Scott Morrison’s promise of change rejected by several Q+A panelists as Liberal senator says he would rather see Labor in power than a hung parliament

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has promised to change and be less of a “bulldozer” if he is re-elected on Saturday, but at Q+A on Thursday night, multiple panelists rejected that claim.

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Both sides’ proposed housing and economic policies have been questioned. Many panelists asked about Scott Morrison’s ability to change as he said he would. Liberal Senator James Paterson prefers a Labor majority government to one that relies on crossbench support.

Mr. Morrison has been labeled a “liar” by French President Emmanuel Macron and criticized in leaked comments from members of his party. His character has been questioned by audience member Brenda McGowan, who wrote his interview on ABC’s 7.30 with Leigh Sales on Monday night as further proof that he cannot change.

Former independent Indi member Cathy McGowan said she would love to see Mr. Morrison change, especially in handling women’s issues and showing empathy.

“There is enormous room for improvement in our government,” said Ms. McGo.wan.

“I just want what’s best for Australia – and if Scott Morrison can get to this stage of the election and honestly say he hasn’t been as good as he could have been, and he could have been better, then cheers.” I do.”

When Liberal Senator James Paterson was given a chance to defend his leader, Liberal Senator James Paterson said issues raised during Morrison’s tenure — including COVID, wildfires, and floods — required quick decision-making and determination but that he believed that the Prime Minister could change his ways if he were re-elected.

“Hopefully, these are now peaceful and prosperous and conflict-free times and will require a different leadership style,” Senator Paterson said.

“I think he signaled that.

“He led a very hard and small government in times of crisis where decisions had to be made quickly, where you couldn’t go through the normal deliberation and careful consideration, but you had to make decisions on the spot.”

As host David Speers asked if that meant a “kinder, gentler Scott Morrison,” Senator Paterson said he thought so.

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That claim, however, was not taken up by Labor member for Macnamara in Victoria J,osh Burns, or Peter Hartcher, the political editor for The Age and Sydney Morning Herald.

Hartcher was particularly aggressive regarding Morrison’s character and used religious parlance to deliver on Mr. Morrison’s promise of change.

“It was like a deathbed conversion,” Hartcher said of the prime minister’s promise.

“Looking at electoral oblivion, he decided he should change.”

When asked if he thought Morrison might change, Hartcher replied no.

“I think you judge someone by their track record,” he said.

“James has said that ‘kinder and softer’ would be a better mode, but the point is that a leader has to respond to whatever circumstances are present.

“In a major crisis w,e could have used more of ‘Bulldozer’ Morrison; with wildfires and the floods, the country called on Scott Morrison to take leadership in those crises,  and they hadn’t.

“Kinder and softer…when there were crises with a… [alleged] rape was committed in the ministerial wing of the parliament building, while other atrocities were going on, he could have shown more empathy.

“When there was a women’s march for justice in the parliament building, he refused to meet.”

The alleged rape is currently under investigation by authorities.

Mr. Burns had informed him that Labor had committed itself to character assassination of the Prime Minister. Still, he stood his ground, saying that Labor could only have benefited from what others said.

“It is not the Labor Party that has effectively made character assessments of Scott Morrison, but members of the Liberal Party: Gladys Berejiklian, Malcolm Turnbull, even the President of France Emmanuel Macron famously said, ‘I don’t think – I know he a liar’,” said Mr. Burns.

“I think there’s been a long line of people who wanted to judge his character.

“Going back to Brenda’s question, I’d say thheoesn’t change.

“This is as good as he’s going to get.

“This man has been a handbrake to climate action, a handbrake to an integrity committee.”

‘Out of touch’: coalition housing plan in doubt

The hits wame for Mr. M. Morrison when audience member Leah Sawell criticized the government’s plan to give Australians 40 percent, capped at $50,000 from their pension, to make a down payment on a house.

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The 35-year-old tenant said she was shocked by the announcement, as she suggested the prime minister was out of touch with Australians about the cost of living.

“I was shocked by this announcement to raise $50,000 to buy a house,” Ms. Sawell told the panel.

“Scott Morrison’s skin to assume I even have $50,000… he’s so out of touch, especially with women’s issues.

“After surviving domestic violence and violence and in my twenties of Centrelink’s poverty rate, I have less than $30,000 in my super.”

She then asked Senator Paterson if he knew if women were involved when the plan was hatched.

The senator said he sympathized with Ms. S.awell before confirming that Pensions Secretary Jane Hume was involved in formulating the policy before defending it.

“I understand that this is not a policy that works for everyone,” he said.

“Some people will take it up,  and some pent, but part of your story was interesting.

“You said you pay more on rent than on a mortgage. For some people,t would help them if they could take money out of retirement, which thwhichould gives them the down payment they need to buy a house and a lower mortgage repayment instead of higher rent.

“I accept that it may not work for you and not for everyone, but for some people, it’s a game-changer.”

Labor costs under the microscope

As the coalition came under fire for those policies, Labor was also questioned about their spending plans after revealing costs amounting to $7.4 billion added to the budget deficit.

When asked, given inflation, shouldn’t we “spend less”? Burns redefendedabor’s plans, especially to raise the minimum wage.

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“We should have a raise for our minimum wage earners,” he said.

“We’re talking about people who make $20.33 an hour, who make about the same as the Prime Minister in about half a day in a week.

“Our cost differences are $7 billion versus the future estimates, which is quite modest.

“It’s about productivity measures… investing in childcare so women and families can get back to work, making medicines cheaper so families can make sure they get the medicine they need.”

Hartcher suggested that by announcing that spending level, Labor was being hypocritical.

“Labor, which had been highly critical of the government, has now repeated it and added another $7 billion.

“Labor is just as irresponsible.”

Paterson shocks Speers with pro-Labor comments

A..n interesting question in the federal election is whether small parties and independents will raise their votes enough to maintain a balance of power or lead to a pending parliament.

Ms. M. McGowan elected an independent Indi member in 2013, said she thought only three independents could win seats.

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She did not nominate it ut said: “One in Melbourne, I think, one in Sydney, and one in Perth”, before adding that she believed many would pupressureational Party MPs.

“There is also a real movement in the country, in the National Party seats,” she said.

“ThereSome National Party seats come very close, and I think there will be a massive recount on election night.”

The idea was something Senator Paterson was concerned about when he made a startling comment in support of Labor about people voting for independents.

“I think it’s a vote for a weaker government and a weaker country, leading to uncertainty,” he said.

“In uncertain times, that’s the last thing we need.

“I want a government with a strong majority. Of course, I’d rather have a Liberal/National government, but if not, I’d rather have a Labor government than a weakly mounted parliament.”

Pressured by his comments from Speers, Senator Paterson said he would refer the coalition to remain in power, but a majority government would come anyway.

“If Labor is successful, if they deliver the Prime Minister, I’d rather they can do it on their own rather than relying on the cross-benchers.”

Watch the full episode of Q+A on iview.

Posted 2 hours ago Thu May 19, 2022 a,t 2:10 PM, Updated 1 hour ago one u May 19, 2022 a,t 2:59 PM