PM sparks furore after visiting Hillcrest Primary School to pay respects
Image: Twitter / Monte Boville
Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s tribute to the young victims of Tasmania’s jumping castle tragedy has taken a perhaps predictable turn, with critics Australia wide questioning his motives.
Mr Morrison and wife Jenny visited Hillcrest Primary School in Devonport on Saturday afternoon, two days after a freak weather event sent a jumping castle airborne during an end-of-school celebration. Six lives were lost and two children were left critically injured.
The couple laid flowers and a touching note, knelt for a minute’s silence and spent time reading other tributes to Addison Stewart, 11, Zane Mellor, 12, Jye Sheehan, 12, Jalailah Jayne-Maree Jones, 12 and Peter Dodt, 12.
On Sunday afternoon, it was revealed that a sixth victim, Chace Harrison, 11, had also died.
After the Morrisons’ visit, it didn’t take long for criticisms to come flying through on social media channels, though many defended the “entirely appropriate” act.
Taking to Twitter on Saturday afternoon, former Wallaby and veteran journalist Peter FitzSimons questioned the appropriateness of the PM’s visit.
“To me this seems to be more a matter for the Governor-General to arrive expressing the nation’s grief and shock, rather than the PM?” he posted.
Former Labor Senator Doug Cameron also weighed in, claiming Mr Morrison had turned a press conference announcing funding support for those impacted by the tragedy “into a partisan political advert for Liberal politicians”.
Everyday Aussies were also quick to slam the PM after Tasmanian ABC reporter Monte Bovill shared a snap of the Morrisons at the site, with one Twitter user claiming the leader was “not one to miss a photo opportunity” and accusing him of “turning tragedy into a public relations exercise”.
However, the furore sparked a wider conversation about whether the criticism was unfair, with veteran entertainment reporter Peter Ford arguing Mr Morrison was in a hopeless position, and that “the same people would be on the attack if he didn’t” visit the site to pay his respects.
Hitting back at FitzSimons’ comments, claiming they were a “bit odd” given he had “previously sung the praises of Jacinda Ardern for her compassion and care during times of tragedy in NZ”, including the aftermath of the Christchurch massacre.
Other prominent Australians also leapt to Mr Morrison’s defence, with former TV personality and Perth Lord Mayor Basil Zempilas dismissing the criticism as “ridiculous” and arguing the site visit was the “right thing for the Prime Minister to do”.
Former Howard government minister and Sky News host Gary Hardgrave also spoke out, posting that it was “most appropriate for Scott Morrison and Mrs Morrison to be there”. A string of reporters on the scene also defended the Morrisons, including Bovill.
“For everyone replying to this. You weren’t there. There was no media opportunity, no political or campaign announcements in the northwest. The media were already at the school,” he posted.
“You are using this to fit your own narrative...kids died and you make this about politics?”
7 News’ Nick McCallum agreed, saying that: “Prime Minister and Mrs Morrison’s visit to Hillcrest Primary was entirely appropriate. It was respectful … low key … showed emotions we all feel. No-one we spoke to in Devonport, including victims’ families, indicated they had any problem with it”