Senator Jacqui Lambie has joined the wave of criticism against Prime Minister Scott Morrison, saying she had "no doubt" he was a bully.
She is the third senator to level that accusation at the PM, following outgoing Liberal Senator Concetta Fierravanti-Wells' searing address in Parliament House.
Senator Fierravanti-Wells, who had been placed in an unwinnable third spot on the NSW Liberal Senate ticket for the federal election, said Mr Morrison was a "bully" and an "autocrat" without a moral compass who was "unfit" for office.
LIVE UPDATES: New 'bully' claim hits Prime Minister
She was supported by One Nation Senator Pauline Hanson, who "absolutely" backed up her claims.
Now, Senator Lambie has joined them.
"I have no doubt that he is a bully, I've dealt with him one on one," she told Today this morning.
"He got everything he deserved from (Senator Fierravanti-Wells) this week, and honestly, good for her. It's been a long time coming."
READ MORE: Twin threats off coast as dangerous system tracks south
Mr Morrison yesterday dismissed the accusations, suggesting that Senator Fierravanti-Wells had simply been "disappointed" with the pre-selection results.
"She's been similarly disappointed in the past with my predecessors," Mr Morrison said.
"There were 500 people from the Liberal Party who turned up on the weekend to make their choice about who they wanted to represent them."
Senators Marise Payne and Jim Molan were awarded the top two spots, amid accusations that Mr Morrison and Immigration Minister Alex Hawke had interfered in the process.
60 MINUTES: Is the world ready for another term of President Donald Trump?
"I understand she's disappointed about that," Mr Morrison said.
"When people are disappointed, they say things."
He said he encouraged Senator Fierravanti-Wells to take any "real complaints" she had to the State or Federal Liberal Party, which had processes in place to ensure she was heard.
But Senator Lambie said Senator Fierravanti-Wells' attack was not solely motivated by the preselection, and that she had been "seething" for some time.
"What annoys me is, I don't care if you've got personal issues with someone on the same team," she said.
"If they're the best person for the job you should put the country first and put them in the job."
She said Senator Fierravanti-Wells was a "top performer" who should have been a minister, instead of being left on the back-bench "because she wouldn't stand and nod to (Mr Morrison)".
"I don't care what anybody says, he's an absolute bully," Senator Lambie said.
from 9News https://ift.tt/bi3W84J
via IFTTT
Comments
Post a Comment