Election not about popularity contest: PM

Andrew Brown and Maeve Bannister | April 12, 2022

Scott Morrison has made a day-two blitz through marginal seats across Sydney as he sought to outline the government’s economic credentials.

Pledging to create 1.3 million jobs over the next five years if elected, Mr Morrison spent the day campaigning in must-win seats for the coalition.

He started Tuesday campaigning in the electorate of Parramatta, held by Labor by 3.5 per cent, before moving to Macquarie, the most marginal seat in the country, which is held by the opposition by 0.19 per cent.

The prime minister ended with a visit to Lindsay, the first electorate visit of the campaign to a Liberal seat, but held by just five per cent.

A visit to Assistance Dogs Australia, a national charity which partners people with disability, autism or PTSD with specially trained dogs, rounded out the afternoon as Mr Morrison met volunteers, trainers and clients with their certified assistance dogs. 

Alongside Lindsay MP Melissa McIntosh, Mr Morrison announced a $2 million investment by the federal government for a new training school in Orchard Hills, which will raise 120 certified assistance dogs a year. 

Mr Morrison remarked while he can’t keep his own dog – a black schnoodle name Buddy – off the bed, the assistance dogs were much better behaved. 

Assistance Dogs head Richard Lord explained the labradors and golden retrievers were often used as therapy dogs because they were easy to train with food rewards.

“They’re the sort of dogs who will walk five kilometres with you, or sit down and watch television with you and they love pleasing and having a job,” he said.

After owning the site for seven years, the first sod for the new centre expects to be turned mid-June. 

While Mr Morrison remains behind in the polls, he said the six-week campaign was not a test of likeability.

“It’s not a popularity contest. You go to the dentist, it doesn’t matter if you like him or her or not. You want to know they’re good at their job,” he said.

“This is about whether people are good at managing the economy and have a strong economic plan.”

Mr Morrison denied having both Treasurer Josh Frydenberg and Foreign Minister Marise Payne at Tuesday’s news conference was due to his low personal standing among voters.

“I’ve got a great team, I’m happy to showcase my team every single day,” he said.

Coalition frontbencher Stuart Robert said the government’s 1.3 million jobs pledge wasn’t just an aspirational figure.

“The national skills commission, in their latest report, says where we expect jobs to come from, a quarter of a million will need to be in the care industry,” he told Sky News.

“We’ll continue to see those jobs lift as our GDP lifts.”

The government has come under fire for a reported $500,000 payment to a former staffer of embattled Liberal MP Alan Tudge.

Mr Tudge stood down from cabinet last year amid allegations of an abusive relationship with Rachelle Miller. He has strenuously denied the allegations, with both parties maintaining their affair was consensual.

Mr Morrison insists he had no knowledge of whether the amount was paid out.

“I know it’s taxpayers’ money, and those matters are handled by the Department of Finance and at arm’s length from politicians,” he told Adelaide radio 5AA.

“I have no visibility on that at all. I can’t confirm to you if a payment has even been made.”

Mr Morrison cited a report that examined the allegations which found there was insufficient evidence Mr Tudge breached the ministerial code.

While Mr Tudge stepped aside from his ministry position, Mr Morrison said he would be welcome back in the cabinet.