It’s a near unbreakable rule of life after political leadership, even if no one knows exactly why: much like the aftermath of a break-up, it’s apparently very important that we get a public display of just how well the departed leader is doing now, thanks very much.
As it was with Barack Obama and his Trump-era kite surfing, so it is with Scott Morrison’s Alan Partridge-like interview in this weekend’s Sunday Telegraph, the tone of which is set by its headline and opening salvo:
Scott Morrison has a simple message for his critics: ‘If people are thinking I’m sitting here rocking myself to sleep at night in the foetal position, no, I’m not.’
Yep, whatever you’ve heard, Morrison is not in the foetal position. Whatever the haters say, he’s not the least bit catatonic with grief at all he once had, and what he failed to achieve with it. Any notion that the weight of humiliation might have left him hollow, having fought his way into the highest political office in the country, only to lead a government associated with corruption, scandal and dishonesty and then deliver it to a generational defeat? Baseless.
It must have been a nostalgic experience for Morrison, to once again have the media meet him so much further than halfway. The piece, by national weekend politics editor James Campbell, is so gentle, so completely indifferent to insight or revelation, as to be almost meaningless. Or perhaps that’s unfair — there maybe readers truly shocked by what’s he’s been watching, reading (“… I’d never read Jordan Peterson’s book — I found that really interesting”) and the universally positive feedback he gets around Cook.
We learn that “every day” people in his community will thank him “not just for COVID, but particularly around international issues, AUKUS, China, all of these things”, or tell him how good his latest curry-themed Instagram post looked. (Campbell doesn’t appear to have responded “What, even the visibly raw one?”)
So when the piece observes that Morrison has “no intention” of reentering political debate, it’s not surprising that the obvious question — whether his newfound indifference to politics means he’ll leave Parliament, or whether his constituents care that he doesn’t always show up to work any more — doesn’t follow.
The position that Scott Morrison is in now is the same one that he has been in for years. It is more of a ‘fecal’ position rather than a ‘fetal’ position. All that is needed is to change one letter to make the description more accurate.
We should have pressed the full flush button instead of the half flush.
Best comment that I have read for a long time Entropy!! And also the best laugh that I have had in a good while!
Well said!
I suspect we’ll need caustic soda, a plunger and a sewer snake to get rid of him.
There’s also the word feral to consider. As in giving yourself half a dozen ministries.
Can’t argue with that one, MJM. Spot on!
I honestly don’t care if I never see or hear from the charlatan again. May he **** well and truely off.
I totally agree with you Gabrielle Hunt.
As I used to remind myself after bad breakups “Living well is the best revenge”. I don’t see Morrison getting any revenge.
Julia Gillard however takes the cake on that, she seems to be having a great time 🙂
Why would Scott Morrison not sleep soundly every night? He enjoys the sleep of the innocent. The deluded Morrison is convinced he never set a foot wrong (well, apart from roughly tackling that small boy in Devonport, Tasmania) & has nothing to answer for. The believes we are the senseless unwashed who failed to appreciate his greatness ie: they know not what they do…
Morrison is a narcissist. No need for the foetal position. He’s always right.
He did squirm during his RC testimony. Enjoyed hearing the Commissioner slapping him down , like a naughty school boy
My favourite was when he was attempting to talk himself out of a corner by offering “I’ll give you some examples…”
At which Commissioner Holmes cut him off with “Please don’t, Mr Morrison.”
She is good that Commissioner Homes!
That interviewer James Campbell. Would he be the husband of Roshena Campbell, Liberal candidate for the by-election in the seat of Aston, so recently vacated by Alan Tudge?
Looking forward to Campbell’s next “Limited News Hack” reserved-seat cameo on Insiders – so that those “insiders” can delve into that sort of “conflict of interest” …. and maybe into the way Limited News, in general, carries on before and during any elections, touting the Limited News Party : and rubbishing ‘the opposition’.
[Liked Bowen’s rejoinder to Spivsy yesterday :- Dave trying to embarrass Bowen with Bowen’s past musings : Bowen reminding Dave where he was “14(?)” years ago…. on Rupert’s Sky tread-mill…]
That footage shown by Spivsy – of Dutton and Roshena Campbell ‘campaigning’ – was James Campbell in that? Was his ‘involvement’ with her commented on?
…. Nothing to hide?
… That was “18” years ago – 2005.
Yes Roshena Campbell is James Campbell’s wife. Well connected and ticks the superficial boxes. A woman and of ethnic background (Indian). Maybe, maybe not, there were people of greater ability but important to display the new ‘inclusive Liberal Party’
No doubt she will get good support from Melbourne’s Murdoch press.
Does Parliament need yet another lawyer?
Many of the ones of recent times have been pretty good at muddying the waters, much less so at doing things for Australia and Australians.
Most of those possessing a degree in law just makes them more responsible for abdicating their responsibilities to check the legality of scheme to steal from the most poor and vulnerable.
Same bloke.
Campbell has always been an awkward Liberal supporter even when it is obvious he cannot speak without long pauses between words.
That’s the thing with liars and obfuscators – they need time to check what they’ve said in the past. Truth-tellers never have that problem.