the government vote in some key seats, the prime minister again suggested he would change if given a second chance.

“People just want me to be more inclusive in how I move forward,” he said, dismissing claims that voters were angry with him for failing to take responsibility for some of the government’s failures.

“It’s Labour’s criticisms,” he added.

But he did suggest that he may have alienated some voters by “acting decisively” during the pandemic.

“During a crisis and a pandemic, you have to act quickly, be decisive, and that means that sometimes you can’t take everyone with you, and you don’t always get everything done right,” said Mr. Morrison.

“But in the next phase, we can bring people forward about that plan.

“I’ll tell you one thing: the only way Australians can access their pensions to buy their own homes is if they vote liberal and nationally because the Labor Party will never do it.”

Liberals admit that the Prime Minister and his deputy, Nationals Leader Barnaby Joyce, are unpopular in some inner-city seats in Sydney and Melbourne that have been targeted by independents backed by the Climate 200 group.

As a result, Mr. Morrison’s campaign focused primarily on seats in suburban and regional areas in an attempt to evict Labor voters.

“Many of these places, [inner city seats], I suppose they are less vulnerable to the impact of the economy than, say, many of the places I’ve been in this campaign,” he said when asked why some traditionally liberal seats in the heart of the country to be threatened.

“But I do know this. You can’t tackle climate change and invest in the technology you need to deal with climate change unless you have a strong economy.”

Labor strategy is ‘according to plan.’

Some in Labor are wary of polls following the 2019 election (ABC News: Nick Haggarty)

Senior members of the Labor opposition remain deeply scarred after losing the 2019 election, with some refusing to believe the situation is as rosy as the polls suggest.

Some believe the party has successfully stuck to its strategy for three years.

“I know people will decide on this next week when it’s all done and dusted, but from my point of view, it has gone according to plan,” said shadow Treasury Secretary Katy Gallagher.

“It was about looking at Anthony’s leadership; it was about looking at what happened in 2019, what went wrong, capturing the things you want to campaign for, bringing the policy work together, and in this fourth quarter… kicking the wind.”

But as a sign of how nervous the PvdA remains about this campaign, she immediately added: “feel wood”.

Posted 7 hours ago7 hours ago on May 16, 2022, at 10:13 AM, Updated 5 hours ago5 hours ago on May 16, 2022, at 12:04 PM