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March 28, 2024

Comment: Exploring Scott Morrison’s legacy

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What legacy will Scott Morrison leave?

Almost every Australian Prime Minister leaves something behind them that defines their time leading the country; some pivotal piece of nation-building, either physically or legislatively, which embodies both the leader and the era.

Whether Medicare or WorkChoices, there are achievements we can point to as being characteristic of the government of the day. Entire volumes have been written about the complex and storied legacies of Robert Menzies, Gough Whitlam, Malcolm Fraser, Bob Hawke, Paul Keating and John Howard and the way they shaped our nation, for good and for ill.

 What, however, are the legacies of the Morrison years?

Scott Morrison during Question Time in the House of Representatives at Parliament House in Canberra, Feb. 2017.

If nothing pops into your mind it’s not because you’re forgetful: it’s because there’s a eerily whistling wind blowing through the mighty chasm that stands in the place where other PMs would have piled their achievements.

This is important, because if Scott Morrison loses the upcoming federal election, he will have been the longest-serving Australian Prime Minister since Howard – beating Kevin Rudd, Julia Gillard, Tony Abbott and Malcolm Turnbull for total days in office.

Rudd successfully negotiated Australia through the Global Financial Crisis and established the framework of our renewable energy system. Gillard launched the National Disability Insurance Scheme, universal paid parental leave, and the carbon not-actually-a-tax, and the mining absolutely-a-tax, despite having a minority government for much of her time in office.

 Abbott’s achievements were more, in that he repealed as much of that as he could, and gutted Labor’s National Broadband Network, but he also hashed out a deal for new submarines and ramped up Australia’s punitive offshore detention system. Turnbull was fighting for his political survival and still changed the Senate voting system for the better, and of course oversaw the legalisation of same-sex marriage.

For Morrison, however, there have been a lot of announcements, and a lot of inquiries into things that didn’t need inquiries (honestly, what sort of PM announces an investigation by his own office into finding out what he himself knew, as happened with the sexual assault on Brittany Higgins?); but in terms of actual achievements? … nothing springs to mind.

Things have happened on Morrison’s watch, of course. There were bushfires around the country, affecting communities that have yet to receive the support his government promised, and the PM was notably annoyed at having to cut his Hawaiian holiday short when he didn’t even hold a hose, mate.

There was a global pandemic during which federal responsibilities were handballed to the private sector, federal money was overwhelmingly sluiced to companies that didn’t need it and away from entire sectors (the arts, the tertiary education sector) that were in desperate need, and the government announced abrupt public health policy changes for what looked an awful lot like reasons of political expediency, rather than, say, because Australia had to have the rapid antigen tests we required.

And that’s not all. The attempt to claw back non-existent debts from welfare recipients was eventually deemed illegal, while the Morrison-apppointed Attorney-General, Christian Porter, was accused of a historic rape, sued the national broadcaster for their reporting on the case, lost, and then had his fees paid by anonymous donors … and Morrison insisted that all of this was entirely within the rules.

That was the same response when colour-coded spreadsheets of marginal electorates appeared that corresponded to the awarding of federal grants – for everything from sporting facilities to railway car parks.

Morrison’s two signature promises before the election: to pass a Religious Discrimination Bill and establish a federal anti-corruption body, are notable because his own party prevented the former, and the latter has never eventuated at all.

It’s impossible to point at anything that will have a lasting effect on Australian culture, beyond more subsidies for industries that are contributing to rapid climate change, a sharp uptick in distrust of government, and an increased risk of domestic terrorism from anti-vax movements given support by a timid government driven by political advantage above all else.

Indeed, as this column was being written, Morrison explicitly came out in support of the anti-vaccine mandate protesters, insisting that he understood and that vaccine mandates were from state governments and had nothing to do with him. Which raises the question: if vaccines are a state issue, why the hell was he thumping his chest in the media about making an example of an unvaccinated tennis player?

Brittany Higgins and Grace Tame were excoriating during their appearance at the National Press Club last week, making the point that they were less concerned with the PM’s often clumsy language than they were of the staggering lack of action under his leadership in ensuring the safety of women in parliament. Higgins emphasised the point that she wasn’t looking for sympathy from the PM as a father of daughters, but that she ‘wanted him to use his power as prime minister’.

If Morrison loses the election he will leave a yawning void as his legacy, having built nothing, improved nothing, and left the nation weaker, angrier and more distrustful.

But if he wins the election it will endorse everything he’s done, and more importantly what he hasn’t. Do Australians truly want another term of a government that refuses to govern?


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41 COMMENTS

  1. Mr Street you are not reporting on this article as impartial are you ? You may as well given the responsibility to the ABC your bias as is the ABC is overwhelming..let’s start with your observations with the coalition ramping up offshore detention systems.. when labor came to power there were 2 people in detention centers when they left 50.000 refugees where in detention and has cost Taxpayer’s about 20 billion thus far Mr Street Not to mention 1200 men and women and children had lost there lives at sea trying to get to Australia yeah labor / greens mate short memory buddy .. !! Bias ..

    As for Ms Higgins this has not even made court yet where the Man accused can have his say in the alleged incident .. where the truth will come out under oath .. !!

    • Barrow: The article is an OPINION piece – in case you failed to notice. As an opinion piece it is not reportage as such, and has no obligation to be factual and may legitimately be biased.

    • “As for Ms Higgins this has not even made court yet where the Man accused can have his say in the alleged incident .. where the truth will come out under oath !!.”
      The PrimeMinisters ilconsidered remarks in parliament about Miss Higgins alleged assault have been heavily criticised by the defenant’s Legal team as being prejudicial to their client, and may be used to postpone or derail the impending court case. This stands in stark contrast to the PM’s impassioned defence of Christian Porter, who the PM thundered was innocent ,under the rule of law until proven guilty. Surely Mr. Morrison spoke in parliament without due consideration to effect his words would have.

      • And our Prime Incompetent thundered in Parliament that, ” she can go “, over the Christine Holgate / Australia Post watch bonuses. The Christine did nothing wrong, yet the Prime Incompetent used his kangaroo court to send the Christine on her way. Meanwhile Aussie Post executives have ben reaping millions in bonuses since Christine Holgate left over 4 watches wort a combined…$20,000. Bit of course nothing but silence from the Prime Incompetent, he should be thundering in Parliament demanded the sackings of the A/Post execs creaming $millions in bonuses.

    • If you look carefully at the headline, you will see the first word is: Comment. That means it is Mr Street’s opinion, not a news report. Your comment shows equal and opposite bias in favour of a government that has literally done nothing for the past three years. In that regard, the article is 100% correct, whether it be opinion or reporting.

    • Simon Chance talks about Higgns trial – We all know that the reality about rape accusations are pretty easy to dismiss…..We can suggest that Brittany had been flirting with this man – and maybe even teased him about being a loser….But the likelihood is he did rape her! and the likelihood is that Scott Morrison knew about it
      Barnaby Joyce, Gladys and Turnbul have all offered an opinion that Scott is arrogant and untrustworthy – he has been caught out lying at least 5 times in the last 2 years

      Only a fool would think that Higgins has made all this stuff up – because she wants to take down the government – and she was not really raped at all! and just because this man might not admit to the crime and plead guilty – does not mean he has not forced himself on top of her- thousands of women are raped every year – not all of them are drunk! if she had gone to the press straight away and left the Liberal position straight away it would definitely have given her credibility! Especially with police evidence from an examination.
      I wonder what sort of person Simon is – he is really in denial about rapists – and the frequency that this crime occurs in Australia? what a sad person you must be – childish and wanting to escape reality! And you will vote for the great liar – who has not achieved much – and got Australia in a lot of debt and ruined trade deals with China – you are against the country having a strong export market as well I suppose mate?

  2. Is Scott Morrison leaving Thursday or Friday?
    Josh Frydenberg is deputy of the Liberal Party , he could take over as leader and face Albanese at the election and win the election

    • He is more likely to be replaced ( another piece of crap Liberal will fill into until the LNP are kicked right the f£$k out in April or May(
      And considering that Russian military presence has been building on the Ukraine border for nearly a year

      It is likely that we will get rid of Scomo as the PM before the Russians declare war…hopefully they will not invade anyone though!

      Some theory that the Red Army are enjoying watching the Winter Olympics and will start killing people once it is over is bizarre!
      We ll see if there is any logic or coincidence in that theory hey folks.
      Peace and Love – and vote Greens or Labor ( or Indo)
      Vote for anyone but the LNP, UAP or Hanson idiot club please
      Even the Legalise Cannabis or Sex party would do a better job with running the nation I reckon
      They would both provide some entertaining policies to discuss – if nothing else
      (and both would be more honest I reckon)

  3. What an EXCELLENT article! Unfortunately the Morrison Govt should face corruption charges., but won’t. The unemployed, over taxed, homeless, medical staff, elderly, low paid workers & the list increases daily of many people who have suffered under their policies.

    • …and yet a great mass of the punters still love their President ScamMO and keep voting for the ‘punishment’ dished out to them.

  4. What a criminally sad figure, to have occupied the office of PM, yet squandered all that potential time in pursuit of little more than crafting his very own image.
    This nation has lost way too many years through near zero progress in anything other than division and deep ongoing ignorance.

    If THIS is not TIME for change, then time itself may very likely vacate our political toolbox.

  5. …. & even his own Party members (or Coal-ition members) deride him in Text messages! (Then later say they have changed their mind)

    Personally, I feel a change is needed.

    • The texters blast away with their first hand experience of ScamMO, then go into a denial. They’ve taken up ScamMO’s great skill, the one that Joyce texted away about – “taking the truth and turning it into a lie”.

  6. My thoughts exactly Barrow. The legacies of Labor have been atrocious! And look at the labor premiers! Dictators one and all – Dan Andrews can’t wait to sell Australia to China.

    I do think that Morrison should have shown some backbone and over ruled the premiers – how many people were unable to be with their loved ones as they died? This was absolutely criminal behaviour and when this is over I hope there is a massive class action against the criminals who perpetuated this emotional carnage. The labor premiers coerced, threatened and shamed people into complying with their useless mandates and should be held accountable for the chaos they caused .

    And now you’re touting the simpering Albanese as the next prime minister? Say hello to communism.

    And yes Emily – I also hope Frydenberg takes over as Liberal leader.

    • Essam old son, in case you hadn’t noticed we live in a Federation of States and Territories, NOT, a Canberra Dictatorship. Thankfully the states and territories, except for NSW and Morrison , prioritised Public Health over all else and did as much as they could with what resources they had to keep people safe. A lot of your “emotional carnage”, he heartache and deaths would have been avoided if NSW and Morrison had acted appropriately at the time of Ruby Princess, if NSW had acted appropriately at time of Delta outbreak, if NSW had acted appropriately at time of Omicron outbreak. You 100% right about your class action against the criminals – the crims aka , Berejiklian, Perrottet, Morrison should all be in Court facing their Judgement Day!

    • Don’t ruin your arguments by talking about communism in Australia, there has been enough damage done in the past two years with conspiracy theorists and the last thing we need is a revival of Reds under the Bed

    • Fyrdenberg has been an absolute disaster at times- all the negative talk against China has cost Australia billions of dollars in revenue that could have been used to build hospitals , roads and schools – this is a massive mistake and unnecessary mate!
      The Job Keeper program was a good idea – but poorly executed!

      If you really think Labor could do a worse job in government
      Your living in some deluded ( and probably greedy) fantasy
      When will you wake up?
      You conservative voters
      (Many of whom have moved from cities to bring down the quality of life and affordability in the great and friendly Northern Rivers area)
      Shame on you for being heartless and ignorant about the plight of the poor
      If not for the unions and Labor there would be no Medicare – like the USA this country would be sad and pathetic – especially if a working class or middle class person was not covered by a workplaces health insurance
      You should go live in the USA for a while
      and come to terms with how great the Labor party’s achievements have been
      The NDIS is the only success of the LNP – and it is in need of a serious overhaul
      So not such a great experience for many who are denied funding (and have genuine issues /disabilities)

  7. Very observant “Barrow”.
    Andrew P Street is a ‘commentator’ not a reporter.
    He gets paid for his opinions (unlike you or I).
    He has made some excellent points.

  8. Scott who and what legacy are we exploring? systemic corruption within his Govt; systemic lying by Morrison; systemic policy failure in nearly every area of his Govt; systemic failure within the Commonwealth controlled Aged Care sector, where chronic underfunding led to the deaths of hundreds of residents due to covid; lack of preparedness during the unprecedented bushfire emergency where Morrison totally ignored the warnings of present and past Fire Chiefs about the onset of dangerous climate change. Australia needs this mendacious monster for another three years about as much as we need a war with China. If we are successful in removing this extremely chaotic and dangerous Govt, just imagine the job the Labor Party is going to have cleaning up the mess these serial conservative failures have left.

  9. Well put Sheriff! Dud-tunny’s raising an eyebrow. Don’t -& I mean it- give us
    another 3 years of blustering stupidity & sell-outs.

  10. Comment meaning !! a verbal or written remark expressing opinion or reaction !!
    So Mr Street expresses his Written remarks
    and one assumes those are not his factual
    Views or opinions.. !! Please .. this after all
    is a conservative free zone article is it not ?
    and to suggest otherwise would be incorrect.. !!

      • …he is giving ALP, Greens, Independents the bestever free kick one could dream of , ScamMO giving Lib/Nat governing a horrendous reputation that will stick for decades and be permanent reminder to all….Vote NO, Lib/Nat.

      • Nicole Riles .. comes on Nicole
        The handouts to all in need was infact
        a savior to many almost 100 billion
        To help all Australian’s.. we have come through the pandemic very well name one country thst has done better
        Nicole ? Unemployment rate 4.2 percent .. look iam not a conservative
        At heart .. however if labor were still a party for workers i would vote for them
        But this is not the case ..and the Greens
        Are a fading commodity bleeding
        Popularity by the minute..

        • Barrow, the “to help all Australians'” if only that was true. Many were left out of the ‘JobKeeper’ thing eg casual workers who were in their job for less than 12months and the workers The Arts and Entertainment Industry. They were all deliberately left behind. Then there is the issue of temporary visa holders, migrant workers, international students who worked here, paying taxes and were abruptly told to pack up and go home, NO support from ScamMO and Fraudneberg’s JobKeeper. The very cohort of people that ScamMO and Fraudenberg are begging to come back to Australia with the bribe of having their Visa fees waived. Talk about shortsightedness….no make that incompetence…once again!

    • The liberals side step the public service by using contractors and firms who cost several times more to do the same job and give the libs the outcomes they want. Staffers are another line of interference, unwanted reports never make it to the desk of the minister(apparently) and staffers can be blamed with no consequence to the minister

  11. After 4 wasted years of nothing but staged photo ops and contrived stunts and slogans. Morrison will leave office at the next election without a single policy or legislation enacted, NOTHING? His legacy will be one of unaccountable maladministration, rortings and corruption allegations everywhere, never one investigated. The continua refusal to heed expert advice, resulting in complete policy failure and the catastrophes inflicted, resulting in fatalities, unsurpassed in 120 years since federation. The highest taxing and Govt debt, more than double every Govt combined since federation and thats before the bush fire neglect Covid spending waste. He will be remembered as the failed PM, that galvanised a massive groundswell of opposition to remove his failed corrupted Govt, when the electorate served up the largest swing against a sitting Govt since its federation. And if you cannot already feel it coming like a freight train, you’re not alive? THAT WILL BE THE MORRISON LEGACY!

  12. Hey Tweed our new likely incoming
    Prime Minister Mr Albo has been behind every failed public policy labor has come up with the past 30 years .. including open borders on the high seas.. 20 billion thus far and counting .. and has openly stated couple of years back he will support much of the same if elected .. we and that being Taxpayer’s are only just at the tail end of 50.000 refugees that the labor / greens
    Allowing people smugglers to send 1200
    Men and women and children to the high seas only to lose their lives .. the Greens infact have admitted they don’t want any borders at all period !! Mr Brandt also
    Warned” labor “if you want our preferences
    We want a moratorium on the resource industries for 6 months .. so what he really
    Meant was a moratorium on all forms of welfare for 6 months .. such empathy & compassion.. incidentally was it not the Resource industries that has kept the country afloat this past 2 years thats a” fact”
    And the Government pouring what about
    200 billion into the economy.. Yes albo will be asked what his position will be on open
    Borders on the high seas during the election
    Not by the ABC of course.. Vote wisely..

    • Vote wisely? all indications are, unless something completely unimaginable happens in the next three months, Australian voters are going to do exactly that, God’s will.

      • Beware the opinion polls that publish stuff like ALP 55% – Coalition 45%. This isn’t the vote that decides who forms government.
        It is the voting in individual seats that decides affairs and ALP has to win Coalition marginal seats to win governing – that 55% v 45% polling has to be translated across Coalition held marginal seats .

  13. There you go, Joachim. We need to forget opinion polls. Stuff
    hanging from the rigging. Playing ‘the man or woman.’ Brain
    & gut feelings will get us over the line.

  14. The People have spoken with their votes.
    Scomo has played his last song on the ukulele as Prime Minister.
    He promised much, but delivered little.
    As the community sits in the Shire of Lakes Enterance still waiting for promised funds from the 2019 bush fires that were never delivered, I bid Scomo & his empty promises farewell & Welcome to the Albonese Government.

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