Leigh Sales asks Scott Morrison if he has a history of ‘blame shifting’

Leigh Sales has accused Scott Morrison of having a history of ‘blame shifting’ and ‘ducking responsibilities’ when it comes to Government scandals and blunders. 

During a wide ranging interview on ABC’s 7.30 Report, Sales questioned the prime minister about his response to the 2019/20 bushfires, Brittany Higgins’ alleged rape and the bungled Covid vaccine rollout.    

‘When it comes to taking responsibility, [Australians] have seen vaccine stumbles, not your fault, “it’s a supply issue”. Quarantine, “mostly a problem for states”. Bushfires, “I don’t hold a hose”. Brittany Higgins, “I was in the dark”,’ she said.

‘Covid deaths in aged care, “mostly the fault of state governments”. Christian Porter, “I don’t need to drill into the particulars”. Minister’s breaching standard, “I reject that anybody ever has”.

During an interview on ABC’s 7.30 Report, Sales questioned the prime minister about his response to the 2019/20 bushfires, Brittany Higgins’ alleged rape and the bungled Covid vaccine rollout 

Mr Morrison defiantly responded: ‘That’s your narrative, Leigh, but that’s not one that I share’ when grilled over the Government’s scandals 

‘Does it add up to a tendency to blame shift and duck responsibility wherever possible?’

Appearing to prove Sales’ point, Mr Morrison defiantly responded: ‘That’s your narrative, Leigh, but that’s not one that I share’.

Sales hit back, telling the PM she had simply ‘spelt out the facts’.

‘There will be an opportunity for Australians to express their view when the election finally comes,’ Mr Morrison said. 

‘Right now I’m fighting the virus and keeping Australians in jobs and I’m seeking to provide the best possible support for their health in response to the COVID crisis. I’ll get on with my job and I’ll let you get on with yours. 

‘At the height of the pandemic where we looked into the abyss, my government took action we saved lives and we saved livelihoods.’

He continued to spruik the Government’s commitment to mental health and ADF funding, action on floods in north Queensland, and disaster relief preparation.

Mr Morrison also said Tuesday night’s budget suggestion that the population would be fully vaccinated by the end of 2021 was merely a goal and not not a certainty.   

‘There is a general assumption of a vaccination program likely to be in place and by the end of this year,’ he said,

Sales questioned the prime minister about his response to Brittany Higgins’ alleged rape in a minister’s office in Parliament House in 2019 

‘But what that means is that there is an understanding that over the course of this year, the vaccination program will continue to roll out. And will reach as many Australians as we possibly can.’

When Sales questioned Mr Morrison on the slow rollout: ‘Does the buck stop with you on the success or otherwise of the vaccine rollout?’

‘Leigh, everything stops with me. I’m the Prime Minister at the end of the day,’’ he said. 

‘The Budget rests on many things. It is important we get it done. The vaccination program, as it set out in the budget papers, assumes it’s likely this will be in place by the end of the year.

‘That could happen with two doses, one dose. It could be months either side of that and that will not have a material impact on what’s in this Budget and it would be a mistake to think it did.’