Scott Morrison

For other people named Scott Morrison, see Scott Morrison (disambiguation).

"Scomo" redirects here. For other uses, see Scomo (disambiguation).

• Sir Peter Cosgrove
• David Hurley

Jenny Warren

​

(m. 1990)​

The Honourable Scott Morrison
Official portrait, 2021
30th Prime Minister of Australia
In office 24 August 2018 –23 May 2022
Deputy	Michael McCormack Barnaby Joyce
Preceded by	Malcolm Turnbull
Succeeded by	Anthony Albanese
Children	2
Parent	John Douglas Morrison (father)
Education	University of New South Wales (BSc Hons) [1]
Signature
Website	scottmorrison.com.au (dead) (21 Feb 2024 archive)
Nickname	ScoMo [2]

Scott John Morrison (born 13 May 1968) is an Australian former politician who served as the 30th prime minister of Australia from 2018 to 2022, holding office as leader of the Liberal Party of Australia. He was the member of parliament (MP) for the New South Wales seat of Cook from 2007 until 2024. On 23 January 2024, he announced his departure from politics, and resigned on 28 February 2024. ^[3]

Morrison was born in Sydney and studied economic geography at the University of New South Wales. He worked as director of the New Zealand Office of Tourism and Sport from 1998 to 2000 and was managing director of Tourism Australia from 2004 to 2006. Morrison also was state director of the New South Wales Liberal Party from 2000 to 2004. He was first elected to the Australian House of Representatives at the 2007 election as a member of parliament (MP) for the division of Cook in New South Wales, and was quickly appointed to the shadow cabinet.

After the Liberal-National coalition's victory at the 2013 election, Morrison was appointed Minister for Immigration and Border Protection in the Abbott government, where he was responsible for implementing Operation Sovereign Borders. In a reshuffle the following year, he became Minister for Social Services. He was later promoted to the role of Treasurer in September 2015, after Malcolm Turnbull replaced Abbott as prime minister. In August 2018, Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton unsuccessfully challenged Turnbull for the leadership of the Liberal Party. Leadership tensions continued, and the party voted to hold a second leadership ballot days later, with Turnbull choosing not to stand. In that ballot, Morrison was seen as a compromise candidate and defeated both Dutton and Foreign Minister Julie Bishop to become party leader and thus prime minister in August 2018.

Morrison won a second term after leading the Coalition to an upset victory in the 2019 election. ^[4] Morrison drew near unanimous condemnation for taking a holiday during Australia's 2019–20 bushfire season and for his government's response to the disaster. ^[5] Morrison also faced criticism for his response to the 2021 Parliament sexual misconduct allegations. ^[6] During the COVID-19 pandemic, Morrison established the National Cabinet, and Australia received praise during 2020 for being one of the few Western countries to successfully suppress the virus, ^[7] though the slow initial pace of the COVID-19 vaccination rollout was criticised. ^[8] In foreign policy, Morrison oversaw the signing of the AUKUS security pact and increased tensions between Australia and China ^[9] and Australia and France. ^[10] Morrison directed logistical support to Ukraine as part of the international effort against Russia in the wake of the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine. Morrison has also been criticised for his government's response to the 2022 eastern Australia floods, ^{[11] [12] [13]} and his perceived inaction on climate change. ^{[14] [15]} The government was defeated at the 2022 election and Morrison stepped down as leader of the Liberal Party; Peter Dutton was elected unopposed to replace him. ^{[16] [17]}

After leaving office, Morrison became involved in a scandal after it was revealed that he had secretly held several ministerial positions while serving as prime minister, which led to Parliament passing a censure motion against him. ^[18]

Early life and education

Morrison was born in the suburb of Waverley in Sydney, ^{[19] [20]} the younger of two sons born to Marion (née Smith) and John Douglas Morrison (1934–2020). ^[21] His father was a policeman who served on the Waverley Municipal Council, including a single term as mayor. ^[22] Morrison's maternal grandfather was born in New Zealand. ^[23] His paternal grandmother was the niece of noted Australian poet Dame Mary Gilmore. In 2012, on the 50th anniversary of her death, he delivered a tribute to her in federal parliament. ^[24] Morrison is descended from William Roberts, a convict who was convicted of stealing yarn and transported to Australia on the First Fleet in 1788. ^[25]

Morrison grew up in the suburb of Bronte. He had a brief career as a child actor, appearing in several television commercials and small roles in local shows. ^[26] Morrison attended Sydney Boys High School before going on to complete a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) honours degree in applied economic geography at the University of New South Wales. ^{[1] [27] [28]} His honours thesis, a demographical analysis of Christian Brethren assemblies in Sydney, was deposited in the University of Manchester Library's Christian Brethren Collection. ^{[29] [30]} Morrison contemplated studying theology at Regent College in Vancouver, Canada, but he instead chose to enter the workforce after completing his undergraduate education, in part due to the disapproval of his father. ^[31]

Early career

After graduating from university, Morrison worked as national policy and research manager for the Property Council of Australia from 1989 to 1995. ^[1] He then moved into tourism, serving as deputy chief executive of the Australian Tourism Task Force and then general manager of the Tourism Council of Australia; the latter was managed by Bruce Baird, whom he would eventually succeed in federal parliament. ^[26]

In 1998, Morrison moved to New Zealand to become director of the newly created Office of Tourism and Sport. He formed a close relationship with New Zealand's tourism minister, Murray McCully, and was involved with the creation of the long-running "100% Pure New Zealand" campaign. ^{[26] [32]} He left this position in 2000, a year before the contract schedule. ^[33]

Morrison returned to Australia in 2000, to become state director of the New South Wales division of the Liberal Party. He oversaw the party's campaigns in the 2001 federal election and in the 2003 New South Wales state election. ^[22]

Tourism Australia

In 2004, Morrison left the NSW Liberal Party post to become the inaugural managing director of Tourism Australia, which had been established by the Howard government. His appointment was controversial due to its openly political nature. ^[22] He signed an initial three-year contract. ^[34] Morrison approved and defended the contentious "So where the bloody hell are you?" advertising campaign featuring Lara Bingle. His contract was terminated in July 2006, which at the time was attributed to conflict with tourism minister Fran Bailey over the government's plans to further integrate the agency into the Australian Public Service. ^[35] He had been awarded a pay rise by the Remuneration Tribunal three weeks before his sacking. A 2019 investigation by The Saturday Paper suggested Morrison was sacked due to concerns that Tourism Australia was not following government procurement guidelines for three contracts relating to the "So where the bloody hell are you?" campaign, with a total value of $184 million. A 2008 report from the Auditor-General found that "information had been kept from the board, procurement guidelines breached and private companies engaged before paperwork was signed and without appropriate value-for-money assessments". It was suggested that M&C Saatchi, which had previously worked with Morrison on the "100% Pure" campaign in New Zealand, received favourable treatment in the tendering process. ^[34] In 2022, following the ministerial positions controversy, Fran Bailey revealed that Morrison showed no respect for his colleagues at Tourism Australia and he left her feeling bullied, also confirming that he “point-blank refused” to provide her or the board with any documentation or to answer questions about how the ad campaign was awarded to Saatchi. ^[36]

This episode and, more generally, his career in marketing led to his satirical sobriquet, "Scotty from Marketing," ^[37] originating with the satirical news website The Betoota Advocate in August 2018. It was taken up on Twitter in early 2019, and spiked at the height of the bushfire crisis on 29 December 2019. ^[38] In January 2020, Morrison referred to the name as a "snarky comment" used by the Labor Party to discredit him. ^{[39] [37]}

Political career

Opposition (2007–2013)

Morrison sought Liberal preselection for the division of Cook, an electorate in the southern suburbs of Sydney which includes Cronulla, Caringbah, and Miranda, for the 2007 election, following the retirement of Bruce Baird, who had been the member since 1998. ^{[40] [41]} He lost the ballot to Michael Towke, a telecommunications engineer and the candidate of the Liberals' right faction, by 82 votes to 8. ^[42] Paul Fletcher who came closest to Towke received 70 votes. Fletcher went on to win Liberal preselection for the North Shore seat of Bradfield. ^[43]

However, allegations surfaced that Towke had engaged in branch stacking and had embellished his resume. ^[44] The state executive of the Liberal Party disendorsed Towke and held a new pre-selection ballot, which Morrison won. The allegations subsequently proved to be false, and The Daily Telegraph was forced to pay an undisclosed amount to settle a defamation suit filed by Towke. ^[42] At the general election, Morrison suffered a two-party swing of over six percent against Labor candidate Mark Buttigieg, but was able to retain the seat on the strength of winning 52 percent of the primary vote. ^[45] In 2022, Towke accused Morrison of engaging in "racial vilification" during the 2007 preselection, including "saying Mr Morrison told party members they should not vote for him because he was from a Lebanese family and because of rumours he was a Muslim", a claim Morrison denied. ^[46]

Morrison in 2009

In September 2008, Morrison was appointed to Malcolm Turnbull's coalition front bench as shadow minister for housing and local government. ^[47] In December 2009, he became shadow minister for immigration and citizenship, coming into the shadow cabinet for the first time during Tony Abbott's first cabinet reshuffle shortly after winning the leadership. ^[48]

In December 2010, forty-eight asylum seekers died in the Christmas Island boat disaster. ^[49] In February 2011, Morrison publicly questioned the decision of the Gillard Labor government to pay for the relatives of the victims to travel to funerals in Sydney, arguing that the same privilege was not extended to Australian citizens. After fellow Liberal and shadow treasurer Joe Hockey disagreed with Morrison's statements, Morrison said that the timing of his comments was insensitive, but did not back away from the comments themselves. ^{[50] [51]} Other Liberal Party members including former prime minister Malcolm Fraser and former opposition leader John Hewson also criticised Morrison for his comments. ^[52] In the same month, it was revealed that Morrison had "urged the shadow cabinet to capitalise on the electorate's growing concerns" about Muslims and appeal to the public perception of their "inability to integrate" to gain votes. ^[53]

In February 2013, Morrison said that the police should be notified of where asylum seekers are living in the community if any antisocial behaviour has occurred, and that there should be strict guidelines for the behaviour of those currently on bridging visas while they await the determination of their claims. ^[54] The new code of conduct was released by the immigration minister for more than 20,000 irregular maritime arrivals living in the community on bridging visas. ^{[55] [ better source needed ]}

Abbott government (2013–2015)

Morrison is sworn in as Minister for Social Services by Governor-General Sir Peter Cosgrove, 2014

Following the Coalition's victory at the 2013 federal election, Morrison was appointed Minister for Immigration and Border Protection in the Abbott government and included in cabinet. ^[1]

Based on a series of off-the-record interviews, in June 2014 Morrison was identified by Fairfax Media as the leader of an informal grouping of "economically moderate, or wet" government MPs, also including Greg Hunt, Stuart Robert, and Josh Frydenberg. It was linked with another moderate grouping led by Christopher Pyne. It was further reported that Morrison had unsuccessfully argued in cabinet for a $25 million bailout of SPC Ardmona. ^[56]

Immigration

On 18 September 2013, Morrison launched Operation Sovereign Borders, the new government's strategy aimed at stopping unauthorised boats from entering Australian waters. ^[57] Cabinet documents from this time revealed in 2018 that Morrison asked for mitigation strategies to avoid granting permanent visas to 700 refugees. ^[58] His office reported that there were 300 boats and 20,587 arrivals in 2013 to only 1 boat and 157 arrivals for all of 2014. ^[59] The UNHCR expressed concerns that the practice may violate the Refugee Convention. ^[60] In September 2014, it was reported that zero asylum seekers had died at sea since December 2013, compared with more than 1,100 deaths between 2008 and 2013. ^[61] The annual refugee intake, which had been increased to 20,000 for 2012–13 by the previous government, was reduced to 13,750, the level it had been in 2011–12. Morrison stated that "Not one of those places will go to anyone who comes on a boat to Australia [...] they will go to people who have come the right way." ^{[62] [63]}

Morrison defended his use of the terms "illegal arrivals" and "illegal boats," saying that "I've always referred to illegal entry ... I've never claimed that it's illegal to claim asylum." ^{[64] [65]}

During his time as Immigration Minister, Morrison's dealings with the media and accountability to the public were widely criticised by journalists, Labor and Greens senators, and others for refusing to provide details about the matters within his portfolio. Morrison asserted that to reveal details of operations would be to play into the hands of people smugglers who used this information to plan illegal smuggling operations. ^[66] On many occasions Morrison refused to answer questions about the status of asylum seekers or boats coming to and from Australia, often on the basis that he would not disclose "on water" or "operational" matters. ^{[67] [68] [69] [70] [71]}

In November 2014, the Australian Human Rights Commission delivered a report to the government which found that Morrison failed in his responsibility to act in the best interests of children in detention during his time as Minister. The overarching finding of the inquiry was that the prolonged, mandatory detention of asylum seeker children caused them significant mental and physical illness and developmental delays, in breach of Australia's international obligations. ^[72] The report was criticised by Tony Abbott as being politically motivated, with regard to the timing of the report's release after the Abbott government had taken office. The government released the report publicly in February 2015. ^[73]

In early December 2014, Morrison had the Migration and Maritime Powers Legislation Amendment (Resolving the Asylum Legacy Caseload) Bill 2014 passed through the Australian Parliament. The bill gave Morrison more power than any previous minister in dealing with people seeking asylum in Australia, including the power to return asylum seekers to their place of origin, detain asylum seekers without charge, and refuse asylum seekers who arrive by boat access to the Refugee Review Tribunal. ^{[74] [75]} The bill reintroduced temporary protection visas to deal specifically with the backlog of 30,000 people who had arrived under the previous Labor government but who had yet to be processed. The bill allowed those on bridging visas to apply for work, and increased the refugee intake to 18,750. ^[76]

Social services

Morrison in 2014

In a cabinet reshuffle in late December 2014, Morrison was appointed the Minister for Social Services and ceased to be Minister for Immigration and Border Protection. ^[77] As minister, Morrison changed indexation changes to the Family Tax Benefits payment. ^{[78] [79]} In April 2015, he announced the introduction of the "No Jab, No Pay" policy, which withholds family and childcare benefits from parents who do not vaccinate their children. ^[80] His time as minister was criticised by his opposition counterpart Jenny Macklin, who said that "Scott Morrison was appointed to clean up Kevin Andrews' mess but left behind more chaos, confusion and cuts." ^[81]

In March 2015, three hundred alumni of Sydney Boys High School signed a letter protesting Morrison's attendance at an alumni fund-raising event. The protest letter expressed the opinion that the school should not celebrate a person who has "so flagrantly disregarded human rights." ^[82]

During May 2015, Morrison promoted his plan for a $3.5 billion overhaul of the childcare subsidies system. His substantial advertising efforts led to claims that he was overshadowing the role of Treasurer Joe Hockey. Morrison insisted that he did not desire to take over the position of Treasurer despite his strong performances. ^[83]

Morrison was the minister who established the Robodebt scheme that sent out an estimated 526,000 incorrect automated debt notices to mostly low-income Australians. This scheme was later found by the Royal Commission into the Robodebt Scheme to be unlawful and "cruel and crude". ^{[84] [85] [86]}

The Royal Commission report stated that "Mr Morrison allowed cabinet to be misled because he did not make that obvious inquiry. He took the proposal to cabinet without necessary information as to what it actually entailed and without the caveat that it required legislative and policy change to permit the use of the ATO PAYG data in the way proposed in circumstances where: he knew that the proposal still involved income averaging; only a few weeks previously he had been told of that caveat; nothing had changed in the proposal; and he had done nothing to ascertain why the caveat no longer applied. He failed to meet his ministerial responsibility to ensure that cabinet was properly informed about what the proposal actually entailed and to ensure that it was lawful." ^[87]

Turnbull government (2015–2018)

Morrison was appointed as Treasurer in the Turnbull government in September 2015, replacing Joe Hockey. ^{[88] [89]} In his first press conference as Treasurer, he indicated a reduction in government expenditure and stated that the Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook (MYEFO) and White Paper on tax reform would arrive on time. ^[90]

In May 2016, Morrison handed down the 2016 Australian federal budget. It included the introduction of a 40 percent diverted profits tax (popularly known as the "Google tax"), which is an anti-avoidance measure designed to prevent base erosion and profit shifting. It was passed into law as the Diverted Profits Tax Act 2017 and took effect on 1 July 2017. ^[91] The new tax received criticism from some quarters, with the Corporate Tax Association stating that it would have "unpredictable outcomes" and negatively affect Australian business. ^{[92] [93]}

In February 2017, Morrison addressed the House of Representatives while holding a lump of coal, stating "This is coal. Don't be afraid. Don't be scared. It won't hurt you," and accusing those concerned about the environmental impact of the coal industry of having "an ideological, pathological fear of coal." ^[94] He handed down the 2017 Australian federal budget in May 2017, reporting a $33.2 billion deficit. ^[95]

In December 2017, the government introduced the Royal Commission into Misconduct in the Banking, Superannuation and Financial Services Industry (popularly known as the Banking Royal Commission). Morrison originally opposed the creation of a royal commission, believing that a Senate inquiry would be sufficient. He voted against a royal commission 23 times between April 2016 and June 2017, and in September 2016 described it as "nothing more than crass populism seeking to undermine confidence in the banking and financial system, which is key to jobs and growth in this country." ^[96] In announcing that the royal commission would take place, Morrison described it as a "regrettable but necessary action." ^[97] In response to the commission's findings, in April 2018 he announced the introduction of new criminal and civil penalties for financial misconduct, including potential prison sentences of 10 years for individuals and fines of up to $210 million for companies. ^[98]

Morrison handed down the 2018 Australian federal budget on 8 May, reporting a $14.5 billion deficit. ^[99] He subsequently rejected calls to increase the rate of the Newstart Allowance, saying "my priority is to give tax relief to people who are working and paying taxes." ^[100]

Prime Minister of Australia (2018–2022)

Main article: Morrison government

Leadership election

Further information: 2018 Liberal Party of Australia leadership spills

Morrison with Indonesian President Joko Widodo on his first overseas visit as prime minister

Morrison with U.S. President Donald Trump at the G20 Summit in Buenos Aires

Morrison with U.S. President Joe Biden at the UN General Assembly in New York City

Morrison with East Timor's president Francisco Guterres

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull called a leadership spill on 21 August 2018 in order to gauge the confidence of the Liberal Party in his leadership. ^[101] He defeated challenger Peter Dutton by 48 votes to 35. ^[102] Over the following days, there was repeated speculation about a second spill being called, without Turnbull's approval. Turnbull announced two days later that he would resign the leadership if a spill motion were passed. ^[103] Dutton, Morrison and Julie Bishop announced they would stand for the leadership if that were the case. ^[104]

A spill motion was passed on 24 August by 45 votes to 40, and Turnbull did not run as a candidate in the resulting leadership vote. On the first ballot, Dutton received 38 votes, Morrison 36 votes, and Bishop 11 votes. On the second ballot, Morrison received 45 votes and Dutton 40 votes. He thus became leader of the Liberal Party and prime minister-designate. Josh Frydenberg was elected as the party's deputy leader, in place of Bishop. ^{[105] [106]} Morrison was widely seen as a compromise candidate, who was agreeable to both the moderate supporters of Turnbull and Bishop and conservatives concerned about Dutton's electability. ^[107] He was sworn in as prime minister on the evening of 24 August. ^{[108] [109]} Upon assumption of office, Morrison would become Australia's fifth prime minister in eleven years, and the fourth prime minister in that time to enter office through a leadership spill. ^[110] Several months later, Morrison introduced new criteria for leadership spills, requiring that a two-thirds majority vote from party members would be required to trigger one, in an attempt to stop "coup culture". ^{[111] [112]}

Soon after Morrison was sworn in, Nationals backbencher Kevin Hogan moved to the crossbench in protest of the wave of Liberal spills. ^[113] Although Hogan continued to support the Coalition on confidence and supply and remained in the National party room, his departure to the crossbench and Turnbull's retirement from politics reduced the Coalition to a minority government of 74 seats. ^{[114] [115]} The Morrison government remained in minority after Turnbull's seat of Wentworth was lost to independent Kerryn Phelps at a by-election. ^{[116] [117]}

First term, 2018–2019

Further information: First Morrison ministry

Morrison made his first overseas trip as prime minister less than a week after acceding to the office. He visited the Indonesian capital of Jakarta for the Australia–Indonesia Business Forum and met with President Joko Widodo, announcing the Indonesia–Australia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement that had been negotiated under the preceding Turnbull government. ^[118]

In October 2018, Morrison announced Australia was reviewing whether to move Australia's embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, and recognising Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. ^[119] In December 2018, Morrison announced Australia has recognised West Jerusalem as the capital of Israel but will not immediately move its embassy from Tel Aviv. ^[120]

In November 2018, Morrison privately raised the issue of Xinjiang re-education camps and human rights abuses against the Uyghur Muslim minority in a meeting with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang in Singapore. ^{[121] [122]}

In March 2019, Morrison condemned the Christchurch mosque shootings as an "extremist, right-wing violent terrorist attack." He also stated that Australians and New Zealanders were family and that the Australian authorities would be cooperating with New Zealand authorities to assist with the investigation. ^[123] Morrison condemned "reckless" and "highly offensive" comments made by Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. ^[124] Erdoğan repeatedly showed video taken by the Christchurch mosque shooter to his supporters at campaign rallies for upcoming ^[update] local elections and said Australians and New Zealanders who came to Turkey with anti-Muslim sentiments "would be sent back in coffins like their grandfathers were" during the Gallipoli Campaign of World War I. ^[125]

2019 federal election

Morrison led the Coalition into the 2019 election. At time of the writs being issued, the Coalition had been behind the Labor Party in most opinion polls for previous term of parliament, leading to widespread expectations that the Coalition would lose. ^[126] However, in a significant upset, the Coalition retained its majority. ^[127] This was considered to have been caused by the unpopularity of opposition leader Bill Shorten and Labor's failure to adapt to the re-framing of the election as a choice between Morrison and Shorten. ^{[128] [129]} Claiming victory on election night, Morrison stated that he had "always believed in miracles". ^[130]

Second term, 2019–2022

Further information: Second Morrison ministry

Morrison at 45th G7 summit in Biarritz, France

Domestic affairs

Bushfires

In December 2019, Morrison faced criticism for taking an unannounced overseas holiday with his family to Hawaii, United States during the 2019–20 Australian bushfire season. ^{[131] [132] [133]} Morrison's office initially declined to comment on the length of his trip and his whereabouts, citing security concerns, and made false claims that Morrison was not in Hawaii. ^{[131] [134]} After increasing criticism from opposition politicians and on social media regarding the holiday, Morrison released a statement on 20 December that stated he "deeply regret[ted] any offence caused" and that he would cut his holiday short to return to Australia on 21 December. ^{[131] [135] [136]}

On 22 November 2021, Leader of the Opposition Anthony Albanese accused Morrison of falsely claiming in Parliament that he had informed him that he was travelling to Hawaii. ^[137]

Response to parliamentary sexual misconduct allegations

The Morrison government was widely criticised for its handling of the 2021 Australian Parliament House sexual misconduct allegations, with an Essential poll finding that 65% of respondents (including 76% of Labor supporters, 51% of Coalition supporters and 88% of Greens supporters) saying the government was more interested in protecting itself than women. ^[138] As well as the Labor and Greens parties, the government faced criticism from within its own party. Former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull, who had been made aware of the allegations against Christian Porter in 2019, criticised him for taking too long to come forward. ^[139] Former prime minister John Howard defended Morrison's decision not to open an independent inquiry into Porter's conduct. ^[140] Australian of the Year and sexual assault survivor advocate Grace Tame also criticised Morrison in a speech to the National Press Club, saying she did not believe he was creating an environment where victims were believed. She also said "It shouldn't take having children to have a conscience" in response to Morrison's statement that he'd been prompted to reflect on the issue and decide to listen to Tame after a discussion with his wife Jenny Morrison where she said to him "you have to think about this as a father. What would you want to happen if it were our girls?" ^[141] Porter resigned from his parliamentary position in September following concerns that he had accepted anonymous donations via a blind trust to pay for his legal expenses. ^[142] The following month, Morrison and the Coalition successfully voted against a motion to investigate Porter's blind trust, in turn preventing the identities of the benefactors who donated to his legal costs from being revealed. ^[143] The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tony Smith, had determined that there was a prima facie case and, in voting down the motion, the Morrison government became the first government since Federation to refuse a referral from the Speaker. ^[144] This decision attracted significant attention and criticism from the media. ^{[145] [146] [147] [148] [149]}

Afghan refugees

Morrison was also criticised for not accepting more Afghan refugees, who were fleeing the country after the Taliban seized control of the country in August 2021. ^[150] He agreed to give humanitarian visas to 3,000 Afghan refugees, fewer than other countries such as the United States and the United Kingdom. ^[151] Morrison later determined that more than 3,000 refugees may be accepted, as the original number was a "floor not a ceiling". ^[152] He would later state that he would only resettle refugees who came in through "official channels", and those who came to Australia via boat would not receive permanent residency. ^{[153] [154]}

Eastern Australia floods

Morrison was heavily condemned for his government's response to the 2022 eastern Australia floods; criticism was levelled against him for campaigning in Perth instead of being present in New South Wales, causing a relief package for flood victims to be delayed, with many critics suggesting that Morrison was prioritising marketing over the flood response. ^{[155] [156]}

Joint ministerial positions

Further information: Scott Morrison ministerial positions controversy

On 15 August 2022, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced an investigation by his office into claims that Morrison secretly appointed himself to administer several government departments during the COVID-19 pandemic. ^{[157] [158] [159]} The health minister at the time, Greg Hunt, was understood to have agreed to Morrison's position administering the health department; however, the finance minister, Mathias Cormann, was unaware that Morrison had appointed himself in a joint ministerial position. The resources minister, Keith Pitt, was aware of Morrison's self-appointment to the resources portfolio "sometime in 2021". ^[157] David Littleproud, who was the agriculture minister in Morrison's government, criticised the self-appointments as "pretty ordinary ^{[lower-alpha 1]} ". ^[157]

Later that day, the Governor-General's office confirmed that Morrison had been appointed to a number of ministerial offices, without stating which. As a change in the responsibilities of an existing minister, this had not required further swearing in but had been done by an administrative instrument; announcement of the appointments had been a matter for the government. ^{[160] [lower-alpha 2]} Constitutional law professor Anne Twomey, however, could not trace such instruments and called the process "just bizarre". ^{[161] [162]} Prime Minister Anthony Albanese ordered a search for them and is seeking legal advice from the solicitor-general. Leading members of the Morrison cabinet, not only Mathias Cormann but also Peter Dutton (then defence minister and now leader of the opposition), have said that they had not been aware of these appointments. ^{[163] [164]} Morrison initially declined to comment but later phoned 2GB to say that these three appointments—there might have been more, but he was unsure—had been "extraordinary measures" as "safeguards" during the Covid pandemic. He had got himself appointed as joint resources minister in order to be able to overrule a decision on gas exploration by the resources minister. ^[165]

The following day, 16 August, Albanese held a second press conference, confirming that Morrison was appointed to administer five departments in addition to his role administering the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet. ^{[166] [167]} Morrison was appointed to administer the Department of Health on 14 March 2020; the Department of Finance on 30 March 2020; the Department of Home Affairs on 6 May 2021, the Department of the Treasury on 6 May 2021, and the Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources on 15 April 2021. ^[167] Documents relating to these appointments were released by the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet on 17 August. ^[168]

Albanese asked the Solicitor-General for an opinion on the validity of the appointment to the resources ministry. The report, released on 23 August, advised that this appointment had been lawful, but that its secrecy "fundamentally undermined" the principles of responsible government. ^{[169] [170]}

Anthony Albanese announced an inquiry into Scott Morrison's ministerial positions, to be headed by former High Court Justice Virginia Bell. ^[171] On 25 November 2022, Bell reported that Morrison's appointment to multiple ministerial positions was "corrosive" to trust in government. She recommended legislation to ensure all ministerial appointments were made public. ^[172]

On 30 November 2022, the House of Representatives voted 86–50 for a government motion to censure Scott Morrison for failing to disclose to the parliament and the public his secret appointments to a number of ministries. All non-Coalition votes were in favour, as well as that of Liberal MP Bridget Archer; all Coalition votes were against, as well as that of Bob Katter. ^{[173] [18]}

Tribunal appointments

Two former senior judges have reported to the Commonwealth Attorney-General that, shortly before the 2022 Australian federal election was called, the Morrison government got an unusual number of people with political connections to the Coalition appointed to highly paid positions on the Administrative Appeals Tribunal. Each was appointed by the Governor-General through an administrative instrument, but the appointment was not gazetted, although there was at least one media release. In some cases, the appointee was already a member of the AAT whose term still had some time to run. In no case did the new appointment carry a specified term of office. The two former judges question whether these appointments were validly made and whether, if they were not valid, that would affect the validity of decisions that these appointees have made. ^[174]

Australian Future Leaders Foundation

The Australian Future Leaders Foundation, a leadership education programme proposed by Governor-General David Hurley, was formally established in 2021. The Morrison government allocated it $18m in funding over five years, with no formal process of approval. The Senate Standing Committee for the Scrutiny of Delegated Legislation was seeking further information and no public money had yet been paid, ^[175] although Hurley had hosted fundraising events at Government House, when the Albanese government cancelled the grant. ^[176]

Foreign affairs

At the 2019 Lowy Lecture, Scott Morrison argued that the "distinctiveness of independent nations is preserved within a framework of mutual respect".

2019 Hong Kong protests

In August 2019, Morrison called on the Chief Executive of Hong Kong to listen to protester demands, denying that the 2019–20 Hong Kong protests were showing signs of terrorism. ^[177]

2019 Turkish offensive

In October 2019, Morrison criticised the 2019 Turkish offensive into north-eastern Syria. Morrison stated that he was concerned for the safety of the Kurds living in the region and also feared that the offensive could result in a resurgence of ISIS. ^[178]

Sino–Australian relations

Further information: Australia–China relations § Morrison government

On 30 November 2020, a Chinese diplomat, Zhao Lijian, posted on his Twitter page a digitally manipulated image of an Australian soldier who appeared to hold a bloodied knife against the throat of an Afghan child. ^{[179] [180]} The image is believed to be a reference to the Brereton Report, which had been released earlier by the Australian government that month, and which details war crimes committed by the Australian Defence Force during the War in Afghanistan between 2005 and 2016. ^[181] Later that day, Morrison called a press conference, calling the image "offensive" and "truly repugnant", ^[182] and demanding a formal apology from the Chinese government. China rejected the demands for an apology on the following day, ^[183] with the artist of the image creating another artwork To Morrison in response to Morrison's demand. ^[184] The incident had the effect of unifying Australian politicians in condemning China across party lines while also drawing attention to the Brereton Report. ^[185] The incident was further seen as a sign of deteriorating relations between Australia and China. ^[186]

Morrison and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida at the COP26 climate summit in Glasgow on 2 November 2021

Relations with New Zealand

As prime minister, Morrison has defended Australia's policy of deporting non-citizens including New Zealanders who had violated its character test or committed crimes. This policy was criticised by his New Zealand counterpart Jacinda Ardern, who described it as "corrosive" to Australia–New Zealand relations in February 2020. ^{[187] [188]}

In mid-February 2021, Morrison defended the Australian policy of revoking Australian citizenship for dual nationals engaged in terrorism. The previous year, the Australian government had revoked the citizenship of dual Australian–New Zealand citizen Suhayra Aden, who had become an ISIS bride. New Zealand Prime Minister Ardern had criticised the decision, accusing Australia of abandoning its citizens. ^{[189] [190]} Following a phone conversation, the two leaders agreed to work together in the "spirit of the Australian-New Zealand relationship" to address what Ardern described as "quite a complex legal situation." ^[191]

In late May 2021, Morrison made his first state visit to New Zealand since the COVID-19 lockdown, meeting New Zealand Prime Minister Ardern in Queenstown. The two heads of governments issued a joint statement affirming bilateral cooperation on the issues of COVID-19, bilateral relations, and security issues in the Indo-Pacific. Morrison and Ardern also raised concerns about the South China Sea dispute and human rights in Hong Kong and Xinjiang. ^{[192] [193] [194]} In response to the joint statement, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin criticised the Australian and New Zealand governments for interfering in Chinese domestic affairs. ^{[195] [194]} During the visit, Morrison defended Australia's decision to revoke ISIS bride Suhayra Aden's citizenship but indicated that the Australian Government would consider allowing her children to settle in Australia. ^{[196] [197]}

2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine

In February 2022, Morrison condemned Russian President Vladimir Putin for launching the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine and imposed sanctions on travel bans on individuals perceived to be supporting the invasion. ^[198] Morrison said Australia would begin sending lethal aid to the Ukrainian government. ^[199] The Australian government moved to join with the United Kingdom, Canada, and the United States in personally sanctioning Putin and Sergey Lavrov, the foreign minister. ^[200]

AUKUS

Main article: AUKUS

In September 2021, Morrison, British premier Boris Johnson and US President Joe Biden announced AUKUS, a security pact between Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States seen as an initiative to counter the perceived dominance of China in the Pacific. ^{[201] [202]} This superseded a proposed submarine pact between Australia and France that had been in discussions at the same time; the announcement of AUKUS attracted backlash from French officials and damaged Australia–France relations. Chinese officials also criticised the agreement. ^{[203] [204]} French President Emmanuel Macron reportedly remarked privately to Morrison that the dissolution of the agreement had "broke the relationship of trust" between the two countries, ^{[205] [206]} and publicly accused him of lying during the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference, which was seen as damaging to Morrison's public image. ^{[207] [208] [209]}

COVID-19 pandemic

Main articles: COVID-19 pandemic in Australia and COVID-19 vaccination in Australia

Morrison at a National Cabinet meeting

The COVID-19 pandemic in Australia prompted Morrison to establish the National Cabinet on 13 March 2020. This body is composed of the prime minister and the premiers and chief ministers of the states and territories to coordinate the national response to the pandemic. ^[210] On 29 May 2020, the Prime Minister announced that the National Cabinet would replace the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) and meetings after the pandemic would be held monthly, instead of the biannual meetings of COAG. ^[211]

"The world over - we have all faced the health and economic crises generated by the COVID-19 pandemic. 2020 is a year none of us want to repeat. In Australia, we have used our strong balance sheet - built up over many years of discipline, to support and provide our health system with the additional resources, record levels, it has needed - and to provide major, unprecedented economic supports for households and businesses - providing much needed strength and resilience to the economy to both cushion the blow and to recover...... As the world's only nation continent, we always have to be outward looking. You don't get rich by selling stuff to yourself. Singaporeans certainly understand that."

Morrison speaking about the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on Australia at the Singapore FinTech Festival, December 2020 ^[212]

On 5 May, Morrison, New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern and Australian state and territorial leaders agreed to work together to develop a Trans-Tasman travel zone that would allow residents from both countries to travel freely between them without restrictions. ^{[213] [214]} Morrison supported an international inquiry into the origins of the global COVID-19 pandemic and opined that the coronavirus most likely originated in a wildlife wet market in Wuhan. ^[215]

On 2 March 2022, Morrison announced he had contracted COVID and was suffering from flu-like symptoms. ^[216]

Vaccine rollout

In August 2020, Morrison announced that Australians would be "among the first in the world to receive a COVID-19 vaccine, if it proves successful, through an agreement between the Australian government and UK-based drug company AstraZeneca". ^[217] In November 2020, he said the government's COVID-19 strategy would put "Australia at the front of the queue for a safe and effective vaccine". ^[218]

During a press conference on 7 January 2021, Morrison announced that Australia's vaccination program would begin in February of that year, also stating that the government planned to vaccinate four million people by the end of March. ^[219] However, this figure was not met, as only 600,000 doses were administered by 31 March, 3.4 million less than the target. ^[220]

Both the original goal for vaccine doses and vaccine priority cohorts were revised several times. By 30 June 2021 the number of doses given (7.6 million) was 4.7 million less than the goal for the end of June. ^{[221] [222]}

The slow vaccine rollout prompted traditionally conservative newspaper The Australian to editorialise that "the federal government is losing credibility with its management of the vaccine rollout and its repeated claims that everything is on track". ^[223] Former ALP staffer Tim Soutphommasane and progressive activist Marc Stears criticised the government's management of the vaccine rollout in June 2021, saying it will likely be "taught as a case study of public policy failure". ^[224] During a press conference in July, Morrison issued an apology for the slow vaccine rollout. ^{[225] [226]} In August, Morrison declared that the government's problems with the rollout had been "overcome", despite several states having a shortage of vaccines. ^[227] To describe Australia's prolonged vaccination rollout, trade unionist Sally McManus coined the term "strollout", with the phrase being named as the country's word of the year by Macquarie Dictionary. ^{[228] [229]}

2022 federal election

Morrison sought a second full term at the 2022 Australian federal election. His primary opposition was the Labor Party, led by Anthony Albanese. The Coalition suffered heavy losses, and it soon became apparent that there was no realistic scenario for Morrison to stay in office. Hours after the polls closed, he conceded defeat to Albanese. ^[230] The Coalition's loss was attributed to Morrison's unpopularity with voters, the popularity of centrist "teal independents" in certain inner-city electorates, and a large swing toward Labor in Western Australia. ^{[231] [232]} After conceding defeat, Morrison announced that he would step down as leader of the Liberal Party. ^[233] Soon afterward, he advised the Governor-General, David Hurley, that he was no longer in a position to govern.

Normal practice in Australia calls for a defeated prime minister to stay in office as a caretaker until the final results are known. However, the timetable was altered due to the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue due to begin on 24 May, two days after the election. On 23 May, after securing enough confidence and supply support from the crossbench to govern in the event Labor fell short of a majority, Albanese advised Hurley that he could form a government, clearing the way for Morrison to transfer power to Albanese later that day. ^{[234] [235] [236] [237]}

Asylum seeker boat controversy

On election day, 21 May 2022, a Suspected Illegal Entry Vessel was intercepted as a part of Joint Agency Task Force (JATF), Operation Sovereign Borders. The Prime Minister’s Office then asked the Commander of the JATF to publish a statement about the interception. The incoming Labor government ordered a departmental inquiry, which found that officials had been pressured by the immigration minister, apparently urged by Morrison, to make a quick announcement with release to selected journalists as well as social media, but had refused do so; although, at the minister's insistence, basic factual information was given limited release in time for a press conference by the prime minister. ^{[238] [239] [240]}

Post-prime ministerial career

Soon after the 2022 election, on 30 May, Peter Dutton was elected as the new leader of the Liberal Party in a leadership election, with Dutton later stating that Morrison would not be included in his shadow ministry. ^[241] Morrison remained in Parliament as a backbencher until his resignation in February 2024. In May 2023, he took an advisory position with the U.S. based think tank the Center for a New American Security. ^[242]

In December 2022, Morrison gave evidence to the Royal Commission into the Robodebt Scheme, concerning his role in the implementation of the unlawful scheme, which was piloted during his time as Social Services minister. ^[243] The commission handed down its final report in July 2023, with Morrison being criticised for misleading Cabinet and failing his ministerial duties. The commission also found that Morrison gave false evidence to the commission. ^[244]

Secret ministerial appointments controversy

Main article: Scott Morrison ministerial positions controversy

In August 2022, Morrison was involved in a political scandal when reports emerged that he had secretly advised Governor-General Hurley to appoint him as joint minister for Health, Finance, and Resources between March 2020 and May 2021. In a press conference on 15 August, Albanese announced an investigation into the reports, saying that the people were "kept in the dark" about these developments in a manner that was "unacceptable" and "very contrary to our Westminster system". ^[18] The following day, Albanese revealed that Morrison had himself appointed as joint Treasurer and joint minister for Home Affairs in addition to the other three portfolios. ^[245]

An opinion from the Solicitor-General, Stephen Donaghue, found that while the appointments may have been lawful and that Hurley was bound by convention to make them, their secrecy "fundamentally undermined" the principles of responsible government. Morrison maintained that "the serious crises facing Australia" demanded that he take on the joint ministries as a "safeguard". ^[169] An inquiry by former High Court Justice Virginia Bell concluded the appointments were "corrosive" to trust in government, and had little connection to pandemic issues. Bell recommended legislation requiring that all ministerial appointments be made public. ^[172]

On 28 November, the House voted to censure Morrison for the appointments, the first time a former prime minister had been censured. The vote was mostly along party lines, with Bridget Archer being the only Coalition MP to vote in favour of the motion. ^[246]

Private sector career

On 23 January 2024, Morrison announced his resignation as Member for Cook. He formally resigned on 28 February 2024. ^[3] Morrison is reportedly set to join a consulting firm founded by Robert C. O'Brien, who served as National Security Advisor to former U.S. President Donald Trump. Morrison will reportedly join the firm, American Global Strategies LLC, as a non-executive vice chairman. ^[247]

Political views

Morrison's political views are considered as conservative, ^{[248] [249] [250]} and he is aligned with the centre-right faction of the Liberal Party, which he led while in government. ^{[251] [252]}

Social policies

Morrison with Queen Elizabeth II, Head of the Commonwealth, and other world leaders in Portsmouth, 2019

Morrison has declared himself a proud supporter of the Australian constitutional monarchy. ^{[253] [254]} In January 2021, he commented that he opposes changing the date of Australia Day from 26 January, which attracted criticism. ^{[255] [256]}

Morrison strongly opposes voluntary euthanasia and assisted suicide, and has stated that he "believes in the sanctity of human life". ^[257]

Morrison's views on immigration have been the subject of media attention, ^[258] with The Straits Times describing his stance as "hardline" and "uncompromising". ^[259] As Minister for Immigration and Border Protection, he was responsible for implementing Operation Sovereign Borders, which requires all asylum seekers arriving in Australia via boat to be refused entry and escorted back to the county they came from. ^{[260] [261] [262]} In May 2021, the Morrison government passed laws which would allow refugees to be detained for life in Australia's immigration detention facilities, despite indefinite detention being illegal under international law. ^[263]

Morrison was an opponent of legalising same-sex marriage in Australia. ^[264] After the Australian Marriage Law Postal Survey, he proposed an amendment to the Marriage Amendment (Definition and Religious Freedoms) Bill 2017 allowing parents to remove children from classes if "non-traditional" marriage is discussed. ^[265] All amendments failed, ^[266] and Morrison abstained from voting on the final bill. ^[267] Morrison's electorate of Cook had a participation rate of 82.22% in the Marriage Law Postal Survey, and 55.04% of those had responded "Yes." ^[268] By November 2017, Morrison considered the topic to be a "done deal" and a "finished debate", ^[269] and same-sex marriage ultimately came into law on 9 December of that year. ^[270]

Morrison has indicated support for excluding transgender women from playing "single-sex sports". ^{[271] [272]}

Environmental policies

This is coal. Don't be afraid. Don't be scared. It won't hurt you.

It's coal. It was dug up by men and women who work and live in the electorates of those who sit opposite—from the Hunter Valley, as the member for Hunter would know. It's coal that's ensured for over 100 years that Australia has enjoyed an energy-competitive advantage that has delivered prosperity to Australian businesses and has ensured that Australian industry has been able to remain competitive in a global market.

Those opposite have an ideological, pathological fear of coal. There's no word for 'coalophobia' officially, but that's the malady that afflicts those opposite. It's that malady that's affecting the jobs in the towns and the industries and, indeed, in this country because of the pathological, ideological opposition to coal being an important part of our sustainable and more certain energy future.

—Scott Morrison,(House of Representatives, 9 February 2017) ^[273]

Morrison's policies and views on climate change have been a subject of interest. ^{[134] [274] [275]} Morrison, along with the rest of the Coalition, voted to abolish Australia's carbon pricing scheme in July 2014. ^[276] Morrison also famously presented a lump of coal to Parliament during question time in February 2017. ^{[277] [278]} During his term as prime minister, the 2020 Climate Change Performance Index ranked Australia in last place for its climate policies ^[134] and was the only country to score 0 for the same metric in 2021. ^[279] During the 2019–20 Australian bushfire season, Morrison dismissed suggestions of a link between Australia's emissions or policies and the intensity of the bushfires and initially downplayed the influence of climate change on the fires, ^[280] but later admitted that climate change may have contributed. ^[134] Protests over his government's climate policies took place across Australia amidst the fire season. ^[281]

Following his attendance of the 2021 Leaders' Climate Summit, Morrison declined to set net-zero emissions or other climate change targets, unlike other world leaders. ^{[282] [274]} Morrison allegedly requested climate change policy targets be removed from a proposed 2021 Australia–United Kingdom trade deal ^[283] and initially suggested he would not attend the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference, but later confirmed that he would. ^{[284] [285]} Following the conference, Morrison's government pledged that Australia would aim to achieve net zero emissions by 2050, but did not introduce this into national law; Morrison said he believed market forces rather than government regulation could address climate change. ^[279]

His government's climate action plan was criticised by journalist Phil Coorey as "lightweight", ^[286] and by a Climate Council spokesman as "meaningless without strong action this decade". ^[287]

Public image

Morrison was one of Australia's most popular and unpopular prime ministers. At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in April 2020, Morrison's job performance was approved by 68 percent of voters, one of the highest approval ratings for an Australian prime minister on record. ^[288] However, by March 2022, Morrison's popularity had greatly declined, and he was found to be Australia's least trusted politician in a study by Roy Morgan Research. ^[289] A study taken after his government's defeat in the 2022 federal election conducted by the Australian National University in December 2022 found that Morrison was the most unpopular major party leader since the beginning of the survey in 1987. ^[290] In a poll conducted by The Guardian in September 2022, over half of respondents believed Morrison should resign from Parliament. ^[291] Research conducted by The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age in December 2023 found Morrison to be Australia's most disliked politician. ^[292]

The veracity of comments made by Morrison has been criticised, and he has repeatedly made false and misleading statements, despite stating in a radio interview in November 2021 that he does not believe he has told a lie in public life. ^{[293] [294]} In October 2021, French president Emmanuel Macron publicly accused Morrison of lying over the cancellation of a proposed submarine pact between France and Australia. ^[207] Morrison's predecessor Malcolm Turnbull also questioned Morrison's credibility, saying, "[Morrison] can twist and turn and leak a text message here and leak a document there to his stenographic friends in the media, but ultimately the failure here was one of not being honest." ^[295] In November 2021, Turnbull also commented that Morrison "has always had a reputation for telling lies" and had lied to him "on many occasions". ^[296]

In January and February 2022, texts from his Coalition colleagues were leaked. In January 2022, texts between former New South Wales premier Gladys Berejiklian and an unnamed senior cabinet minister in the Morrison government were revealed, wherein Morrison was labelled a "horrible, horrible person" by the former premier and a "complete psycho" by the minister. ^[297] This was soon followed by leaked texts sent from deputy prime minister Barnaby Joyce, who in March 2021 accused Morrison of being "a hypocrite and a liar" in text messages. ^[298] Joyce apologised and offered his resignation to Morrison, but it was declined. ^[299] In March and April 2022, New South Wales state Liberal MP Catherine Cusack accused Morrison of being a "self-serving bully", and using the Eastern Australia floods as a political tactic. ^{[300] [301]} In April 2022, sitting Liberal Senator Concetta Fierravanti-Wells condemned Morrison as being "unfit for office", as well as an "autocrat", and a "bully" with "no moral compass". She also suggested Morrison had used his religion as a "marketing advantage". ^[302]

Personal life

Scott and Jenny Morrison in March 2019

Morrison is a fan of rugby union and supported the Eastern Suburbs RUFC during his childhood. After moving to the Sutherland Shire, he became a fan of the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks rugby league team and was named the club's number-one ticket holder in 2016. ^{[26] [303]}

Marriage and children

Morrison began dating Jenny Warren when they were both 16. ^[304] They married in 1990, ^{[305] [306] [307]} when Morrison was 21 and Warren was 22, and have two daughters together. After multiple unsuccessful IVF treatments over a period of 14 years, their daughters were conceived naturally. ^[304] Their daughters attend an independent Baptist school. Morrison has stated that one of the reasons for this choice was so that he could avoid "the values of others being imposed on my children." ^[308]

Religious beliefs

Morrison was raised in the Presbyterian Church of Australia, ^[309] which partly merged into the Uniting Church when he was a child. He later became a Pentecostal and now attends the Horizon Church, ^[310] which is affiliated with the Australian Christian Churches. ^[22] Morrison was Australia's first Pentecostal prime minister. ^[311] As a Pentecostal and evangelical church, Horizon is not a mainstream church in Australia. Some members believe in divine healing, and practise "speaking in tongues", which is seen as a miraculous gift from God. ^[312]

While the Australian Christian Lobby welcomed the appointment of a prime minister with such a deep faith, some Australians have been suspicious of its effect on his rulings. As Treasurer of Australia during the vote for legislation on same-sex marriage in 2017, Morrison abstained from voting due to his faith. ^[312] He has said, "the Bible is not a policy handbook, and I get very worried when people try to treat it like one". ^[22] In late 2017, Morrison stated that he would become a stronger advocate for protections for religious freedom. ^[313]

He thinks misuse of social media is the work of "the evil one" and practises the Christian tradition of the "laying on of hands" while working. He said in a speech to the Australian Christian Churches conference in April 2021 that he believes he was elected to do God's work, ^[314] although he later said that his comments were mischaracterised and that they were meant to reflect his belief that "whatever you do every day... is part of your Christian service". ^[315]

In July 2022, he told a Pentecostal church congregation that, speaking from experience, he believed that people should not trust governments or the United Nations but should put their trust in God. ^[316] Morrison's successor as prime minister, Anthony Albanese, found this statement "quite astonishing" and the reference to the United Nations a "nonsense throwaway conspiracy line". ^[317]

Health

In 2024, Morrison revealed he had been prescribed medication for anxiety during his premiership, which he blamed on "pure physical exhaustion" and the "unrelenting and callous brutality of politics". ^[318]

Honours

Foreign honours

•   United States:
  • Chief Commander of the Legion of Merit by the president of the United States, Donald J. Trump. (22 December 2020) ^[319]

References

1. "Hon Scott Morrison MP". Senators and Members of the Parliament of Australia . Retrieved 3 November 2021.
2. "Scott Morrison or ScoMo — is it time he retired the nickname now he's Prime Minister?". ABC News. September 2018. Archived from the original on 18 January 2020. Retrieved 22 March 2020.
3. "Hon Scott Morrison". Parliament of Australia. 28 February 2024. Retrieved 5 March 2024.
4. Belot, Henry (19 May 2019). "Federal election result: Scott Morrison says 'I have always believed in miracles' as Coalition retains power". Australian Broadcasting Corporation . Archived from the original on 18 May 2019. Retrieved 18 May 2019.
5. Remeikis, Amy (21 December 2019). "Scott Morrison's Hawaii horror show: how a PR disaster unfolded". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 23 December 2019. Retrieved 23 December 2019.
6. Mao, Frances (2 March 2021). "How rape allegations have rocked Australian politics". BBC News. Archived from the original on 4 March 2021. Retrieved 15 March 2021.
7. "Australia has almost eliminated the coronavirus — by putting faith in science". Washington Post. ISSN   0190-8286. Archived from the original on 31 May 2021. Retrieved 16 July 2021.
8. Topsfield, Jewel (30 May 2021). "Why has the vaccine rollout been so slow?". The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 28 June 2021. Retrieved 28 June 2021.
9. Hadley, Erin (29 December 2021). "Australia-China relations continued to sour in 2021. What can we expect in 2022?". ABC News. Archived from the original on 29 December 2021. Retrieved 30 December 2021.
10. "Aukus: French minister condemns US and Australia 'lies' over security pact". BBC News. 19 September 2021. Archived from the original on 20 September 2021. Retrieved 20 September 2021.
11. Karp, Paul (4 April 2022). "Liberal MP accuses Scott Morrison of 'ruthless bullying' and scheming at the expense of flood victims". The Guardian . Archived from the original on 7 April 2022. Retrieved 7 April 2022.
12. Haslam, Alex (11 March 2022). "Scott Morrison's tone-deaf leadership is the last thing traumatised flood victims need. Here are two ways he can do better". The Conversation . Archived from the original on 11 March 2022. Retrieved 12 March 2022.
13. Henriques-Gomes, Luke (15 April 2022). "Coalition faces criticism for limiting 'top-up' payment to Lismore flood victims only". The Guardian . Archived from the original on 17 April 2022. Retrieved 17 April 2022.
14. RN Breakfast (8 November 2021). "Scott Morrison accused of failing to understand the 'urgency' of climate change". ABC News. Archived from the original on 12 November 2021. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
15. Victor, Daniel; Cave, Damien (3 November 2021). "Australia's climate pledges fall short, again, critics say". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 21 May 2022. Retrieved 29 May 2022.
16. "Live: Morrison calls Albanese to concede electoral defeat as Labor, independents unseat Coalition". ABC News. 20 May 2022. Archived from the original on 21 May 2022. Retrieved 21 May 2022.
17. "Peter Dutton elected new Liberal Party leader, Sussan Ley becomes deputy leader". ABC News . 30 May 2022. Archived from the original on 30 May 2022. Retrieved 30 June 2022.
18. Karp, Paul (30 November 2022). "Parliament censures Scott Morrison over secret ministries after Liberal Bridget Archer backs Labor and Greens". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 30 November 2022. Retrieved 30 November 2022.
19. "Scott Morrison: fast facts". National Archives of Australia. Archived from the original on 31 December 2021. Retrieved 31 December 2021.
20. "Key facts about Scott Morrison, Australia's new prime minister". Australian Financial Review . 24 August 2018. Archived from the original on 14 May 2020. Retrieved 25 August 2018.
21. "Scott Morrison's father John, a former policeman and mayor, dies aged 84". ABC News. 23 January 2020. Retrieved 23 May 2022.
22. Nick Bryant (February 2012). "Scott Morrison: So Who the Bloody Hell Are You?". The Monthly. Archived from the original on 11 April 2018. Retrieved 7 February 2018.
23. "Members' statements in relation to citizenship: Scott Morrison". Parliament of Australia. Archived 14 March 2018 at the Wayback Machine . Retrieved 7 February 2018.
24. Hansard, 29 November 2012 Archived 10 August 2021 at the Wayback Machine . Retrieved 13 February 2019
25. "Scott Morrison speaks of convict ancestry as he welcomes new citizens". The Sydney Morning Herald. 26 January 2019. Archived from the original on 14 February 2019. Retrieved 13 February 2019.
26. Deborah Snow (30 April 2016). "Scott Morrison's relentless rise to power". The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 8 February 2018. Retrieved 7 February 2018.
27. "Key facts about Scott Morrison, Australia's new prime minister". Australian Financial Review. 24 August 2018. Archived from the original on 9 February 2019. Retrieved 7 February 2019.
28. "Who is Scott Morrison? Meet Australia's new Prime Minister". SBS News. 24 August 2018. Archived from the original on 9 February 2019. Retrieved 7 February 2019.
29. Hardaker, David (14 April 2021). "Revealed: Scott Morrison's little-known work on the Christian Brethren church". Crikey. Archived from the original on 20 August 2021. Retrieved 20 August 2021.
30. Hardaker, David (4 May 2021). "Selling the faith: the thoughts of Scott Morrison, aged 21, on building influence and growing the flock". Crikey. Archived from the original on 20 August 2021. Retrieved 20 August 2021.
31. "Who is Scott Morrison? Our new Prime Minister shares a rare and candid look at into his personal life". The Australian Women's Weekly. 24 August 2018. Archived from the original on 10 April 2019. Retrieved 28 August 2018.
32. "Scott Morrison's rise to Australia's top job". Radio New Zealand . ABC. 24 August 2018. Archived from the original on 24 August 2018. Retrieved 25 August 2018.
33. "Labor is probing Scott Morrison's past life in the tourism industry". NewsComAu. 14 November 2018. Archived from the original on 21 August 2019. Retrieved 27 November 2019.
34. Karen Middleton (8 June 2019). "Fresh documents in Morrison's sacking". The Saturday Paper . Archived from the original on 17 June 2019. Retrieved 25 July 2019.
35. Robert Wainwright (25 July 2006). "So where the hell is he?". The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 8 February 2018. Retrieved 7 February 2018.
36. Jon Faine (28 August 2022). "'I was gobsmacked when he became prime minister'". The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 27 August 2022. Retrieved 28 August 2022.
37. Smith, Rohan. "Scott Morrison rejects 'Scotty from Marketing' nickname". News Corporation. Archived from the original on 20 January 2020. Retrieved 20 January 2020.
38. Coorey, Phillip (27 January 2020). "PM's office called in Russel from marketing". Australian Financial Review. Archived from the original on 3 March 2020. Retrieved 24 February 2020.
39. Tiernan, Eamonn (20 January 2020). "PM responds to 'Scotty from Marketing' dig". Newcastle Herald. Archived from the original on 24 February 2020. Retrieved 24 February 2020.
40. "Bruce Baird to step down". The Sydney Morning Herald . Australian Associated Press. 16 April 2007. Archived from the original on 16 October 2021. Retrieved 18 April 2007.
41. "Liberal preselections the Towke of the town". Crikey. 23 July 2007. Archived from the original on 5 October 2021. Retrieved 26 July 2007.
42. Sheehan, Paul (26 October 2009). "Nasty saga you nearly missed". The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 26 January 2013.
43. "Fletcher wins Liberals preselection for Bradfield". ABC News (Australia) . 26 September 2009. Archived from the original on 22 November 2021. Retrieved 28 September 2009.
44. "Liberal Party disendorses Michael Towke". PM (ABC News). 3 August 2007. Archived from the original on 14 November 2013. Retrieved 21 August 2012.
45. "Cook Federal Election 2007". Australian Broadcasting Corporation . Archived from the original on 5 March 2021. Retrieved 29 June 2021.
46. "Morrison accused of using race in bid for seat". 2 April 2022. Archived from the original on 2 April 2022. Retrieved 2 April 2022.
47. "Turnbull's speech". Sydney Morning Herald . 22 September 2008. Archived from the original on 29 June 2021. Retrieved 25 September 2008.
48. "Shadow Ministry" (PDF). Parliament of Australia. 8 December 2009. Archived (PDF) from the original on 9 July 2021. Retrieved 29 June 2021.
49. "Authorities: Death toll up to 48 in Christmas Island shipwreck". CNN. 20 December 2010. Archived from the original on 13 December 2013. Retrieved 10 December 2013.
50. Coorey, Phillip; Needham, Kirsty (16 February 2011). "Hockey calls for compassion in funeral row". The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 26 June 2014. Retrieved 24 February 2014.
51. "Lib admits timing of funeral comments 'insensitive'". The Sydney Morning Herald. AAP. 16 February 2011. Archived from the original on 26 June 2014. Retrieved 4 February 2015.
52. Kelly 2021, p. 15.
53. Lenore, Taylor (16 February 2011). "Morrison sees votes in anti-Muslim strategy". The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 18 March 2019. Retrieved 15 March 2019.
54. Hall, Bianca (28 February 2013). "Few asylum seekers charged with crime". The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 24 August 2018. Retrieved 24 August 2018.
55. Ireland, Bianca Hall and Judith (15 August 2013). "Tony Abbott evokes John Howard in slamming doors on asylum seekers". The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 24 August 2018. Retrieved 24 August 2018.
56. Massola, James (7 June 2014). "How they coalesce in the Coalition". The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 14 February 2021. Retrieved 14 February 2021.
57. Cowie, Thea (18 September 2013). "Coalition launches Operation Sovereign Borders". SBS News. Archived from the original on 4 November 2013. Retrieved 1 November 2013.
58. "Scott Morrison tried to delay asylum seekers' visas, documents reveal". ABC News. 30 January 2018. Archived from the original on 29 January 2018. Retrieved 30 January 2018.
59. "Promise check: We will stop the boats". ABC News. 8 May 2016. Archived from the original on 6 June 2016. Retrieved 28 May 2016.
60. Laughland, Oliver (3 July 2014). "UN: 'profound concern' at Australia's handling of Tamil asylum seekers". Guardian Australia. Archived from the original on 4 July 2014. Retrieved 6 July 2014.
61. "Revealed: The secret mission that stopped the asylum boats from entering Australia". The Daily Telegraph . 17 September 2014. Archived from the original on 23 August 2018. Retrieved 23 August 2018.
62. Borrello, Eliza (4 October 2013). "Immigration Minister Scott Morrison says no changes to border protection despite softer language from PM". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Archived from the original on 21 February 2015. Retrieved 12 February 2015.
63. Janet Phillips, 'A comparison of Coalition and Labor government asylum policies in Australia since 2001' Archived 12 February 2015 at the Wayback Machine , 28 February 2014, Australian Parliamentary Library Research Paper series 2013–14, 12–13.
64. "Immigration Minister Scott Morrison defends use of term 'illegal arrivals', plays down PNG police incident". The Sydney Morning Herald. 22 October 2013. Archived from the original on 22 October 2013. Retrieved 22 October 2013.
65. "Scott Morrison correct on 'illegal entry' of people without a visa". The Sydney Morning Herald. 13 September 2013. Archived from the original on 10 October 2013. Retrieved 13 September 2013.
66. For example:
    • "Arrogance and obfuscation a bad mix for Scott Morrison". The Herald Sun. 26 October 2013. Archived from the original on 21 October 2022. Retrieved 8 February 2015.
    • "No comment: government silent over fate of asylum seekers". The Sydney Morning Herald. 9 November 2013. Archived from the original on 23 September 2014. Retrieved 5 February 2015.
    • "Scott Morrison refuses to answer parliamentary questions on boat arrival". The Guardian. Australia. 13 November 2013. Archived from the original on 5 February 2015. Retrieved 5 February 2015.
    • "Morrison refuses to answer rescue questions". PM (ABC News). Australia. 8 November 2013. Archived from the original on 16 February 2015. Retrieved 5 February 2015.
    • "Scott Morrison's secrecy would be funny if it wasn't so serious". News.com.au. 20 November 2013. Archived from the original on 5 February 2015. Retrieved 5 February 2015.
    • ""Talk To The Hand" — The Australian Government, To Everyone". The Global Mail. 20 November 2013. Archived from the original on 5 February 2015. Retrieved 5 February 2015.
    • "Silence over boats sells public short". The Age. 6 October 2013. Archived from the original on 15 October 2015. Retrieved 5 February 2015.
    • "Secrecy over asylum seeker boat turn-backs puts navy in a bind". The Age. 25 January 2014. Archived from the original on 15 October 2015. Retrieved 5 February 2015.
    • Kelly, Fran (6 July 2014). "Insiders Sunday 06 July" (streaming video). Insiders ABC TV . Australia. Archived from the original on 16 February 2015. Retrieved 5 February 2015.
    • "Scott Morrison interview takes on Pythonesque proportions". Canberra Times. 6 July 2014. Archived from the original on 16 June 2022. Retrieved 5 February 2015.
    • "Senate tests secrecy on asylum". The Australian. 13 January 2014. Archived from the original on 27 May 2022. Retrieved 8 February 2015.
67. "Morrison mute on reported asylum seeker handover". SBS News. 3 July 2014. Archived from the original on 5 February 2015. Retrieved 5 February 2015.
68. "Scott Morrison defends vow of silence on asylum seeker boat arrivals". The Guardian. 23 September 2013. Archived from the original on 5 February 2015. Retrieved 5 February 2015.
69. "Motion passed to force Immigration Minister Scott Morrison to report asylum-seeker incidents at sea". The Age. 15 November 2013. Archived from the original on 15 October 2015. Retrieved 5 February 2015.
70. "Minister's office won't confirm briefings". News.com.au. 27 January 2014. Archived from the original on 10 August 2021. Retrieved 5 February 2015.
71. "Laurie Oakes discusses Scott Morrison on The Drum". Australian Broadcasting Corporation . 7 November 2013. Archived from the original on 12 December 2013.
72. Australian Human Rights Commission, The Forgotten Children: National Inquiry into Children in Immigration Detention Archived 12 February 2015 at the Wayback Machine (2014), 13.
73. Whyte, Sarah (12 February 2015). "Human Rights Commission should congratulate Scott Morrison: Tony Abbott responds to report on children in immigration detention". The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 12 February 2015. Retrieved 12 February 2015.
74. Doherty, Ben (5 December 2014). "Senate gives Scott Morrison unchecked control over asylum seekers' lives". The Guardian. Australia. Archived from the original on 8 December 2014. Retrieved 8 December 2014.
75. Morton, Adam (7 December 2014). "The unprecedented immigration powers awarded to Scott Morrison". The Age . Archived from the original on 11 January 2016. Retrieved 8 December 2014.
76. Yaxley, Louise; Norman, Jane (5 December 2014). "Temporary protection visas: Senate votes to bring back temporary visas after deal to get children off Christmas Island". ABC News. Australia. Archived from the original on 8 December 2014. Retrieved 8 December 2014.
77. McDonald, Susan (22 December 2014). "Cabinet reshuffle: Scott Morrison moves to Social Services; Sussan Ley promoted as second woman in Cabinet; David Johnston leaves". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Archived from the original on 26 October 2018. Retrieved 12 February 2015.
78. Maiden, Samantha (15 August 2015). "Working mums better for everyone, Social Services Minister Scott Morrison says". Perth Now. Archived from the original on 28 July 2020. Retrieved 28 July 2020.
79. Wilson, Lauren (8 April 2015). "Social Services Minister Scott Morrison confirms families package will be rolled out gradually". news.com.au. Archived from the original on 28 July 2020. Retrieved 28 July 2020.
80. Davey, Melissa (13 April 2015). "Coalition's 'no jab, no pay' policy elicits mixed feelings in health professionals". Guardian Australia. Archived from the original on 26 January 2021. Retrieved 14 January 2021.
81. "Who is Christian Porter? | PBA". Pro Bono Australia. Archived from the original on 9 May 2020. Retrieved 25 November 2019.
82. Smith, Alexandra (28 March 2015). "Scott Morrison boycott at Sydney Boys High School: alumni say he is 'an embarrassment'". The Age. Archived from the original on 10 August 2021. Retrieved 11 June 2016.
83. Whinnett, Ellen (11 May 2015). "Social Services Minister Scott Morrison dismisses claims he's overshadowing Treasurer Joe Hockey on Budget eve". Herald Sun. Archived from the original on 10 August 2021. Retrieved 28 July 2020.
84. "Robodebt royal commission: Scott Morrison hits out at report's finding he 'failed' responsibility, allowed cabinet to be 'misled'". Archived from the original on 8 July 2023. Retrieved 9 July 2023.
85. "Robo-debt report: Scott Morrison, ministers condemned in scheme 'rotten from the start'". Archived from the original on 8 July 2023. Retrieved 9 July 2023.
86. "Robodebt royal commission report handed down – as it happened | Australian politics | the Guardian". Archived from the original on 8 July 2023. Retrieved 9 July 2023.
87. Convery, Stephanie; Touma, Rafqa; Touma (earlier), Rafqa (7 July 2023). "Robodebt royal commission report handed down – as it happened". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 9 July 2023. Retrieved 9 July 2023.
88. Henderson, Anna (15 September 2015). "Scott Morrison offered Treasury role in new Malcolm Turnbull Cabinet, source says". ABC News. Archived from the original on 18 September 2015. Retrieved 20 September 2015.
89. "Immigration hardman Scott Morrison is new Aussie Treasurer". CNBC. 20 September 2015. Archived from the original on 21 September 2015. Retrieved 23 September 2015.
90. "Treasurer Scott Morrison says Federal Government has 'spending problem'; expenditure the same as during GFC – ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)". Abc.net.au. Archived from the original on 23 September 2015. Retrieved 23 September 2015.
91. "Diverted profits tax". Australian Taxation Office. Archived from the original on 27 August 2018. Retrieved 27 August 2018.
92. "Diverted profits tax will go nowhere". The Australian Financial Review . 28 March 2017. Archived from the original on 28 August 2018. Retrieved 27 August 2018.
93. "Treasurer to launch fresh attack on multinational tax avoidance as Parliament resumes". The Sydney Morning Herald. 20 March 2017. Archived from the original on 27 August 2018. Retrieved 27 August 2018.
94. "Scott Morrison brings a chunk of coal into parliament". The Guardian. 9 February 2017. Archived from the original on 29 March 2017. Retrieved 29 March 2017.
95. "Budget 2017-18". Budget 2017-18. Archived from the original on 14 May 2009. Retrieved 9 May 2017.
96. "Does royal commission turncoat Scott Morrison really think the public is so dim?". The Sydney Morning Herald. 20 April 2018. Archived from the original on 27 August 2018. Retrieved 27 August 2018.
97. "How Scott Morrison changed his tune on the banking royal commission". The Sydney Morning Herald. 20 April 2018. Archived from the original on 5 October 2018. Retrieved 27 August 2018.
98. "Corporate crooks to face tougher penalties under new rules to be revealed by Government". ABC News. 20 April 2018. Archived from the original on 27 August 2018. Retrieved 27 August 2018.
99. "Budget Overview" (PDF). Commonwealth of Australia. 8 May 2018. Archived (PDF) from the original on 13 November 2019. Retrieved 11 May 2018.
100. "Here's Why People Who Are Unemployed Won't Get Any More Newstart Money". BuzzFeed. Archived from the original on 9 May 2018. Retrieved 9 May 2018.
101. "Live: Turnbull sees off Dutton challenge, but leadership turmoil to continue". ABC News (Australia) . 21 August 2018. Archived from the original on 10 August 2021. Retrieved 21 August 2018.
102. Remeikis, Amy; Hutchens, Gareth; Murphy, Katharine; Knaus, Christopher (21 August 2018). "Dutton resigns after Turnbull survives Liberal leadership spill 48-35 – politics live". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 21 August 2018. Retrieved 21 August 2018.
103. Sweeney, Lucy; Belot, Henry (23 August 2018). "Malcolm Turnbull allies jump ship, saying numbers now favour Peter Dutton". ABC News (Australia) . Archived from the original on 22 August 2018. Retrieved 23 August 2018.
104. "Who are the options for PM?". Nine News . 23 August 2018. Archived from the original on 11 March 2021. Retrieved 26 August 2018.
105. "Scott Morrison wins Liberal party leadership spill". 9News. 24 August 2018. Archived from the original on 24 August 2018. Retrieved 24 August 2018.
106. "Australia PM Turnbull ousted in party coup". BBC News. 24 August 2018. Archived from the original on 24 August 2018. Retrieved 24 August 2018.
107. "Could Scott Morrison and Julie Bishop join the leadership race in a three-cornered contest?". The Guardian. 22 August 2018. Archived from the original on 23 August 2018. Retrieved 24 August 2018.
108. "Scott Morrison sworn in as Prime Minister but policy direction and election strategy remains uncertain". 24 August 2018. Archived from the original on 24 August 2018. Retrieved 25 August 2018.
109. "Scott Morrison sworn in as Prime Minister". The Sydney Morning Herald. 24 August 2018. Archived from the original on 24 August 2018. Retrieved 27 August 2018.
110. Kiwi, Isabella; Graham-McLay, Charlotte (24 August 2018). "Scott Morrison Becomes Australia's Prime Minister After Back-Room Revolt". The New York Times . Archived from the original on 24 August 2018. Retrieved 25 August 2018.
111. Murphy, Katharine; Karp, Paul (3 December 2018). "Liberal party changes rules to require two-thirds majority to unseat sitting PM". The Guardian . Archived from the original on 3 December 2018. Retrieved 3 December 2018.
112. Belot, Peter (4 December 2018). "Scott Morrison all but ends Liberal Party spill motions against a sitting prime minister". ABC News . Archived from the original on 7 December 2018. Retrieved 7 December 2018.
113. Lewis, Rosie (25 August 2018). "Independent MPs refuse to give Morrison guarantees of confidence". The Australian . Archived from the original on 10 August 2021. Retrieved 8 August 2019.
114. Mizen, Ronald (31 August 2018). "Malcolm Turnbull formally resigns, forces byelection". The Australian Financial Review . Archived from the original on 31 August 2018. Retrieved 31 August 2018.
115. Ross, Hannah; MacKenzie, Bruce; Shoebridge, Joanne (28 August 2018). "MP Kevin Hogan moving to crossbenches, but remaining as a National Party member". ABC News (Australia) . Archived from the original on 29 August 2018. Retrieved 29 August 2018.
116. Kearsley, Jonathan (20 October 2018). "Wentworth: Storm clouds loom for Morrison government after by-election bloodbath". Nine News . Archived from the original on 14 June 2020. Retrieved 22 October 2018.
117. "Coalition moves into minority government". The Economist . 22 October 2018. Archived from the original on 10 August 2021. Retrieved 26 October 2018.
118. "Scott Morrison's foreign affairs foray follows predecessors' familiar flightpath". ABC News. 30 August 2018. Archived from the original on 2 September 2018. Retrieved 2 September 2018.
119. Murphy, Katharine; McGowan, Michael; Davies, Anne (15 October 2018). "Jerusalem embassy move a 'sensible' proposal, says Scott Morrison". the Guardian. Archived from the original on 16 October 2018. Retrieved 16 October 2018.
120. Macmillan, political reporter Jade (15 December 2018). "Government recognises West Jerusalem as Israel's capital, embassy to stay put". ABC News. Archived from the original on 15 December 2018. Retrieved 15 December 2018.
121. "Morrison pledges no 'showboating' on China". MSN News. 12 November 2018. Archived from the original on 22 March 2019. Retrieved 22 March 2019.
122. "Australia called to act against Chinese detention of Uighurs". Al-Jazeera. 11 February 2019. Archived from the original on 24 March 2019. Retrieved 22 March 2019.
123. 'We're not just allies': Scott Morrison says Australia grieves with New Zealand on YouTube
124. "Turkey's Erdogan directs incendiary comments at Australia, New Zealand". CBC News. 20 March 2019. Archived from the original on 22 March 2019. Retrieved 22 March 2019.
125. "'Deeply offended' PM demands Turkey's Erdogan withdraws Gallipoli 'coffins' comment". SBS News. 20 March 2019. Archived from the original on 22 March 2019. Retrieved 22 March 2019.
126. Patrick 2019, p. 118.
127. "Election 2019: Coalition secures 77 seats as Liberals win Wentworth, Chisholm, Boothby and Bass". ABC News. 20 May 2019. Archived from the original on 19 May 2019. Retrieved 20 May 2019.
128. Kelly 2021, p. 24.
129. Craig Emerson & Jay Wetherall (6 November 2019). "Review of Labor's 2019 Federal Election Campaign" (PDF). Australian Labor Party. Archived (PDF) from the original on 14 December 2019. Retrieved 21 December 2019.
130. Allyson Horn (19 May 2019). "Election 2019: Why Queensland turned its back on Labor and helped Scott Morrison to victory". ABC News. Archived from the original on 19 May 2019. Retrieved 20 May 2019.
131. "Scott Morrison facing online criticism for pre-Christmas family overseas holiday". ABC News. 18 December 2019. Archived from the original on 18 December 2019. Retrieved 18 December 2019.
132. Remeikis, Amy (21 December 2019). "Scott Morrison's Hawaii horror show: how a PR disaster unfolded". TheGuardian.com . Archived from the original on 23 December 2019. Retrieved 23 December 2019.
133. Bolger, Rosemary (19 December 2019). "Climate protesters set up tent city at Kirribilli House to wait for Scott Morrison's return". SBS News. Archived from the original on 19 December 2019. Retrieved 20 December 2019.
134. "Why Australia's PM is facing climate anger amid bushfires". BBC News. 20 December 2019. Archived from the original on 21 December 2019. Retrieved 23 December 2019.
135. "Scott Morrison says he 'regrets' any offence to bushfire victims caused by Hawaii holiday". SBS News. 20 December 2019. Archived from the original on 19 December 2019. Retrieved 20 December 2019.
136. Haydar, Nour; Conifer, Dan (21 December 2019). "Scott Morrison returns home to face bushfire crisis after cutting holiday short". ABC News. Archived from the original on 21 December 2019. Retrieved 21 December 2019.
137. Martin, Sarah (22 November 2021). "Morrison under fire for falsely claiming he told Albanese he was travelling to Hawaii in 2019". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 23 November 2021. Retrieved 24 November 2021.
138. "Two-thirds of Australians think government more interested in protecting itself than women – poll". the Guardian. 1 March 2021. Archived from the original on 5 March 2021. Retrieved 6 March 2021.
139. "'Not good enough': Turnbull attacks ScoMo over cabinet minister's historic rape allegation". NewsComAu. 1 March 2021. Archived from the original on 5 March 2021. Retrieved 6 March 2021.
140. "John Howard backs Prime Minister's handling of Christian Porter allegation". 2GB. 3 March 2021. Archived from the original on 5 March 2021. Retrieved 6 March 2021.
141. "Grace Tame tells Scott Morrison 'having children doesn't guarantee a conscience'". SBS News. Archived from the original on 4 March 2021. Retrieved 6 March 2021.
142. "Christian Porter resigns from ministry". ABC News. 19 September 2021. Archived from the original on 19 September 2021. Retrieved 19 September 2021.
143. Doran, Matthew (20 October 2021). "Government blocks bid to investigate Christian Porter". ABC News (Australia) . Archived from the original on 21 October 2021. Retrieved 21 October 2021.
144. Murphy, Katharine (20 October 2021). "Government blocks Labor push to investigate Christian Porter's blind trust". The Guardian . Archived from the original on 21 October 2021. Retrieved 21 October 2021.
145. Bath, Gemma (21 October 2021). "'A disgraceful, shameful moment.' This week, we witnessed exactly why we need a Federal ICAC". Mamamia . Archived from the original on 24 October 2021. Retrieved 24 October 2021.
146. "Coalition's protection of Porter defies logic and belief". The Canberra Times. 22 October 2021. Archived from the original on 24 October 2021. Retrieved 24 October 2021.
147. Maley, Jacqueline (23 October 2021). "A blind trust? Certainly, the government is keeping voters blind as to Porter's secret donors". The Age . Fairfax Media. Archived from the original on 24 October 2021. Retrieved 24 October 2021.
148. Lillywhite, Serena (21 October 2021). "The government's move to block investigation of Porter donations is a nail in the coffin of integrity in politics". The Guardian . Archived from the original on 24 October 2021. Retrieved 24 October 2021.
149. Coughlan, Matt (21 October 2021). "Morrison defends blocking Porter inquiry". The Canberra Times . Archived from the original on 21 October 2021. Retrieved 22 October 2021.
150. "Our history shows we can do more for refugees". The Age . 19 August 2021. Archived from the original on 20 August 2021. Retrieved 21 August 2021.
151. Crowe, David (18 August 2021). "The PM's rhetoric on Afghan refugees has to be treated with caution". The Sydney Morning Herald . Archived from the original on 18 August 2021. Retrieved 19 August 2021.
152. Clarke, Tyrone (19 August 2021). "Scott Morrison declares the 3,000 visas available to Afghans a 'floor not a ceiling'". Sky News Australia . Archived from the original on 19 August 2021. Retrieved 22 August 2021.
153. Grattan, Michelle (18 August 2021). "No permanent settlement for Afghans who did not come 'the right way': Morrison". The Conversation . Archived from the original on 18 August 2021. Retrieved 21 August 2021.
154. Raphael, Angie; Gould, Courtney (18 August 2021). "Scott Morrison rules out following path of Canada, will only resettle Afghan nationals through 'official channels'". The Australian . Archived from the original on 11 September 2021. Retrieved 19 August 2021.
155. Withers, Rachel (17 March 2022). "Go west, marketing man". The Monthly . Archived from the original on 17 March 2022. Retrieved 19 March 2022.
156. Clarke, Melissa (17 March 2022). "Prime Minister's campaigning in Perth blamed for hold-up on further NSW flood assistance". ABC News . Archived from the original on 18 March 2022. Retrieved 19 March 2022.
157. "Prime Minister to investigate claims of Scott Morrison's secret ministry grab during COVID-19". ABC News. 15 August 2022. Archived from the original on 15 August 2022. Retrieved 15 August 2022.
158. "Albanese to investigate claims of Morrison's secret portfolios". www.9news.com.au. 15 August 2022. Archived from the original on 15 August 2022. Retrieved 15 August 2022.
159. "Australia's former prime minister Scott Morrison defends secretly taking extra powers". NPR . Archived from the original on 16 August 2022. Retrieved 16 August 2022.
160. Massola, James (15 August 2022). "Albanese to seek advice on legality of Morrison secretly swearing himself into additional portfolios". Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 15 August 2022. Retrieved 15 August 2022.
161. "Australia News LIVE". Sydney Morning Herald. 15 August 2022. Archived from the original on 14 August 2022. Retrieved 15 August 2022.
162. Twomey, Anne (15 August 2012). "Scott Morrison was sworn in to several portfolios other than prime minister during the pandemic. How can this be done?". The Conversation. Archived from the original on 15 August 2022. Retrieved 16 August 2022.
163. Massola, James; Curtis, Katina (15 August 2022). "Search for documents authorising Morrison's secret ministerial powers". Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 15 August 2022. Retrieved 15 August 2022.
164. Butler, Josh; Martin, Sarah (15 August 2022). "Scott Morrison faces probe over secret ministry claims as government seeks legal advice". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 15 August 2022. Retrieved 15 August 2022.
165. "Australia News LIVE". Sydney Morning Herald. 16 August 2022. Archived from the original on 16 August 2022. Retrieved 16 August 2022.
166. Twomey, Anne (17 August 2022). "Morrison's ministerial mess needed cleaning up not covering up". The Australian Financial Review. Archived from the original on 17 August 2022. Retrieved 17 August 2022.
167. "Live: 'It's undermined our democracy': Albanese says secret ministerial appointments were government by deception". ABC News. 15 August 2022. Archived from the original on 15 August 2022. Retrieved 16 August 2022.
168. Massola, James; Eddie, Rachel (17 August 2022). "Morrison's secret ministry documents released as Dutton distances himself from former PM". The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 24 August 2022. Retrieved 23 August 2022.
169. Pearson, Nick; Noble, Freya (23 August 2022). "Morrison secret ministry appointment valid but 'undermined principles of responsible government'". Channel 9. Archived from the original on 23 August 2022. Retrieved 24 August 2022.
170. "Solicitor-General Opinion - In the matter of the validity of the appointment of Mr Morrison to administer the Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources". Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. 23 August 2022. Archived from the original on 23 August 2022. Retrieved 24 August 2022.
171. "Former High Court justice Virginia Bell to lead inquiry into Scott Morrison's secret ministries". ABC News. 26 August 2022. Archived from the original on 26 August 2022. Retrieved 26 August 2022.
172. Evans, Jake (25 November 2022). "Report into former prime minister Scott Morrison's secret ministries released". ABC. Archived from the original on 25 November 2022. Retrieved 25 November 2022.
173. "Live: Scott Morrison censured by House of Representatives over secret ministries". ABC News. 30 November 2022. Archived from the original on 30 November 2022. Retrieved 30 November 2022.
174. Crowe, David (23 September 2022). "Secrets and allies: Tribunal jobs raise questions about transparency and cronyism". Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 22 September 2022. Retrieved 23 September 2022.
175. Middleton, Karen (3 September 2022). "Inside Morrison's secretive $18m leadership grant". The Saturday Paper (paywalled). Archived from the original on 3 September 2022. Retrieved 4 September 2022.
176. Middleton, Karen (10 September 2022). "New details in governor-general grant saga". The Saturday Paper (paywalled). Archived from the original on 10 September 2022. Retrieved 10 September 2022.
177. Koslowski, Max (13 August 2019). "PM disputes Chinese claim that HK protests showing 'signs of terrorism'". The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 14 August 2019. Retrieved 11 October 2019.
178. "World reacts to Turkey's military operation in northeast Syria". Al Jazeera. 10 October 2019. Archived from the original on 13 October 2019. Retrieved 11 October 2019.
179. Needham, Kirsty (2 December 2020). "China's WeChat blocks Australian PM in doctored image dispute". Reuters. Archived from the original on 28 January 2021. Retrieved 13 December 2020.
180. "Chinese artist behind doctored image of Australian soldier says he's ready to make more". www.abc.net.au. 1 December 2020. Archived from the original on 13 December 2020. Retrieved 3 December 2020. Mr Fu created the controversial computer graphic on the evening of November 22
181. "China and Australia are in a nasty diplomatic spat over a fake tweet — and real war crimes". Vox. 2 December 2020. Archived from the original on 4 December 2020. Retrieved 3 December 2020.
182. Needham, Kirsty (30 November 2020). "Australia demands apology from China after fake image posted on social media". Reuters . Archived from the original on 2 December 2020. Retrieved 3 December 2020.
183. Taipei, Daniel Hurst Helen Davidson in (30 November 2020). "China rejects Australian PM's call to apologise for 'repugnant' tweet". The Guardian. ISSN   0261-3077. Archived from the original on 24 January 2021. Retrieved 11 December 2020.
184. Flanagan, Tom (1 December 2020). "Chinese artist takes aim at Scott Morrison in confronting new image". Yahoo! News . Archived from the original on 2 December 2020. Retrieved 6 December 2020.
185. Hurst, Daniel; Davidson, Helen; Visontay, Elias (30 November 2020). "Australian MPs unite to condemn 'grossly insulting' Chinese government tweet". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 1 December 2020. Retrieved 30 November 2020.
186. Julia Hollingsworth (30 November 2020). "Australia demands apology after Chinese official tweets 'falsified image' of soldier threatening child". CNN. Archived from the original on 10 December 2020. Retrieved 11 December 2020.
187. "Jacinda Ardern blasts Scott Morrison over Australia's deportation policy – video". The Guardian . Australian Associated Press. 28 February 2020. Archived from the original on 2 March 2020. Retrieved 2 March 2020.
188. Cooke, Henry (28 February 2020). "Extraordinary scene as Jacinda Ardern directly confronts Scott Morrison over deportations". Stuff . Archived from the original on 2 March 2020. Retrieved 2 March 2020.
189. Welch, Dylan; Dredge, Suzanne; Dziedzic, Stephen (16 February 2021). "New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern criticises Australia for stripping dual national terror suspect's citizenship". ABC News . Archived from the original on 16 February 2021. Retrieved 16 February 2021.
190. "Ardern condemns Australia for revoking ISIL suspect's citizenship". Al Jazeera . 16 February 2021. Archived from the original on 16 February 2021. Retrieved 16 February 2021.
191. Manch, Thomas (17 February 2021). "Jacinda Ardern, Scott Morrison agree to work in 'spirit of our relationship' over alleged Isis terrorist". Stuff . Archived from the original on 16 February 2021. Retrieved 17 February 2021.
192. McClure, Tess (30 May 2021). "Jacinda Ardern hosts Scott Morrison in New Zealand for talks with post-Covid 'rulebook' on agenda". The Guardian . Archived from the original on 2 June 2021. Retrieved 3 June 2021.
193. Ardern, Jacinda (31 May 2021). "Joint statement: Prime Ministers Jacinda Ardern and Scott Morrison". Beehive.govt.nz. New Zealand Government. Archived from the original on 2 June 2021. Retrieved 3 June 2021.
194. Mizen, Ronald (1 June 2021). "Morrison, Ardern shore up ANZAC legacy". Australian Financial Review . Archived from the original on 1 June 2021. Retrieved 3 June 2021.
195. Cooke, Henry (1 June 2021). "China slams 'gross interference' from Jacinda Ardern and Scott Morrison's joint statement on Hong Kong and Xinjiang". Stuff . Archived from the original on 1 June 2021. Retrieved 3 June 2021.
196. Neilson, Michael (31 May 2021). "Ardern and Morrison discuss issues around Kiwi-born suspected Isis terrorist's children". The New Zealand Herald . Archived from the original on 1 June 2021. Retrieved 2 June 2021.
197. "'Deporting Australian criminals': Ardern slams Australia's deportation policy in leader's meeting". 9 News . 31 May 2021. Archived from the original on 31 May 2021. Retrieved 2 June 2021.
198. Clun, Rachel (24 February 2022). "Tough stance on Russia needed to deter countries like China: Prime Minister". The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 23 February 2022. Retrieved 27 February 2022.
199. Hitch, Georgia; Dziedzic, Stephen (27 February 2022). "Australia to help send weapons to Ukraine via NATO". ABC News. Archived from the original on 9 March 2022. Retrieved 27 February 2022.
200. "Australia seeks to join global move to hit Putin with sanctions". Reuters. 26 February 2022. Archived from the original on 26 February 2022. Retrieved 27 February 2022.
201. "Pact with U.S., Britain, will see Australia scrap French sub deal-media". Reuters. 15 September 2021. Archived from the original on 15 September 2021. Retrieved 17 September 2021.
202. "Aukus: UK, US and Australia launch pact to counter China". BBC News. 16 September 2021. Archived from the original on 16 September 2021. Retrieved 17 September 2021.
203. Fathi, Romain (24 September 2021). "Why the Australia-France submarine deal collapse was predictable". The Conversation . Archived from the original on 26 September 2021. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
204. "Aukus: French minister condemns US and Australia 'lies' over security pact". BBC News . 19 September 2021. Archived from the original on 20 September 2021. Retrieved 20 September 2021.
205. Australian Associated Press (28 October 2021). "Macron tells Morrison trust was broken". The Canberra Times . Archived from the original on 28 October 2021. Retrieved 29 October 2021.
206. Coorey, Phillip (28 October 2021). "Macron berates Morrison over subs deal in first phone talks" . Australian Financial Review . Archived from the original on 28 October 2021. Retrieved 29 October 2021.
207. Lewins, Dean (15 November 2021). "Is Morrison gaining a reputation for untrustworthiness? The answer could have serious implications for the election". The Conversation . Archived from the original on 16 November 2021. Retrieved 16 November 2021.
208. Riminton, Hugh (2 November 2021). "Branded a 'liar' by the French, Scott Morrison's slipperiness is now on show for the world to see". The Guardian . Archived from the original on 3 November 2021. Retrieved 3 November 2021.
209. Coorey, Phillip (1 November 2021). "'I don't think, I know': Macron brands Morrison a liar". Australian Financial Review . Archived from the original on 1 November 2021. Retrieved 2 November 2021.
210. "Advice on coronavirus" (Press release). Prime Minister of Australia's official website. 13 March 2020. Archived from the original on 16 May 2020. Retrieved 1 April 2020.
211. Hitch, Georgia (29 May 2020). "COAG scrapped, National Cabinet here to stay, PM says". ABC News . Archived from the original on 31 May 2020. Retrieved 29 May 2020.
212. "VIRTUAL SPEECH - SINGAPORE FINTECH FESTIVAL". Official Site of Prime Minister of Australia . 8 December 2020. Archived from the original on 8 December 2020. Retrieved 17 December 2020.
213. "Trans-Tasman bubble: Jacinda Ardern gives details of Australian Cabinet meeting". Radio New Zealand . 5 May 2020. Archived from the original on 5 May 2020. Retrieved 5 May 2020.
214. Wescott, Ben (5 May 2020). "Australia and New Zealand pledge to introduce travel corridor in rare coronavirus meeting". CNN . Archived from the original on 5 May 2020. Retrieved 5 May 2020.
215. "Australian PM Scott Morrison: coronavirus most likely originated in Wuhan market – video". The Guardian . 5 May 2020. Archived from the original on 5 May 2020. Retrieved 5 May 2020.
216. "Scott Morrison tests positive to Covid with 'flu-like symptoms'". the Guardian. Australian Associated Press. 1 March 2022. Archived from the original on 1 March 2022. Retrieved 1 March 2022.
217. "New deal secures potential COVID-19 vaccine for every Australian | Prime Minister of Australia". www.pm.gov.au. Archived from the original on 9 July 2021. Retrieved 30 June 2021.
218. "Scott Morrison spun a Covid vaccine story the public believed – and then it fell apart | Paul Karp". the Guardian. 9 April 2021. Archived from the original on 22 June 2021. Retrieved 30 June 2021.
219. Karp, Paul (7 January 2021). "Australia to roll out Covid vaccine in February, with goal for 4m jabs by March". The Guardian . Archived from the original on 8 January 2021. Retrieved 8 January 2021.
220. Zhou, Naaman (30 March 2021). "Missed it by that much: Australia falls 3.4m doses short of 4m vaccination target by end of March". The Guardian . Archived from the original on 14 January 2022. Retrieved 14 January 2022.
221. Nicholas, Josh; Evershed, Nick; Nicholas, Josh; Evershed, Nick. "Covid Australia vaccine rollout tracker: total number of people and percent vaccinated, daily vaccine doses and rate of progress". The Guardian. ISSN   0261-3077. Archived from the original on 30 June 2021. Retrieved 30 June 2021.
222. Whigham, Nick (26 June 2021). "PM needs a shot of reality on vaccine rollout failure". Yahoo! News . Archived from the original on 30 June 2021. Retrieved 30 June 2021.
223. "Scott Morrison needs a jab on vaccine rollout". The Australian. 22 June 2021. Archived from the original on 10 August 2021. Retrieved 30 June 2021.
224. Stears, Tim Soutphommasane, Marc (25 June 2021). "Your freedom secured with a jab: the incentive that could spur our nation of vaccination laggards". The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 27 June 2021. Retrieved 30 June 2021.
225. Murphy, Katharine (22 July 2021). "'I'm sorry': Scott Morrison apologises for slow pace of Australia's vaccine rollout". The Guardian . Archived from the original on 23 July 2021. Retrieved 24 July 2021.
226. Harris, Rob; Bonyhady, Nick (22 July 2021). "Morrison says sorry for sluggish vaccine rollout, brings forward pharmacy jabs". The Sydney Morning Herald . Archived from the original on 23 July 2021. Retrieved 24 July 2021.
227. Martin, Sarah; Karp, Paul (30 August 2021). "Australia's Covid vaccine challenges have been 'overcome', Scott Morrison says". The Guardian . Archived from the original on 5 September 2021. Retrieved 5 September 2021.
228. Webb, Tiger (30 November 2021). "Tapping into COVID vaccine vernacular, the Macquarie Dictionary names 'strollout' as Australia's word of the year". ABC News . Archived from the original on 29 November 2021. Retrieved 30 November 2021.
229. Astle, David (30 November 2021). "Macquarie's word of the year: Time to strollout the winner". The Sydney Morning Herald . Archived from the original on 30 November 2021. Retrieved 30 November 2021.
230. "Live: Morrison calls Albanese to concede electoral defeat as Labor, independents unseat Coalition". ABC News. 21 May 2022. Archived from the original on 21 May 2022. Retrieved 21 May 2022.
231. Karvelas, Patricia (21 May 2022). "How Scott Morrison lost the election as Anthony Albanese triumphs in a sea of teal". ABC News. Archived from the original on 21 May 2022. Retrieved 21 May 2022.
232. Mayes, Andrea (21 May 2022). "Election 2022: WA sees huge swing away from the Liberals, with Swan, Pearce, Hasluck lost". ABC News. Archived from the original on 21 May 2022. Retrieved 21 May 2022.
233. "Australian people 'have delivered their verdict': Scott Morrison concedes 2022 federal election" . The Age . 21 May 2022. Archived from the original on 21 May 2022. Retrieved 21 May 2022.
234. Tillet, Andrew (23 May 2022). "Albanese woos crossbench as insurance as he inches towards majority". Australian Financial Review . Archived from the original on 24 May 2022. Retrieved 24 May 2022.
235. Clarke, Tyrone (23 May 2022). "Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirms deal with existing crossbenchers to secure confidence amid election victory". Sky News Australia. Archived from the original on 25 May 2022. Retrieved 25 May 2022.
236. "Five Labor MPs to be immediately sworn in first ahead of key Quad trip". Sky News. 21 May 2022. Archived from the original on 31 May 2022. Retrieved 22 May 2022.
237. "Anthony Albanese and four senior frontbenchers sworn in ahead of Quad trip". ABC News. 23 May 2022. Archived from the original on 22 May 2022. Retrieved 29 May 2022.
238. Clun, Rachel; Thompson, Angus (22 July 2022). "Morrison government 'placed pressure' on Home Affairs over election-day boat intercept". Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 22 July 2022. Retrieved 22 July 2022.
239. Doherty, Ben; Karp, Paul (23 July 2022). "Coalition 'subverted democracy' with election-day statement on asylum boat, Labor says". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 23 July 2022. Retrieved 24 July 2022.
240. Pezzullo, Michael (1 June 2022). "SIEV 915 and the Commander Joint Agency Task Force Operation Sovereign Borders public statement" (PDF). Department of Home Affairs. Archived (PDF) from the original on 26 July 2022. Retrieved 27 July 2022.. The report applies and attaches the "Guidance on Caretaker Conventions 2021".
241. Giannini, Dominic; Osborne, Paul (30 May 2022). "Morrison won't be on frontbench: Dutton". The Canberra Times . Archived from the original on 31 May 2022. Retrieved 1 June 2022.
242. Burton, Tom (3 May 2023). "Morrison wins Washington security gig". Australian Financial Review . Archived from the original on 5 May 2023. Retrieved 7 May 2023.
243. Riga, Jessica (14 December 2022). "Scott Morrison gives evidence at Robodebt royal commission — as it happened". ABC News. Archived from the original on 10 July 2023. Retrieved 10 July 2023.
244. Holmes, Catherine (7 July 2023). "Report of the Royal Commission into the Robodebt Scheme". Royal Commission into the Robodebt Scheme. Archived from the original on 8 July 2023. Retrieved 10 July 2023.
245. Riga, Jessica (15 August 2022). "Anthony Albanese responds to Scott Morrison's five additional ministerial roles". ABC News. Archived from the original on 15 August 2022. Retrieved 16 August 2022.
246. Karp, Paul (30 November 2022). "Scott Morrison becomes first former Australian prime minister to be censured by parliament". Guardian Australia . Archived from the original on 1 December 2022. Retrieved 3 December 2022.
247. Jacobs, Jennifer (24 January 2024). "Former Australian PM Morrison Joins Trump Aide's Consulting Firm". Bloomberg. Archived from the original on 24 January 2024. Retrieved 25 January 2024.
248. Manwaring, Rob (24 August 2018). "What kind of prime minister will Scott Morrison be?". The Conversation . Archived from the original on 24 August 2018. Retrieved 25 August 2018.
249. Cave, Damien (18 May 2019). "Prime Minister Scott Morrison Seizes a Stunning Win". The New York Times . Archived from the original on 18 May 2019. Retrieved 19 May 2019.
250. "Scott Morrison: Australia's conservative pragmatist". BBC . 18 May 2019. Archived from the original on 25 May 2019. Retrieved 25 May 2019.
251. Massola, James (21 March 2021). "Who's who in the Liberals' left, right and centre factions?". The Sydney Morning Herald . Archived from the original on 22 March 2021. Retrieved 22 March 2021.
252. Seecombe, Mike (24 July 2021). "How power and factionalism work in Berejikliand" . The Saturday Paper . Archived from the original on 25 July 2021. Retrieved 27 July 2021.
253. Anderson, Claire (11 March 2021). "Queen gets backing from Australia's Prime Minister after calls to abolish monarchy". Express.co.uk. Archived from the original on 24 June 2021. Retrieved 15 June 2021.
254. "Scott Morrison declares himself a constitutional monarchist". The Australian . Archived from the original on 10 August 2021. Retrieved 15 June 2021.
255. Dennett, Harley (23 January 2021). "Scott Morrison draws fire over Australia Day comments". The Canberra Times . Archived from the original on 22 January 2021. Retrieved 24 January 2021.
256. Hytner, Mike (21 January 2021). "Scott Morrison criticised for saying 26 January 'wasn't a flash day for those on first fleet vessels either'". The Guardian . Archived from the original on 22 January 2021. Retrieved 23 January 2021.
257. "Morrison says no to debate on euthanasia". SBS World News . 18 May 2015. Archived from the original on 14 September 2019. Retrieved 19 May 2015.
258. Cave, Damien; Kwai, Isabella (22 April 2019). "Why Has Australia Fallen Out of Love With Immigration?" . The New York Times . Archived from the original on 28 April 2019. Retrieved 27 April 2019.
259. "Scott Morrison the man behind contentious immigration policy". The Straits Times . 25 August 2018. Archived from the original on 25 August 2018. Retrieved 27 August 2018.
260. "Australians want boat arrivals treated more harshly: poll". The Sydney Morning Herald. 8 January 2014. Archived from the original on 14 January 2014. Retrieved 20 January 2014.
261. Griffith, Emma (23 September 2013). "Scott Morrison says Government won't reveal when asylum seekers boats turned back". ABC News . Archived from the original on 11 December 2021. Retrieved 28 September 2013.
262. Davidson, Helen (19 September 2018). "'I stopped these': Scott Morrison keeps migrant boat trophy in office". The Guardian . Archived from the original on 22 September 2018. Retrieved 22 September 2018.
263. Doherty, Ben (15 May 2021). "Indefinite detention of refugees is unlawful under international law, but Australia has quietly made it legal". The Guardian . Archived from the original on 17 May 2021. Retrieved 18 May 2021.
264. "Same sex marriage: Scott Morrison reveals why he is voting no". News.com.au . 31 August 2017. Archived from the original on 4 September 2017. Retrieved 5 September 2017.
265. Gogarty, Brendan; Hilkemeijer, Anja (26 November 2017). "Conservative amendments to same-sex marriage bill would make Australia's laws the world's weakest". The Conversation. Archived from the original on 27 November 2017. Retrieved 28 November 2017.
266. "Legislative Tracker: Marriage Amendment (Definition and Religious Freedoms) Bill 2017". Parliament of Australia. 15 November 2017. Archived from the original on 25 August 2018. Retrieved 25 August 2018.
267. Bourke, Latika; Ireland, Judith (8 December 2017). "Same-sex marriage: Tony Abbott, Barnaby Joyce, Scott Morrison and the other MPs who didn't vote 'yes' or 'no'". The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 24 August 2018. Retrieved 25 August 2018.
268. "Results and Publications". marriagesurvey.abs.gov.au. 15 November 2017. Archived from the original on 25 August 2018. Retrieved 25 August 2018. For breakdown of results by electorate download the Response.xls file and refer to table 2
269. Karp, Paul (20 November 2017). "Scott Morrison: at least as many voters want religious freedom as marriage equality". The Guardian . Archived from the original on 25 November 2017. Retrieved 24 November 2017.
270. Yaxley, Louise (8 December 2017). "Same-sex marriage signed into law by Governor-General, first weddings to happen from January 9". ABC News (Australia) . Archived from the original on 11 December 2017. Retrieved 12 December 2017.
271. Curtis, Katina (11 April 2022). "Morrison backs Liberals who want to ban trans women from female sports". The Sydney Morning Herald . Archived from the original on 12 April 2022. Retrieved 12 April 2022.
272. McLeod, Catie (13 April 2022). "Anthony Albanese criticises Scott Morrison for backing ban on trans women in female sports". The Australian . Archived from the original on 26 April 2023. Retrieved 15 April 2022.
273. "House of Representatives Official Hansard No. 1, 2017 Thursday, 9 February 2017 FORTY-FIFTH PARLIAMENT FIRST SESSION—SECOND PERIOD". House of Representatives. 9 February 2017. Archived from the original on 20 January 2022. Retrieved 13 March 2022.
274. "Other world leaders have called a UN report on climate change a 'wake-up call', but Australia's PM isn't going to budge". www.abc.net.au. 10 August 2021. Archived from the original on 10 September 2021. Retrieved 10 September 2021.
275. "When Will Australia's Prime Minister Accept the Reality of the Climate Crisis?". The New Yorker. 15 January 2020. Archived from the original on 19 May 2021. Retrieved 10 September 2021.
276. Taylor, Lenore (17 June 2014). "Australia kills off carbon tax". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 17 July 2014. Retrieved 18 June 2014.
277. Murphy, Katharine (9 February 2017). "Scott Morrison brings coal to question time: what fresh idiocy is this?". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 10 February 2017. Retrieved 10 February 2017.
278. Mao, Frances (22 October 2021). "Climate change: Why Australia refuses to give up coal". BBC News. Archived from the original on 23 October 2021. Retrieved 23 October 2021.
279. Verdonck, Rob (10 November 2021). "Capitalism — Not Government — Will Fix Climate Change, Australia Says". Bloomberg. Archived from the original on 21 November 2021. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
280. "Australian PM Downplays Climate Change as Cause of Deadly Fires". Bloomberg.com. 22 December 2019. Archived from the original on 28 November 2020. Retrieved 10 September 2021.
281. "Thousands protest against climate change policies amid bushfire emergency". www.abc.net.au. 10 January 2020. Archived from the original on 10 September 2021. Retrieved 10 September 2021.
282. "Australia resists calls for tougher climate targets". BBC News. 23 April 2021. Archived from the original on 10 September 2021. Retrieved 10 September 2021.
283. Angela Dewan (9 September 2021). "Australia's Scott Morrison doesn't deny pressuring UK to drop climate asks from trade deal". CNN. Archived from the original on 10 September 2021. Retrieved 10 September 2021.
284. "Scott Morrison: Australia PM to attend COP26 summit after global pressure". BBC News. 15 October 2021. Archived from the original on 15 October 2021. Retrieved 15 October 2021.
285. Watson, Angus; Chang, Wayne (15 October 2021). "Australian leader Scott Morrison will attend COP26 climate summit". CNN . Archived from the original on 16 October 2021. Retrieved 16 October 2021.
286. Coorey, Phillip (26 October 2021). "Morrison's net zero plan is lightweight, and deliberately so". Australian Financial Review . Archived from the original on 27 October 2021. Retrieved 28 October 2021.
287. Petrakis, Maria (29 October 2021). "Net zero: Australia's Scott Morrison and his climate change balancing act". Los Angeles Times . Archived from the original on 29 October 2021. Retrieved 30 October 2021.
288. Beaumont, Adrian (27 April 2020). "Labor gains in Newspoll despite Morrison's continued approval surge; Trump's ratings slide". The Conversation. Archived from the original on 28 January 2024. Retrieved 28 January 2024.
289. "Since March 2019 government trust & distrust have fluctuated but 2021 ended with soaring levels of distrust". Roy Morgan Research . 22 March 2022. Archived from the original on 22 March 2022. Retrieved 23 March 2022.
290. "'Seismic shift' from major parties defines 2022 election". Australian National University. 5 December 2022. Archived from the original on 22 January 2023. Retrieved 22 January 2023.
291. Martin, Sarah (6 September 2022). "Guardian Essential poll: about half say Scott Morrison should resign over secret ministries". Guardian Australia . Archived from the original on 28 January 2024. Retrieved 28 January 2024.
292. Crowe, David (28 December 2023). "Wong tops list of popular politicians – and a former hero now comes last" . The Sydney Morning Herald . Archived from the original on 29 December 2023. Retrieved 28 January 2024.
293. Karp, Paul (12 November 2021). "Scott Morrison says he 'believes' he has never told a lie in public life – was that a lie?". Guardian Australia . Archived from the original on 28 January 2024. Retrieved 28 January 2024.
294. "A dossier of lies and falsehoods - How Scott Morrison manipulates the truth". Crikey . Archived from the original on 28 January 2024. Retrieved 28 January 2024.
295. "Australia prime minister attacks French leader's credibility". ABC News. Archived from the original on 3 April 2022. Retrieved 3 April 2022.
296. Crowe, David (3 November 2021). "'He's lied to me': Turnbull joins Macron in rebuking PM on subs deal". The Sydney Morning Herald . Retrieved 5 May 2024.
297. Cockburn, Paige; Parkes-Hupton, Heath (2 February 2022). "Ministers deny role in leaked text exchange between Gladys Berejiklian and mystery MP". ABC News . Archived from the original on 2 February 2022. Retrieved 3 February 2022.
298. Murphy, Katharine (4 February 2022). "Barnaby Joyce called Scott Morrison 'a hypocrite and a liar' in leaked text message". The Guardian . Archived from the original on 4 February 2022. Retrieved 4 February 2022.
299. Massola, James; McMillan, Ashleigh (5 February 2022). "Barnaby Joyce offered his resignation after texts calling PM 'a hypocrite and a liar' were leaked". The Sydney Morning Herald . Archived from the original on 7 February 2022. Retrieved 7 February 2022.
300. Megalogenis, George (9 April 2022). "The race card with a twist: Towke turned the table on Morrison, and it hurt". The Sydney Morning Herald . Archived from the original on 9 April 2022. Retrieved 10 April 2022.
301. Murray, Duncan (5 April 2022). "'Brutal': MP's scathing take on ScoMo and Liberal party". The Australian . Archived from the original on 26 April 2023. Retrieved 8 April 2022.
302. Speers, David (31 March 2022). "Concetta Fierravanti-Wells gave Scott Morrison a budget night shock — but he has his own surprise to come". ABC News . Archived from the original on 30 March 2022. Retrieved 31 March 2022.
303. "Rugby lover's divided loyalties" . The Australian . 10 September 2018. Archived from the original on 28 August 2023. Retrieved 12 September 2018.
304. Maiden, Samantha (2 August 2013). "Scott Morrison talks faith, politics and creating Lara Bingle". The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on 17 December 2019. Retrieved 7 February 2018.
305. Burke, Helena (29 July 2021). "Prime Minister praises his 'long-suffering' wife". The Australian . News Corp Australia. Archived from the original on 29 July 2021. Retrieved 15 January 2022.
306. Baker, Jordan (12 May 2019). "Meet Jenny Morrison, the 'unrecognisable' woman behind the PM". The Sydney Morning Herald . Nine Entertainment Co. Archived from the original on 11 May 2019. Retrieved 15 January 2022.
307. Foster, Ally (31 October 2019). "Jenny Morrison opens up about 14 year infertility struggle". News.com.au . News Corp Australia. Archived from the original on 31 October 2019. Retrieved 15 January 2022.
308. McGowan, Michael (3 September 2018). "Scott Morrison sends his children to private school to avoid 'skin curling' sexuality discussions". Guardian Australia. Archived from the original on 3 September 2018. Retrieved 3 September 2018.
309. How well do you know Australia's 30th Prime Minister Scott Morrison? | Kitchen Cabinet Archived 3 March 2020 at the Wayback Machine , Australian Broadcasting Corporation, 2015. Accessed 1 September 2018.
310. Molloy, Shannon (28 August 2018). From talking in tongues to 'divine faith', could Scott Morrison's religion be a liability? News.com.au Archived 28 August 2018 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved 28 August 2018
311. Hutchens, Gareth (7 September 2018). "'Darkness' coming if Scott Morrison not re-elected, Pentecostal leader claims". the Guardian. Archived from the original on 7 September 2018. Retrieved 7 September 2018.
312. Molloy, Shannon (28 August 2018). "From talking in tongues to 'divine faith', could Scott Morrison's religion be a liability?". news.com.au . Archived from the original on 28 August 2018. Retrieved 8 March 2022.
313. Massola, James; Bagshaw, Eryk (22 December 2017). "'I'm not going to put up with it any more': Morrison vows to defend Christianity in 2018". The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 16 February 2018. Retrieved 15 February 2018.
314. Martin, Sarah (26 April 2021). "Scott Morrison tells Christian conference he was called to do God's work as prime minister". the Guardian. Archived from the original on 26 April 2021. Retrieved 26 April 2021.
315. "Scott Morrison rejects idea he believes God chose him to be PM after warning against 'identity politics'". the Guardian. 30 April 2021. Archived from the original on 31 May 2021. Retrieved 30 June 2021.
316. "Scott Morrison urges Perth churchgoers to put faith in God 'not governments' in mental health speech". msn.com. 19 July 2022. Retrieved 21 July 2022.
317. Page, Fleta (21 July 2022). "Albanese 'astonished' by Morrison's anti-government comments". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 21 July 2022.
318. Ritchie, Hannah (26 April 2024). "Scott Morrison: Australian ex-PM reveals he had anxiety struggle while in office". BBC. Retrieved 26 April 2024.
319. Trump awards Morrison with top military honour, Canberra: The Australian, 22 December 2020, archived from the original on 10 August 2021, retrieved 23 December 2020

Notes

1. In Australian English, "ordinary" can mean bad or undesirable.
2. The statement says that the appointments were made "consistently with" Constitution section 64. Section 64 provides for appointment of "Ministers of State" to "administer such departments of State of the Commonwealth as the Governor-General in Council may establish". The Governor-General does this formally on the advice of the Executive Council and in effect on that of the prime minister.

Further reading

• Gauja, Anika; Sawer, Marian; Simms, Marian, eds. (2020). Morrison's Miracle: The 2019 Australian Federal Election (PDF). ANU Press. ISBN   9781760463625. Archived (PDF) from the original on 12 July 2020. Retrieved 11 July 2020.
• Kelly, Sean (2021). The Game: A Portrait of Scott Morrison . Melbourne: Black Inc. ISBN   9781760643119.
• Patrick, Aaron (2019). The Surprise Party: How the Coalition Went from Chaos to Comeback . Melbourne: Black Inc. ISBN   9781760642174. Archived from the original on 16 February 2022. Retrieved 31 December 2021.
• Onselen, Peter van; Errington, Wayne (2021). How Good is Scott Morrison? . Sydney: Hachette Australia. ISBN   9780733645747.
• Smethurst, Annika (2021). The Accidental Prime Minister . Sydney: Hachette Australia. ISBN   9780733646942.

External links

• Official website
• Scott Morrison on X
• Bell, Virginia (25 November 2022). "Report of the Inquiry into the Appointment of the Former Prime Minister to Administer Multiple Departments" . Retrieved 25 November 2022.
• Gladstone, Nigel (25 November 2022). "Scott Morrison responds to secret ministries report". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 25 November 2022.

Parliament of Australia
Preceded by Bruce Baird	Member of Parliament for Cook 2007–2024	Succeeded by Simon Kennedy
Political offices
Preceded by Tony Burke	Minister for Immigration and Border Protection 2013–2014	Succeeded by Peter Dutton
Preceded by Kevin Andrews	Minister for Social Services 2014–2015	Succeeded by Christian Porter
Preceded by Joe Hockey	Treasurer of Australia 2015–2018	Succeeded by Josh Frydenberg
Preceded by Malcolm Turnbull	Prime Minister of Australia 2018–2022	Succeeded by Anthony Albanese
Preceded by Mathias Cormann	Minister for the Public Service 2019–2021	Succeeded by Ben Morton
Party political offices
Preceded by Malcolm Turnbull	Leader of the Liberal Party 2018–2022	Succeeded by Peter Dutton