"Good riddance": Disgraceful trolls abuse Scott Morrison after the death of his father
In the wake of his father’s death, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has been the victim of hurls of insulting and abusive comments.
After announcing on Thursday morning that his father John, a former politician, had died peacefully at the age of 84, a number of trolls used the sad news to hurl abusive comments at the Prime Minister.
“He lived a great life and was much loved,” Mr Morrison said of the “loving husband, wonderful father and devoted grandfather”.
Within minutes of the emotional tribute given by the PM, people used the opportunity to say “good riddance”.
A continuous insult was one parroted by words once said by radio shock jock Alan Jones, who notoriously said former PM Julia Gillard's father “died of shame” in 2012.
Jones was referring to disappointment and fury over Ms Gillard's carbon tax policy, which has since been compared to Mr Morrison's heavily criticised handling of the bushfire crisis.
“He probably died of shame with the way ScoMo handled the bushfires,” one said.
One social media user wrote she didn’t have much sympathy for Mr Morrison as she claimed that the Liberal Party disability policy had resulted in the deaths of many more people.
“I feel I need a government grant of approximately $190,000 for an Empathy Consultant in order to write a better sympathy card for you,” she said.
Other critics said Mr Morrison and the Liberal Party would use and exploit John's death for political gain.
“Bet he pumps it for sympathy like someone doing CPR on a fat man,” one user wrote.
Others took the time to criticise the deceased John Morrison himself – from his police to his relation to the PM.
“Scott Morrison's father, a cop, passed away. Hell yeah,” one person mercilessly said.
Another wrote: “I am pretty sure Scott Morrison inherited his racist and authoritarian worldview from his father, which is why I am pretty sure John didn't die of shame for his vicious son.”
A third added to the conversation hate: “He did a great job of raising his son… what a pity he bred Australia's biggest loser.”
However, compassion seemed to win out in the end as several people from all sides of the political spectrum took to social media to sympathise with Mr Morrison.
One said the Prime Minister deserved to be treated with “respect”, as did his father’s legacy.
Many hit back at the enraged people defending Mr Morrison, with one writing:
“Scott Morrison's leadership is far more damaging and offensive to literally everything than joking about his dead father”.
“I truly don't care if you get upset by poor taste in these circumstances. If you don't respect basic reality you don't deserve basic respect.”
Mr Morrison shared a series of family photos along with a heartfelt tribute to the former soldier and policeman.
“He was a loving husband to my mum Marion for 57 years. He was a wonderful father to me and my brother Alan. He loved Jen as a daughter and was a devoted grandfather to our girls,” he wrote.
“Love you Dad and well done good and faithful servant.”
The politician praised his dad for “living a life of love, faith, duty and service”.
“Dad had a deep and committed Christian faith, which is one of his numerous legacies in my life,” he said.
“Our family will miss him terribly, but we are extremely thankful for his great blessing in all of our lives.”
John is survived by his wife Marion, his sons, Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Alan Morrison, and his grandchildren.
Despite the tragic news of his father's passing, Mr Morrison went ahead and gave a press conference in Canberra on Thursday.
The Prime Minister spoke about the controversial Bridget McKenzie scandal in relation to alleged “sports rorts”.
Just a mere three hours later, Mr Morrison announced that his father had passed away the previous night.