A second text from former NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian has emerged, in which she said Prime Minister Scott Morrison was more concerned with “petty political pointscoring” than human lives during the 2019-2020 bushfires.
The texts were sent to an unknown colleague within the Liberal Party, and the text exchange was sent to Channel 10 journalist Peter van Onselen, which he shared parts of at the National Press Club last year.
The full exchange includes Ms Berejiklian saying: “Morrison is a horrible, horrible person. He is actively spreading lies and briefing against me re the fires.”
The recipient – a cabinet minister according to Mr van Onselen – then replies: “Morrison is about Morrison. Complete psycho. He is desperate and jealous. The mob have worked him out and he is a fraud.”
A second screenshot, obtained and shared by news.com.au, shows the conversation continuing, with Ms Berejiklian replying: “Thx. I’m just so disappointed. Lives are at stake today and he is just obsessed with petty political pointscoring. So disappointed and gutted.”
Image: news.com.au
Mr Morrison was confronted by ABC’s Leigh Sales about the texts during his appearance on 7.30 on Tuesday, where he said: “Which she (Ms Berejiklian) denies, by the way.”
Mr van Onselen quickly rebutted his claim and said it was “an out and out lie”.
“The Prime Minister just told ABC 7.30 Gladys Berejiklian ‘denies’ the ‘horrible, horrible person’ text. That is an out and out lie,” he said.
Ms Berejiklian has never outright denied that the exchange occurred, commenting at the time of the first text emerging that she didn’t recall sending the message.
“I understand there has been some commentary today concerning myself and the PM. I have no recollection of such messages,” she said at the time.
“Let me reiterate my very strong support for Prime Minister Morrison and all he is doing for our nation during these very challenging times.
“I also strongly believe he is the best person to lead our nation for years to come.”
Mr van Onselen previously stated he received the exchange from the minister to “inform his commentary”, on the proviso he didn’t report the full contents.
However, he later obtained full consent from the minister in 2022.
Tuesday night’s interview between Mr Morrison and Ms Sales saw them swap barbs, with the 7.30 host asking if the biggest threat his government was facing was his own unpopularity.
“Let me put it to you … that there can only be one factor that’s playing into the negative sentiment towards your coalition and that without sounding rude has to be you?” Ms Sales asked,
She then read out the various descriptions of him as a liar, bully, and “horrible, horrible person”.
“People are always disappointed and they’ll have an axe to grind,” Mr Morrison responded. “That’s normal in politics, particularly when you are going into an election.”
“I’ve never had time for the factional games in the Liberal Party. You get plenty of enemies.”
Image: Getty Images
