CANBERRA, Feb 8 (NNN-XINHUA) – Australia’s Defence Minister, Peter Dutton, rejected reports suggesting he is preparing to depose Prime Minister Scott Morrison ahead of the 2022 election.
Dutton today insisted, he is behind Morrison, in the lead-up to the election, which is expected to be held in the first half of this year.
It came after Bob Carr, a former premier of New South Wales (NSW) and foreign minister, claimed, Dutton was the government minister involved in a leaked text exchange, that savaged Morrison’s character with then-NSW Premier, Gladys Berejiklian, according to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
Dutton said today that the accusation was untrue and baseless.
“I have been loyal to Scott Morrison from day one, and I continue to be so, because I have seen what he has done, in taking us through what has been a difficult situation,” he told Seven Network television.
Dutton was among a group of members of parliament who, in 2018, manufactured the downfall of former Prime Minister, Malcolm Turnbull.
He contested the subsequent leadership ballot to become Australia’s 30th PM, but was defeated by Morrison.
Former Opposition Labour Party leader, Bill Shorten — who was defeated by Morrison at the 2019 election — called for the government to “settle their internal fighting.”
“People have to be convinced about the merits of politics on a good day. But this government is hopelessly divided and we’ve got the aged care crisis,” he told Nine Network television.
“We’ve got people with disabilities risking COVID-19. I think the nation wants us to focus on the people, not on our own games and the ins and outs.”– NNN-AGENCIES
