Scomo enters fierce exchange with 14-year-old journo
Scott Morrison’s latest interview became heated after the 14-year-old journalist interviewing him came in with hard-hitting questions on some touchy subjects.
The prime minister appeared in an interview with independent media outlet 6News, hosted by Leonardo Puglisi and reporter Roman Mackinnon, who caught Mr Morrison off-guard with well-researched questions spanning topics such as the election and the truth behind past claims.
When asked about trust, particularly relating to Mr Morrison claiming he never referred to former NSW senator Sam Dastyari as ‘Shanghai Sam’ and claims relating to never visiting Hillsong, the PM accused “the media” of lying.
“They’ve completely taken out of context what I’ve said,” Mr Morrison said.
“I didn’t say I haven’t been to Hillsong Church, I said I don’t go to the Hillsong Church, that’s not my home church.”
“Again, bunkum on what was being put around.”
Puglisi doubled down on the claims, bringing up Crikey’'s ‘Dossier of Lies and Falsehoods’, which detailed 50 times where Mr Morrison lied in public office, and fact-checking by the ABC, which seemed to escalate the situation.
“If you’re talking about credibility it’s not a good start.. It’s a gossip column,” Mr Morrison said.
“The ABC, and Crikey, let’s add a few more then, the Australian Institute is probably going to be the next one, I suspect.”
After quickly diffusing the situation, the exchange became heated for a second time after Pugilisi mentioned that direct quotes were used by the ABC and Crikey and after Mr Morrison began questioning where Labor leader Anthony Albanese’s economic plan was.
PM Scott Morrison: "Where's @AlboMP's economic plan...do you know?"@Leo_Puglisi6: "We're trying to speak to (him) & we'd love if his media team gave us a call" 📞
FULL INTERVIEW: https://t.co/uX3U2sb194#6NewsAU #AusPol | https://t.co/eU0kSSqhk6 pic.twitter.com/Hb70BnVUxn
— 6 News Australia (@6NewsAU) April 7, 2022
“I think the heated moments showed the PM was actually paying attention to our questions, but I didn’t back down as I needed to make sure the truth got out there and the questions were actually answers,” Pugilisi told OverSixty via email.
He added that it was difficult to keep the interview going when it became heated, but that he ensured Mr Morrison was ‘pulled up’.
“It was a bit hard, especially when the PM’s answers kept requiring follow-up - but with only around 15 minutes allocated to the interview it was necessary to move on,” Puglisi said.
“That being said, I didn’t wanna let him get away with a falsehood and I made sure to pull him up.”
The interview comes a day after Mr Morrison cancelled his interview with ABC’s 7.30, which was rescheduled for the following week and aired the day before the full, uncensored interview with 6News.
Watch the full interview below:
Image: SIX News Australia (YouTube)