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"It's been fun": ScoMo joins in on nationwide roasting of himself

As the internet banded together to create memes and art out of Scott Morrison's secret ministerial roles, the former PM thought he would join in the fun. After the news broke of ScoMo secretly appointing himself to at least five ministries without the public's knowledge while he was prime minister, businesses, artists, journalists, and internet fiends alike started rolling out the memes of Morrison working different roles. But the barrage of sarcasm came to a screeching halt on Thursday night, when the opposition backbencher joined in. The Member for Cook's official Facebook page went on a commenting spree, replying to more than a dozen memes from Aussie companies welcoming him to their team. "It's been fun joining in on all the memes. But there are so many now I can't keep up," Morrison said, in a post accompanying his own attempt at a meme. "As Aussies we can always have a chuckle at ourselves. Have a good evening." "This was my own effort with the Sooshi Mango boys. Glad to be also joining their team, along with all the other gigs you guys have given me today." <iframe style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fscottmorrisonmp%2Fposts%2Fpfbid02ugv6rDyELJ2DJek9XCdS9bGMH5UUNoLRJXMrRr4pKUL11aL2rzgU2hNqx78aMNoFl&show_text=true&width=500" width="500" height="472" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> The former PM gleefully responded to Photoshopped posts showing him tiling, concreting, moving a piano and even modelling a new range of fetching women's sun shirts. Some commenters praised Morrison's tongue in cheek reaction, thanking him for a "few good chuckles" but others were not so complimentary. <iframe style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fmalidesignsau%2Fposts%2Fpfbid02oEDWSsUV6fAgodQLu7CrudeJmdZoK8suoTLDWL5CPdNjUhgSsxeARiU5PGifEWZ8l&show_text=true&width=500" width="500" height="459" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <iframe style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FJeffordtreeservices%2Fposts%2Fpfbid09yc15H4KprM5vD8T7yPexQ44SZyPjCGb7TmU8XaWq41tphsXdAQnGUUNUhxx5nu1l&show_text=true&width=500" width="500" height="658" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <iframe style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fsouthportbudgettyres%2Fposts%2Fpfbid02ZvRpAcmCJnwF61KB6tVEK4ieU1EYPT9Q1ZLAsHx1Qaoi3fXXX89E78wPLQeKAwjjl&show_text=true&width=500" width="500" height="432" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <iframe style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Frooftilersmind%2Fposts%2Fpfbid02MvegtBhwppWBRqUdNP6aCe7GNuyUKdxckkYFQKvDVoQZjX7z3Zu8zUHd6Rijf7W1l&show_text=true&width=500" width="500" height="608" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> "You think the running of this country is a joke," one user wrote. "Have some humility and say you made a mistake. We don't need US-style gloating about how badly you behaved in office." Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has launched an investigation into how Morrison was able to take on extra portfolios in secret during his time in the top job, describing the moves as "beyond belief". Image credits: Facebook

Money & Banking

Grace Tame delivers snide dig amid ScoMo’s cabinet drama

Amid the news that Scott Morrison reportedly gave himself powers to run three government portfolios, activist Grace Tame has joined in with a scathing hot-take of her own. “You see now, we had to stop him from swearing himself in as Australian of the Year 2022,” the 27-year-old tweeted, sharing the infamous photo of herself with the former Prime Minister when she met him at the Lodge at the start of the year. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> you see now, we had to stop him from swearing himself in as Australian of the Year for 2022 <a href="https://t.co/qlWsxyHi4f">pic.twitter.com/qlWsxyHi4f</a> — Grace Tame (@TamePunk) <a href="https://twitter.com/TamePunk/status/1559022544518545408?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 15, 2022</a></blockquote> Many were quick to praise Tame and jump in on the fun, joking that Mr Morrison made himself the ‘minister for side-eyeing’ and the minister for women. “You had him figured from the start Grace,” New England MP Tony Windsor commented. “Who didn't know that he was a risky choice from day one? He is a friend of Harvey Norman for God’s sake,” another wrote. Tame’s jab comes after the current Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, announced that the government would investigate claims that Mr Morrison secretly appointed himself as the minister for health, finance, and resources during the pandemic. Mr Albanese said the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet is seeking legal advice from the solicitor-general in the wake of the claims, published by <a href="https://www.theaustralian.com.au/subscribe/news/1/?sourceCode=TAWEB_WRE170_a_GGL&dest=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.theaustralian.com.au%2Fnation%2Fpolitics%2Fscott-morrison-appointed-by-gg-to-take-control-of-department-of-industry-science-energy-and-resources-11months-before-he-scuttled-offshore-gas-project%2Fnews-story%2F38338e07f09df91fa68409cde43e013c&memtype=anonymous&mode=premium&v21=dynamic-low-test-score&V21spcbehaviour=append" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Australian</a> and <a href="https://www.news.com.au/national/politics/scott-morrison-shocked-minister-by-secretly-swearing-himself-into-cabinet-portfolio/news-story/ac7505f1648a335ccd01f88faf881086" target="_blank" rel="noopener">news.com.au</a>’s coverage of Plagued, a new book from political journalists Simon Bensen and Geoff Chambers. Governor-General David Hurley confirmed that he secretly signed instruments to allow Mr Morrison to administer the portfolios, “consistent with section 64 of the constitution”. Mr Hurley said it wasn’t uncommon for ministers to be appointed to other departments, but that the decision to publicise it “is a matter for the government of the day”. The <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-08-15/scott-morrison-secret-ministry-appointments-to-be-investigated/101332916" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ABC</a> reported that then-Health Minister Greg Hunt was aware of Mr Morrison’s joint position and agreed to it as a safeguard in case he was struck down by COVID-19, but that Matthias Cormann, the former Finance Minister, wasn’t told the Prime Minister had appointed himself as joint finance minister. Keith Pitt, the former Resources Minister, told the ABC that Mr Morrison used his self-appointment to the resources portfolio to stop a controversial gas drilling project on the NSW south coast. Mr Albanese said the revelations were “extraordinary” and “just weird”. “The people of Australia were kept in the dark as to what the ministerial arrangements were, it’s completely unacceptable,” he said on Monday. “This is very contrary to our Westminster system. It was cynical and it was just weird that this has occurred.” Mr Albanese said the allegations were serious, and that they might explain the controversial rollout of COVID-19 vaccines at the height of the pandemic. “Perhaps this explains why we didn’t order enough vaccines. I mean, the Minister for Health might have thought the Prime Minister was ordering them because he was also the Minister for Health, and he thought the Minister for Health was ordering them,” Mr Albanese said. According to Sky News, Mr Morrison has declined to comment on the accusations, claiming he hasn’t “engaged in any day to day politics” since his election loss in May. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> .<a href="https://twitter.com/Kieran_Gilbert?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Kieran_Gilbert</a> asked former Prime Minister Scott Morrison whether he wished to respond to today's revelations & PM Albanese. Mr Morrison said -- "No, haven’t seen what he has said. Since leaving the job I haven’t engaged in any day to day politics". <a href="https://twitter.com/SkyNewsAust?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SkyNewsAust</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/auspol?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#auspol</a> — Cam Reddin (@CamReddin) <a href="https://twitter.com/CamReddin/status/1559032433529393152?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 15, 2022</a></blockquote> “No, haven’t seen what [Mr Albanese] has said,” Mr Morrison told Sky News reporter Kieran Gilbert. “Since leaving the job I haven’t engaged in any day to day politics.” Meanwhile, AAP New Zealand correspondent Ben McKay confirmed that New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern hasn’t engaged in similar behaviour. “Thought best to double check. New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says she has never secretly sworn herself into other ministeries,” he <a href="https://twitter.com/benmackey/status/1559025854914895872" target="_blank" rel="noopener">tweeted</a>. Image: Twitter

News

ScoMo reveals surprise new career plans

Former Prime Minister Scott Morrison has taken up a new side hustle in his new life after politics, as he prepares to hit the international circuit to defend Australia's Covid-19 response. Despite anger of the rollout of the vaccine program and the RAT test mess over Christmas, Mr Morrison plans to tell international audiences that his government will be looked back on favourable due to their handling of the pandemic. In an address to the Asian Leadership Conference in Seoul, he’ll insist Australia can be proud of its virus record. “The results we were able to achieve were no accident. It was ‘no fluke’ as we like to say,” he will say in his speech, which he provided to The Australian. “Australia’s results do tell a proud story. One of the lowest fatality rates, highest vaccination rates and strongest economic performances of any developed country in the world." “Australia’s response saved an estimated 40,000 lives.” After having his pay slashed from $550,000 to $211,250 as a backbencher, Mr Morrison is expected to quit politics for good before the next election and is believed to be chasing other board roles. In his speech, he reflected on what he learned while in office. “As I look back on those times now, there are many take-outs, especially from a leadership perspective. One of the most important is that in a crisis leaders must be across the detail." “You set the pace, tone and direction of the national response. Attention to detail matters critically, especially when it comes to process." “Events move very quickly in a crisis. Sound process provides the guardrails to get things as right as you can, and the mechanisms to fix them quickly when you don’t.” “The flow and source of your information and advice, the decision-making process, your accountability and follow-up mechanisms, implementation plans – it all matters,” he said. Image credits: Getty Images

Money & Banking

New Treasurer claims ScoMo left economy in "a mess"

New Labor Treasurer Jim Chalmers has claimed Scott Morrison left Australia's economy in "a mess", and warned Aussies of a "serious economic challenges" ahead. At a press conference on Wednesday, Chalmers told the media that inflation and interest rates were higher since the end of March, petrol prices were up 12 per cent since the end of April, and wholesale electricity and gas prices were also significantly higher under the Morrison government. “We do have labour shortages and we do still have Covid absenteeism, and the international environment has become more challenging as well,” he told reporters. “There is no point tiptoeing around these serious economic challenges. There is no point mincing words about the sorts of conditions that we have inherited." “We have inherited high and rising inflation and rising interest rates, we’ve inherited falling real wages and we’ve inherited $1 trillion in debt.” He went on to say that the economy forecast was weaker in March than the Morrison government claimed at election time, while saying, “Consumption, dwelling investment, new business investment, exports and nominal GDP were all weaker in the March quarter than was anticipated by our predecessors.” “These national accounts are a glimpse of the mess that the former government left behind for us to clean up." “Obviously, we want the economy to recover strongly. Obviously, we want household consumption and other key elements of the national accounts to be as strong as possible. “But even when, on the surface, they might look stronger than they have been during the worst of Covid, they are still short of what the government was hoping for.” In relation to growing energy costs, Chalmers said there was a "perfect storm" of challenges facing the energy market. “These are the costs and consequences of almost a decade now of a government with 22 different energy policies failing to land the necessary certainty to improve the resilience of our energy markets,” he said. “This is the chickens coming home to roost when it comes to almost a decade now on climate change and energy policy failure from our predecessors." The Albanese government has been passionate about their climate change policy, with a strong goal of reaching net zero by 2050. Despite the government's passion for energy reform, financial experts have warned that growing oil and gas prices could plunge Australia into a recession before Christmas if radical change isn't made sooner rather than later. Chalmers also said that workers on a minimum wage should not be further disadvantaged through the ongoing cost of living crisis. “Minimum wage workers were in many cases the heroes of the pandemic. They shouldn’t be going backwards in this cost of living crisis,” he said. Although Labor are dedicated to reducing the cost of living, The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) said global events – including the rolling conflict in Ukraine – would continue to impact the Australian economy in the months ahead. Image credits: Getty Images

News

Surprise surprise: ScoMo crash-tackling a child has gone viral

Prime Minister Scott Morrison accidentally shoulder-charged a small child while playing soccer in Tasmania - and the internet has had plenty to say about it. Mr Morrison was playing a training game with the kids while campaigning in the seat of Braddon when he made a run towards the ball, not seeing the small child in his path, before colliding with them and becoming entangled on the ground. “I’m surprised he hasn’t been taken to hospital,” he joked. Luca Fauvette, the child in question, was fine. Both Mr Morrison and the soccer club made statements about the collision on Facebook, with the PM praising the boy for being “such a good sport”. “You may have seen we had a bit of a collision at club training tonight at the Devonport Strikers Football Club in Tasmania,” Mr Morrison wrote. “I spoke to Luca and his mum Ali tonight to check in on him and he was in good form. “Great to be able to have a good chat to him about his love of football and to hear he’s had three hat-tricks in his budding career already.” "Our club values are determination, effort and respect," the Strikers said on Facebook. "We think Luca showed plenty of determination and effort to stop the PM scoring at all costs! "The latest star of the election is ok and looking forward to being the star of the show at school tomorrow!" After footage of the incident emerged on social media, it quickly went viral and prompted jokes from all corners. “In ScoMo’s defence, the kid is a United fan. Play on,” tweeted Tim Barrow. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> The chaser sums it up … <a href="https://t.co/dODQ5HfgXF">pic.twitter.com/dODQ5HfgXF</a> — Justin Brash 🏳️‍🌈🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿🇦🇺🍸📷🐱 (@just_brash) <a href="https://twitter.com/just_brash/status/1526846679366127622?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 18, 2022</a></blockquote> “I trip over small children, dogs, hoses and my own feet on the odd occasion. Happy to make my clumsiness a headline if required,” Catherine Wilcox added. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> Won’t tackle the cost of living. Will tackle an actual child. — Australian Unions (@unionsaustralia) <a href="https://twitter.com/unionsaustralia/status/1526836955602104320?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 18, 2022</a></blockquote> Even 14-year-old journalist Leonardo Puglisi - who made headlines for interviewing Mr Morrison - got in on the fun, joking that one of their “reporters” was injured in “retaliation” for their tough questions. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> BREAKING: <a href="https://twitter.com/6NewsAU?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@6NewsAU</a> is prepared to launch legal action against the PM after one of our reporters was injured tonight We understand it was retaliation from the PM for our tough questions during our interview with him <a href="https://t.co/hRb3JUPw3o">https://t.co/hRb3JUPw3o</a> — Leonardo Puglisi (@Leo_Puglisi6) <a href="https://twitter.com/Leo_Puglisi6/status/1526898992025460737?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 18, 2022</a></blockquote> Others used it to make political points about the Liberal Party’s policies heading into this weekend’s federal election while others suggested that Mr Morrison wouldn’t fare well in the election as a result. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> I mean if ever there was a visual representation for the LNP’s climate policy… <a href="https://t.co/syEzi4hOQo">pic.twitter.com/syEzi4hOQo</a> — Tosh Greenslade (@ToshGreenslade) <a href="https://twitter.com/ToshGreenslade/status/1526835259618529280?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 18, 2022</a></blockquote> “Surely this bloke can’t survive after Saturday. He’s a national and international embarrassment,” Cody Murray wrote on Facebook. “Just got so sad thinking about how that kid that ScoMo hit will never grow up and use their super to pay for 6% of a house deposit,” journalist Cameron Wilson tweeted. To see footage of the incident, head <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PDDLSAvOzIU&ab_channel=TheAge%26SydneyMorningHerald" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>. Image: Getty Images

News

"Painful": ScoMo and Albo slammed for shouty debate performance

Scott Morrison and Anthony Albanese have been slammed for their unruly behaviour toward the host of the second political debate. The Prime Minister and Opposition Leader butted heads in the fiery debate that was broadcast on Channel 9 on Sunday evening and hosted by Sarah Abo. The pair were not only speaking over each other, but completely disregarded Abo’s moderating as she asked them again and again to stop as there was another question. “I think we are getting more questions … Excuse me. I think we’re getting more questions between the two of you than from our panel,” Abo struggled to say. The leaders, however, completely ignored Abo and continued firing comments at one another – forcing her to butt in once again. “Mr Morrison and Mr Albanese, this is enough, we do need to move on.” However, it seemed that both party leaders wanted to get the last word in and continued to speak over Abo, who finally snapped. “You all agreed to the rules this evening. Chris Uhlmann has a question, and we will move on to his question,” she said. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> "That is NOT right." Moderator Sarah Abo had to step in after the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LeadersDebate?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LeadersDebate</a> heated up over energy policy. Stream LIVE on <a href="https://twitter.com/9Now?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@9Now</a>. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/60Mins?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#60Mins</a> <a href="https://t.co/gIRAYcOxzG">pic.twitter.com/gIRAYcOxzG</a> — 60 Minutes Australia (@60Mins) <a href="https://twitter.com/60Mins/status/1523262191167688704?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 8, 2022</a></blockquote> After the question was asked and both Morrison and Albanese were given time to respond, Abo once again had to interject and inform the Opposition Leader it was time to move on. “Something that – Mr Albanese, we have a question. Mr Albanese, we have given you more than enough time,” she said. “The pair of you have had more than enough time. You agreed … You agreed to these rules before coming on the program tonight.” Abo concluded the evening by summing up what many viewers must have been feeling: “The truth is, the voters are feeling disenchanted. Neither of them are thrilled with either of you as a choice for prime ministers." Viewers slammed the leaders for ignoring Abo, who made every effort to keep the debate running as smooth as possible. “Nine's Sarah Abo could have done with a whistle at this point as both leaders spar on national security,” someone wrote. “OMG...did Morrison just dismiss a female speaking waving his hand at her to shut her up? how embarrassing for poor Sarah Abo,” another commented. “Royal Commission into the moderation of the debate,” another added. Others, however, called out Abo for not moderating the debate efficiently, while also calling out her bias. “Sarah Abo as moderator was supposed to hold the debate together! Instead Sarah Abo allowed the debate to fall apart and descend into chaos!” a comment read. “Sarah Abo is a terrible moderator. Allowing these two men to yell and talk over each other for over an hour is not a debate,” another added. “Top notch moderating by Sarah Abo. Let Morrison talk all over Albanese then cut Albanese’s time in response,” someone else commented. Image: Channel 9

News

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 <a href="https://www.6newsau.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">6News</a>, hosted by <a href="https://twitter.com/Leo_Puglisi6/media" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Leonardo Puglisi</a> 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. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> PM Scott Morrison: "Where's <a href="https://twitter.com/AlboMP?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AlboMP</a>'s economic plan...do you know?"<a href="https://twitter.com/Leo_Puglisi6?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Leo_Puglisi6</a>: "We're trying to speak to (him) & we'd love if his media team gave us a call" 📞 FULL INTERVIEW: <a href="https://t.co/uX3U2sb194">https://t.co/uX3U2sb194</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/6NewsAU?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#6NewsAU</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AusPol?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AusPol</a> | <a href="https://t.co/eU0kSSqhk6">https://t.co/eU0kSSqhk6</a> <a href="https://t.co/Hb70BnVUxn">pic.twitter.com/Hb70BnVUxn</a> — 6 News Australia (@6NewsAU) <a href="https://twitter.com/6NewsAU/status/1511901584053129218?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 7, 2022</a></blockquote> “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: <iframe title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/YnPRQwKPEKM" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> Image: SIX News Australia (YouTube)

Ian Thorpe doesn't hold back in slamming ScoMo's religious discrimination bill

Australian swimming legend Ian Thorpe has hit out against Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s religious discrimination bill.Appearing at a media conference on Tuesday, the Olympian minced no words while sharing his opinion of the bill.“We want to see it disappear,” he <a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10487413/Ian-Thorpe-unleashes-Scott-Morrisons-religious-discrimination-bill.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a>.“It has no friends in Parliament, it hasn’t, the first time it came around, the second has come around, and now this is the third time of this bill and is something that we would prefer to see squashed and get rid of it.”“What this is, is it becomes a state-sanctioned discrimination. To give rights for 100 people while excluding another group of people, for me, is discrimination.“And with that, we should consider what this place that we are in, what it represents and how it represents each and everyone of us.”His comments come as the proposed amendments to the bill would prevent religious schools from having the right to expel gay students, but withholding the same protection from transgender students.The bill is Mr Morrison’s top priority as Parliament returns this week and ahead of the upcoming federal election.Appearing on Sunrise, Thorpe said the bill allows “state-sponsored discrimination”.“Any bill that protects one group of people yet discriminates against another group of people, it’s actually wrong.”Thorpe was joined on the show by transgender Year 12 student Olivia, who told reporters she experienced “direct discrimination” from a former school after coming out.“They told me I was very likely to be bullied by people… that my twin brother in the same year at the school would also be bullied. They told us that his leadership potential would be jeopardised,” she said.“They said that if I just leave this term, it would not have to pay the rest of the term’s fees. This left me without a school going into the new year and with nowhere to go.”The retired swimmer, who came out as gay in 2014, said he supported people expressing their faiths and that he had been raised in a Christian household, but that expressing a view “that may be villifying another group of people'' would come with repercussions.Members of the LGBTQI+ community fear the proposed laws could see them be denied work opportunities from those with religious views, as the laws protect a person from being discriminated against on the basis of their religion.Finance minister and Senate leader, Simon Birmingham, confirmed the amendments would only relate to sexual orientation, raising concerns that trans students would be excluded and left unprotected.“The proposal that is put forward is to repeal the exemption as it relates to students being exempted from the Sex Discrimination Act on the basis of their sexual orientation. Now it doesn’t go further than that,” he told ABC Radio on Tuesday.However, Mr Morrison denied that transgender students would not be able to be expelled from religious schools.“This bill does not seek to endorse that arrangement. That's an existing law. What we're dealing with today are not those matters,” he said.“We're dealing with discrimination against people for their religious belief and faith.”Despite opposition from within his own party and from the opposition, Mr Morrison said he was confident the bill would pass parliament.“I stand by it 100 per cent, and I'm standing with the millions of Australians for whom this is such an important issue,” he told reporters in Canberra.“For many Australians, their faith and religion is their culture, you can't separate them.”Images: Getty Images

News

"I won't cop sledging on Australia": ScoMo hits back

After French president Emmanuel Macron called Scott Morrison a liar, the Prime Minister has hit back. While in Glasgow for the COP26 Climate Change conference, ScoMo told reporters that he would not "cop slurs" about the integrity of Australia, and that he had no regrets about his seemingly quick decision to back out of a $90 billion submarine contract with France. Macron accused the Prime Minister of lying by not revealing he was in talks with the UK and the US over the acquisition of nuclear submarines before he pulled out of the French deal. While at the G20 summit in Rome, Macron made the comment to Australian reporters, after several weeks to escalating diplomatic tensions between Australia and France. “I have a lot of respect and a lot of friendship for (Australian) people,” he said. “I just say when we have respect, you have to be true and you have to behave in line and consistently with this value." When asked if he thought Mr Morrison had lied to him, he said: “I don’t think, I know”. In a fiery response, Scott Morrison said he didn't wish to "personalise the spat", but would not accept “statements questioning Australia’s integrity”. “There’s no element of that from my perspective. I must say that I think the statements that were made questioning Australia’s integrity and the slurs that have been placed on Australia, not me, I’ve got broad shoulders. I can deal with that." “But those slurs, I’m not going to cop sledging at Australia. I’m not going to cop that on behalf of Australians." “I can deal with whatever people throw at me. But Australia has a proud record when it comes to our defence capability. That’s why we will be building these. We’ll be building others. And Australia’s service record, I think needs no elaboration. And so that’s where we are.” He went on to say that the conventional diesel submarines that would have been built under the French deal would not have met Australia's needs. “I have to put Australia’s interests before any interests that involved potentially offending others,” he said. Despite being at the Climate Change conference when Scott Morrison gave the interview, he dedicated all of his air time to responding to Macron, and no mention of Australia's climate change policy. Image credits: Getty Images

Legal

ScoMo announces major Pfizer win

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has revealed a major Pfizer win, telling Australians 500,000 doses will arrive within the week. He said the extra doses have been secured in a new “swap deal” with Singapore, meaning Australians will receive Pfizer vaccines set to shortly expire. <img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7842792/pfizer-nurse.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/1b2fdb682d0741069acc1222f51dd33b" /> The vaccines will roll out across the nation and will be shared equally among all states and territories, based on population. The agreement also stated the Federal Government will send half a million Pfizer vaccines to Singapore in December, when Australia is expected to have ample leftovers. "That comes on top of the some 4.5 million that we already have planned for September and the 1 million Moderna doses and the many other millions of doses available from our AstraZeneca production to ensure we can continue on in September with the strong surge that we had over August," he said. <img style="width: 500px; height: 281.6666666666667px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7841162/pfizer-vaccine.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/c8d5a427721f4fb3aad36614c52e646d" /> "It's a dose swap deal which simply means we're taking the 500,000 they have now, so we can put that into our distribution this month coming in September and we will provide them with 500,000 in December. "That means there are 500,000 doses extra that will happen in September that otherwise would have had to wait for several months from now accelerating our vaccination program at this critical time as we walk towards those 70 per cent and 80 per cent targets."

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“I take responsibility”: ScoMo takes the heat on vaccine rollout failure

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has taken responsibility for the slow COVID-19 vaccine rollout. "I take responsibility for the problems that we have had, but I am also taking responsibility for the solutions we're putting in place and the vaccination rates that we are now achieving," he said while in quarantine from the Prime Minister's residence, The Lodge. The Australian leader says one million Aussies have received a dose of a COVID-19 vaccine in the past seven days. <img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7842593/scott-morrison.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/cf053ec9445a4f0b8128c8537f7c8b7c" /> In Mr Morrison’s words, the country is on track to be vaccinated by the end of 2021. He said the program was about two months behind the planned schedule at the start of the year. "We've had our challenges with this program, we've had significant challenges with this program, as many countries have," Mr Morrison said. "What matters is how you fix the things that need to be fixed … today, with the most recent seven day's data, we finally hit that mark of a million doses in arms in a week." So far, 10.5 million people have received a vaccination, and 14 per cent of Aussies over 16 years of age are fully vaccinated. The Prime Minister said he has been in contact with the government's vaccine advisory group to discuss whether the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine is preferred for people over 60. <img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7842590/scott-morrison-2.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/af27e7c574514b4dad8ac2b119a73433" /> "It's a constant appeal, it's a constant appeal, I can assure you," he said. "They said they made that decision on the balance of risk, well it's now on them to constantly reconsider that risk." The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) has stated that young people may be at a rare risk of developing blood clots from the AstraZeneca vaccine. It revised that age up to 60 last month. People under 50 are advised to wait for the Pfizer vaccine. Images: Getty

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"Light at the end of the tunnel": ScoMo announces federal finance package

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has announced a proposal for new financial supports to National Cabinet for states and territories in Australia impacted by the COVID-19 snap lockdowns. The "prospective changes" include a range of support measure, including payments for a COVID support system and a waiver of the liquid assets test. "Payments for a Covid support payment would still be paid in the second week of a pandemic, they would be paid basically on an arrears basis on that first seven days," Morrison explained in a press conference on Thursday afternoon. "Secondly, the liquid assets test will be waived from the outset." "Thirdly, the payment that will be made will be at that December quarter JobKeeper figure for last year, which is the payment that in NSW they're about to go into," he continued. "At the end of 14 days, we would be providing to all states and territories the same arrangements that we are entering into now with the NSW Government, for business." These payments, Mr Morrison said, would be administered by the Commonwealth. "To remind you about those arrangements, that is if you had your turnover reduced by more than 30 per cent, you would have for businesses between $75,000 annual turnover to $50 million annual turnover, you have 40 per cent of your payroll made in a payment with a minimum payment of $1500 and a maximum payment of $10,000. That would be done based on that first two weeks of any possible lockdown." He was also asked about the current state of the country and was wondering what the "light at the end of the tunnel" is. Morrison believes it's "both the continue resilience and strength of Australians to persevere, because we get through everything as Australians". "No matter what is thrown at us, we get through it. This is the test that our generation is facing. And our generation is up to it," he said. "And we'll persevere and come out the other side and we can have the great confidence of this in the Australian spirit that will be achieved. That we'll not be overcome by this. That we'll not be defeated by this, nor will we give up as a country into the frustration or the exasperation that can come with these challenges. "The second thing is this – the vaccination program continues to gather pace. The rollout continues to ensure that by the end of this year all of those seeking a vaccine can receive one. That means we can go into the next phase and the next phase after that. "The other hope I give you is this – because Australia has had the success of date, where we've saved over 30,000 lives, where we've got one million people back in work, that shows the strength of the Australian economy to rebound. It shows the strength of the Australian people to come back. "And so, all we need to keep doing is putting our heads down, go forward, keep our spirits up, get the job done, and Australia will not just get through this, we'll come out the other side stronger."

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"I'm very pleased": Scomo announces highly anticipated cabinet changes

<div class="post_body_wrapper"> <div class="post_body"> <div class="body_text redactor-styles redactor-in"> Prime Minister Scott Morrison has declared his new cabinet and ministry will have the "strongest" female representation an Australian government cabinet has ever had. Senator Michaelia Cash has been appointed Australia's new Attorney-General, replacing Christian Porter. Foreign Minister Marise Payne will also be leading the new taskforce of ministerial roles, including Women's Safety and Women's Economic Security. Morrison is very pleased with his latest cabinet, saying that Payne's role is the "Prime Minister for Women". "Getting these results for Australian women will be achieved through collaboration, it will be achieved through listening, they will be achieved by acting together," Mr Morrison said. "They won't be achieved by dividing Australians." Karen Andrews is the Minister for Home Affairs and Anne Ruston has taken on the new portfolio of Minister for Women's Safety. Linda Reynolds, who was slammed by the public for calling Brittany Higgins "a lying cow", has been demoted from her position as the Minister for Defence, with her role being taken over by Peter Dutton. She will remain in Cabinet, but will transition in a role in NDIS and government services. Morrison said that he spoke to Reynolds before the cabinet shuffle. "She has recovered extremely well," he said. "She is in good health and I know she will do an outstanding job in this area." Despite Christian Porter being replaced in his role as Attorney-General, he's moving into Industry, Science and Technology and will continue to serve in the cabinet despite his demotion. "I certainly expect him to continue to serve in my cabinet - both now and after the next election," he said. "He's been an outstanding minister and a person of great capability." Morrison said that the re-shuffle was about "getting the right perspective" in wake of the political scandals that have engulfed Parliament House. "It sets a new benchmark, a new ambition for our government," Mr Morrison said. "I am very pleased about that." </div> </div> </div>

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Scomo "not ruling out" removing Christian Porter

<div class="post_body_wrapper"> <div class="post_body"> <div class="body_text redactor-styles redactor-in"> Scott Morrison has admitted he has received advice from the solicitor-general about dumping Attorney-General Christian Porter from the ministry. The advice given was about what portfolio responsibilities Morrison might need to strip from Porter while Porter sues the ABC for defamation. Morrison has sought more advice from his department around the attorney-general and ministerial standards. Labor pressed Morrison on whether he is preparing to make Porter a “part-time minister” or drop him altogether. Morrison said he wasn't ruling out either option. “I am considering that advice with my department secretary in terms of the application against the ministerial guidelines,” he told parliament. “When I have concluded that assessment I will make a determination and I will make an announcement at that time.” Porter has launched a defamation case against the ABC over a story about rape allegations against a senior minister. He was not named in the story, but Porter's lawyers are arguing he was easily identifiable. ABC's managing director said that the story in question was of the "highest quality" journalism when he appeared before the Senate. He warned senators not to ask detailed questions about the case but used his opening statement to defend the ABC. “I am confident that the journalism was of the highest quality and that this will be borne out in the court proceedings,” Anderson said. “We will defend the case and our reporting, which we believe is in the public interest,” he added. “At all times I believe the ABC has acted in accordance with its statutory obligations of impartiality and its charter in its reporting.” Anderson said the story regarded an anonymous letter sent to senior federal politicians who then forwarded the correspondence to police. “No reputable media organisation could have ignored the existence of the letter or the fact politicians on both sides of the dispatch box had referred it to police,” he said. “We did not name or identify the cabinet minister mentioned in the material. “The attorney-general continues to be entitled to the presumption of innocence and the public broadcaster has reflected this in its reporting.” </div> </div> </div>

Legal

ScoMo finally weighs in on Harry and Meghan

<div class="post_body_wrapper"> <div class="post_body"> <div class="body_text redactor-styles redactor-in"> Prime Minister Scott Morrison has responded to the fallout from the controversial Oprah interview with Harry and Meghan. He told Nova 96.9 that he paused and watched the interview on Monday, saying that Harry and Meghan were "just lovely" when he met them on their Australian tour. "We met them both when they came out to Australia. They were lovely, they were very, very nice and they met the girls and very very kind," he said. "They had a great time when they were in Australia and it was great to host them." Morrison also sympathised with the royal couple, saying they're having "family troubles". "You've gotta feel for people in the situations, they're having some family troubles," Mr Morrison told Nova 96.9 radio on Thursday morning. "People have family troubles, it happens, we all have them from time to time." Prince Harry mentioned that the 2018 tour of Australia was the "turning point" in the decision to leave royal duties. “It really changed after the Australia tour,” he said. “It was also the first time that the family got to see how incredible [Meghan] is at the job. That brought back memories.” The Australian royal tour is currently at the centre of allegations that Meghan Markle bullied her staff, causing several to resign. There have also been claims for Australia to become a republic after the interview has dominated the news cycle for a week. Morrison reminded people that there are more important issues to focus on. “My personal position, I have always supported the constitutional monarchy,” he said to Sunrise. “But that’s not what’s going to change anything when it comes to coming out of the COVID recession or the COVID pandemic.” </div> </div> </div>

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ScoMo shares school snap as police warn about back to school pictures

Prime Minister Scott Morrison shared a school snap of him as a youngster to mark the first day back at school for children around the country. He shared the snap on his Facebook page, deciding to share the "super cute" photo with his followers. “Lots of kids will be heading back to school this week, and some will be starting for the first time. Wishing them all (and their mums and dads) a happy first day,” he wrote in the post. “2020 was a really tough year for our children with #COVID-19 causing lots of interruption and uncertainty,” he added, saying that while there are more challenges ahead, he hopes 2021 “will be a better year”. “Good luck also to all those students heading into Year 12 and their final year of school.” <iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fscottmorrison4cook%2Fposts%2F3936562373054803&width=500&show_text=true&height=666&appId" width="500" height="666" style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share"></iframe> The Prime Minister shared the school snap despite warnings from the Australian Federal Police, with the AFP <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/finance/legal/police-issue-warning-over-children-s-first-day-of-school-photos" target="_blank">warning</a> that school photos are an easy way for offenders to find out where children go to school. "There's no reason why parents and carers cannot continue to take those wonderful happy snaps and post them online," Commander Sirec said. "However, we are urging parents and carers who are sharing those images to make sure they're using secure privacy settings and only sharing images with people they know and trust." Commander Sirec also warned offenders use the information included in posts to start grooming kids. "It is more important than ever to ensure parents, carers and our young people are educated about online safety. The increase of children being online during the pandemic year has also meant offenders have more opportunities to target potential victims," Commander Sirec said.

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ScoMo under fire for Australia Day comments

Prime Minister Scott Morrison says the arrival of European settlers "wasn't a particular flash day" for convicts on board, as he defended Australia Day being celebrated on January 26. The timing of Australia Day, which marks the arrival of the European colonists in 1788, is controversial, with many Australians calling it "Invasion Day". But the Prime Minister has come out and said that it was also a difficult time for the European settlers, which included many convicts sent across the word against their will. “When those 12 ships turned up in Sydney all those years ago, it wasn’t a particularly flash day for the people on those vessels either,” he told reporters on Thursday. Around 750 to 780 people on board the first fleet were convicts, many deported for minor crimes. But Labor Indigenous Australians spokeswoman Linda Burney said it wasn't helpful to get into a debate. “Suffering is not a competition. What the Prime Minister has said makes no sense,” she told NCA NewsWire. “As the leader of the country, he has an example to set for the rest of the nation and he should know better. “How can we expect to see real progress on issues such as Reconciliation and Closing the Gap when he makes such ignorant and unhelpful comments like this?” Morrison criticised Cricket Australia on Thursday for leaving out a reference to Australia Day during Big Bash League matches on January 26, which he argued was a day of unity. He said the national apology to the Stolen Generation showed Australia had been “pretty upfront and honest” about its past and warned against “airbrushing” history. “What that day to this demonstrates is how far we’ve come as a country, and I think that’s why it’s important that we mark it in that way,” he said. “It’s not about that day so much, it’s about how far we’ve come together since that day.” But Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young told the PM to "read the room", saying Australians were "sick of this type of ignorance" and wanted genuine recognition from their leaders. “For the Prime Minister to belittle the genuine hurt, sorrow and suffering felt by First Nations people on this day is extremely disappointing,” she told NCA NewsWire. “We need better leadership than this from our government. The Prime Minister’s comments were either sloppy, careless or deliberate. Whichever it is, he should apologise.”

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“Get off the lawn!”: ScoMo’s press conference hilariously interrupted

Hell hath no fury than a man whose freshly seeded lawn is being trampled on by a pack of people. Members of the press learned that lesson this morning in the New South Wales town of Googong, about 25km east of Canberra, in the funniest way. While addressing journalists to outline the government’s new HomeBuilder grant, Prime Minister Scott Morrison was confronted with a frustrated resident who came out of his house. “Can you guys get off the lawn please?” the man yelled, interrupting Morrison mid-sentence. “Hey guys, I’ve just reseeded that,” he added, pointing to the grass that reporters, cameramen and photographers were crowded on. Morrison immediately asked the press to move forward onto the road. “Sorry, man,” the resident offered. “It’s all good, thanks,” Morrison replied, giving him the thumbs up – a conciliatory gesture that the man returned. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> Nothing wrong with having pride in your lawn... <a href="https://twitter.com/9NewsAUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@9NewsAUS</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/auspol?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#auspol</a> <a href="https://t.co/mQ5eqBmnvC">pic.twitter.com/mQ5eqBmnvC</a> — Jonathan Kearsley (@jekearsley) <a href="https://twitter.com/jekearsley/status/1268354482057834496?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 4, 2020</a></blockquote> Speaking later on 2GB radio, the PM said “people are very house proud” and explained that “this bloke had just built his house and all the media was standing on part of his lawn”. “And so, he wasn’t yelling at me but he came and said ‘get off my lawn.’ So I ushered them all off the lawned area and he was quite happy then, he said thanks and went back inside. “So, it was quite funny actually.” After the brief interruption, the media conference continued, with the PM explaining details of the already controversial $25,000 payment designed to support the struggling construction sector during the coronavirus crisis. The scheme allows couples with a combined income of $200,00 to secure a $25,000 grant to build a new home or for major renovations if the contract is worth over $150,000. “In the short-term, we know that in the residential building construction industry that on the other side of September, the pipeline of works that they’ve been working on will really start to dry up quickly,” Morrison said. “That means jobs, not just for tradies and apprentices but all the other homes that feed into that industry, and all the industries that depend on that, the retail jobs and the community more broadly. “That’s we thought it was important that mart of the many measures and supports we’re putting into our economy at the moment, supporting our home building industry. “And not just new homes but significant renovation of homes, knock downs and rebuilds.” For families dreaming of a new home, or of a significant renovation of their existing one, the stimulus will help make it a reality, Morrison said.

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“Did not deserve to win”: Turnbull writes scathing opinion about ScoMo

<div class="post_body_wrapper"> <div class="post_body"> <div class="body_text "> Former Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has made his feelings about current Prime Minister crystal clear in his new memoir A Bigger Picture. Turnbull doesn’t believe that the Morrison-led coalition deserved to win in the miracle 2019 election and criticised Morrison’s bid to portray himself as a “daggy dad” from the suburbs. "He's a professional politician who understands marketing and messaging better than most," Mr Turnbull writes in his memoir, A Bigger Picture, <a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/politics/inside-malcolm-turnbulls-bigpicture-world-of-gossip-and-axegrinding-in-new-memoir/news-story/3406c7890aab3e578dedc0cb8861f3b4" target="_blank">The Australian</a> reports. "His cringe-worthy 'daggy dad' persona is more exaggerated than it is conflated, but in net terms it probably helped. ""All that aside, however, the truth is that Labor lost the election that the coalition, after the August coup, did not deserve to win." <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/B6AmqPZnLvQ/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B6AmqPZnLvQ/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by Scott Morrison (@scottmorrisonmp)</a> on Dec 13, 2019 at 2:34am PST </div> </blockquote> Turnbull also took aim at his former cabinet colleagues in their roles in the coup that led to his resignation in August 2018. Turnbull accuses Morrison of double dealing in his bid to succeed Turnbull when he had to be “propped up” as treasurer. Turnbull also says that Peter Dutton, a coup leader, was a “narcissist” and “self-delusional” for thinking that he could be prime minister. The memoir will be launched next Monday. </div> </div> </div> <div class="post-action-bar-component-wrapper"> <div class="post-actions-component"> <div class="upper-row"> <div class="watched-bookmark-container"></div> </div> </div> </div>

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Chief Medical Officer warns Easter will be “very different”, but it’s not all bad news

<div class="post_body_wrapper"> <div class="post_body"> <div class="body_text "> Chief medical officer Brendan Murphy has urged Australians to avoid the temptation of travelling or spending Easter long weekend with family and friends this year. "Easter is going to be very different this year," he told reporters yesterday. "We're asking you to stay with your family, in your residence." However, he confirmed that there has been some good news after Australia made the decision to close its borders, quarantine travellers and impose strict social distancing measures. "We're in a good place at the moment, we're achieving good control because the community has done what we have asked," he said, according to the <a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-04-05/chief-medical-officer-brendan-murphy-confident-coronavirus/12123154" target="_blank">ABC</a>. "It's been hard, it's been really hard." With a total of 5,687 cases reported and an increase of 139 cases in 24 hours, Professor Murphy is pleased by the low rise. "That is probably the lowest rise we've had for a few days and it does tend to continue the trend we've seen of flattening of the curve," Professor Murphy said. Professor Murphy explained that his biggest concern continued to be community transmission and the fact that 10 percent of people with coronavirus had no known contact with a COVID-19 case. "We all know just how infectious this virus can be," he said. "Just look at what it did on some cruise ships." </div> </div> </div>

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"It's been fun": ScoMo joins in on nationwide roasting of himself