Morrison government

{{Infobox Australian government

|honorific-prefix =The Honourable

|honorific-suffix =MP

|name = Morrison government

|image = 200px

|office = Prime Minister of Australia

|term_start = 24 August 2018

|term_end = 23 May 2022

|monarch = Elizabeth II

|governor-general = Sir Peter Cosgrove (24 August 2018 – 1 July 2019)
David Hurley (1 July 2019 – 1 July 2024)

|primeminister = Scott Morrison

|deputypm = Barnaby Joyce

|party = Liberal and National (Coalition)

|startreason = Morrison wins second 2018 Liberal leadership spill

|endreason = Morrison loses 2022 Australian federal election

|status = Minority {{small|(October 2018 – May 2019; February 2021 – May 2022)}}
Majority {{small|(August 2018 – October 2018; May 2019 – February 2021)}}{{efn|After Turnbull lost the Liberal leadership, National MP Kevin Hogan left the government benches, but guaranteed confidence and supply and remained in the National party room. However, Turnbull's former seat of Wentworth was lost in a by-election to Kerryn Phelps resulting in a minority government. The government previously held 74 out of 149 seats in the House of Representatives. In February 2021, after the resignation of Craig Kelly from the Liberal Party, the Coalition effectively held 75 out of 151 seats plus a Liberal Speaker, however, the Speaker's vote is not considered to be part of the governments as he is expected the vote in accordance with convention only in which he must not create a majority where there is none, therefore the government did not hold a majority in the Lower House in its own right.}}

|predecessor = Turnbull government

|successor = Albanese Government

}}

The Morrison government was the federal executive government of Australia, led by Prime Minister Scott Morrison of the Liberal Party of Australia, between 2018 and 2022. The Morrison government commenced on 24 August 2018, when it was sworn in by the Governor-General of Australia.{{cite web|url=https://www.sbs.com.au/news/scott-morrison-sworn-in-as-australia-s-30th-prime-minister|title=Scott Morrison sworn in as Australia's 30th prime minivbcgferdwqsster|work=SBS News|date=24 August 2018|access-date=24 August 2018|archive-date=24 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180824104359/https://www.sbs.com.au/news/scott-morrison-sworn-in-as-australia-s-30th-prime-minister|url-status=live}} It was composed of members of the Liberal–National Coalition and succeeded the Abbott (2013–2015) and Turnbull (2015–2018) coalition governments in office, competing against the Australian Labor Party as the major Opposition party. Nationals Leader Michael McCormack was Deputy Prime Minister of Australia from the formation of the Morrison government until June 2021. He was replaced as Leader of the Nationals and Deputy Prime Minister by Barnaby Joyce.

Scott Morrison was Treasurer in the Turnbull government and became Prime Minister following the resignation of Malcolm Turnbull in 2018. The Coalition had been led to government at the 2013 Election by Tony Abbott, however Malcolm Turnbull became Prime Minister by challenging Abbott in 2015. Turnbull then led the Coalition to a narrow victory at the 2016 Election, and resigned in the midst of a challenge to his leadership by Minister for Home Affairs Peter Dutton in 2018. Turnbull then quit Parliament, plunging the Coalition into minority government following the 2018 Wentworth by-election. Elected leader of the Liberals over Dutton in the 2018 spill, Morrison then restored the Coalition to majority government at the 2019 Election.

With the commencement of the Morrison government, Josh Frydenberg replaced Julie Bishop as the Deputy Leader of the Liberal Party and replaced Morrison as Treasurer in the First Morrison Ministry, while Marise Payne took over from Bishop as Foreign Minister. Frydenberg and Payne remained in their posts in the Second Morrison Ministry, which was notable for including Ken Wyatt as Minister for Indigenous Australians – the first Aboriginal Australian to sit in Federal Cabinet – and seven women members, which was the largest number of women Cabinet members in Australian history.[https://www.bbc.com/news/world-australia-48418359 Ken Wyatt: Australia's first indigenous cabinet minister] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220125235405/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-australia-48418359 |date=25 January 2022 }}; bcc.com; 28 May 2019[https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-06-05/fact-check-scott-morrisons-cabinet-contain-record-women/11155528 Scott Morrison says his Cabinet maintains a record representation of women. Is he correct?] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220219011747/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-06-05/fact-check-scott-morrisons-cabinet-contain-record-women/11155528 |date=19 February 2022 }}; abc.net.au; 5 June 2019

In economic affairs, after producing the lowest federal budget deficit in a decade, Treasurer Frydenberg predicted a small surplus in the 2019 Federal Budget, however the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic led to a dramatic increase in government expenditure and a brief recession by September 2020. Pandemic management became a core focus of the Morrison government, which instigated tight border controls, convened a National Cabinet to co-ordinate State and Territory government responses, and initiated a program of income support for business and workers. Two years into the pandemic, Australia had achieved one of the lowest death rates and highest vaccination rates in the world. In February 2022, the Morrison government announced a re-opening of borders to international tourist travel.[https://www.bbc.com/news/world-australia-60284491 Covid: Australia to reopen borders to international travel] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220219011747/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-australia-60284491 |date=19 February 2022 }}; bcc.com, 7 Feb 2022 By the fourth Frydenberg Budget in March 2022 ahead of the 2022 Election, Australia’s unemployment rate was at 4% and projected to drop to 3.75%, its lowest figure in 50 years.[https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2022/mar/28/government-predicts-unemployment-will-drop-to-50year-low-as-it-spruiks-pre-election-budget Morrison government predicts unemployment will drop to 50-year low as it spruiks pre-election budget] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240510062114/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2022/mar/28/government-predicts-unemployment-will-drop-to-50year-low-as-it-spruiks-pre-election-budget |date=10 May 2024 }}; theguardian.com; 28 Mar, 2022

In trade and international affairs, the Morrison government concluded free trade agreements with Indonesia, the United Kingdom and India. In the Indo-Pacific region, Morrison launched the Pacific Step-Up initiative to increase engagement with Pacific Island nations, and revived the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue with Japan, India and United States. He also signed the AUKUS trilateral security pact with the United Kingdom and the United States to increase defence co-operation. The period was marked by a deterioration in bilateral relations with the increasingly autocratic Xi Jinping government in China, with Australia calling for an independent inquiry into the origins of COVID-19 and China responding with trade sanctions.[https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-07-07/australia-china-trade-tensions-official-economic-punishment/100273964 Chinese official declares Beijing has targeted Australian goods as economic punishment] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220219011746/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-07-07/australia-china-trade-tensions-official-economic-punishment/100273964 |date=19 February 2022 }}; abc.net.au; 7 Jul 2021 Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Morrison committed Australian military, diplomatic and humanitarian aid to support Ukraine's efforts to repel the Russian attack.

Morrison called the 2022 federal election on 10 April 2022, to be held on 21 May. After the majority of votes had been counted on election night, it became clear that the Coalition had no path to forming government. Morrison conceded the election, also announcing he would step down as leader of the Liberal Party. Labor leader Anthony Albanese was sworn in as the 31st Prime Minister of Australia on 23 May 2022.

Background

= Abbott wins office for Coalition =

File:Scott Morrison swearing in 2014.jpg in the Abbott government by Governor-General Sir Peter Cosgrove in 2014]]

The Liberal-National Coalition won office under the leadership of Tony Abbott in the 2013 Australian federal election in which Abbott defeated the second Rudd government and ended six years of Labor government.{{cite news|title=Abbott government sworn in|url=http://www.news.com.au/breaking-news/national/abbott-springs-into-action-on-day-one/story-e6frfku9-1226721414578|access-date=18 September 2013|work=news.com.au|date=18 September 2013|archive-date=18 September 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130918042010/http://www.news.com.au/breaking-news/national/abbott-springs-into-action-on-day-one/story-e6frfku9-1226721414578|url-status=dead}} Abbott had sought election on a platform promising to: restore stability after Labor infighting; reduce wasteful spending and restore Budget surpluses; abolish the Labor government's carbon and mining taxes; halt the seaborne people smuggling of asylum seekers; build infrastructure; prioritise indigenous affairs; and run a foreign policy that was "less Geneva, more Jakarta.".{{cite web |author=Taylor, Lenore |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/jun/02/foreign-policy-julie-bishop-coalition |title=Ten things to know about foreign policy under Julie Bishop and Tony Abbott |work=The Guardian |date=2 June 2013 |access-date=19 February 2022 |archive-date=10 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240510062101/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/jun/02/foreign-policy-julie-bishop-coalition |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://www.abc.net.au/lateline/content/2013/s3717026.htm |title=Tony Abbott promises a new engagement with Indigenous Australians |work=Lateline (ABC TV) |date=15 March 2013 |access-date=19 February 2022 |archive-date=23 May 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130523203428/http://www.abc.net.au/lateline/content/2013/s3717026.htm |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://australianpolitics.com/2013/02/13/act-of-recognition-passes-house-of-representatives.html |title=Act of Recognition Passes in House of Representatives |publisher=AustralianPolitics.com |date=13 February 2013 |access-date=19 February 2022 |archive-date=6 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151106231401/http://australianpolitics.com/2013/02/13/act-of-recognition-passes-house-of-representatives.html |url-status=live }} "{{cite web |url=http://www.abc.net.au/7.30/content/2013/s3839370.htm |title=Tony Abbott promises 'modest' savings before final costings release |date=2 September 2013 |work=7.30 (ABC TV) |access-date=19 February 2022 |archive-date=10 September 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160910194545/http://www.abc.net.au/7.30/content/2013/s3839370.htm |url-status=live }}

In office, the Abbott government removed the Rudd-Gillard era Resource Super Profits Tax and carbon tax.{{cite web| url = http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-04-22/abolish-the-carbon-tax-promise-check/5344596| title = Promise check: Abolish the carbon tax| website = Australian Broadcasting Corporation| date = 22 April 2014| access-date = 19 February 2022| archive-date = 4 October 2018| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20181004111424/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-04-22/abolish-the-carbon-tax-promise-check/5344596| url-status = live}}, ABC Fact checker{{cite web| url = http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-04-22/abolish-the-mining-tax-promise-check/5349376| title = Promise Check: Abolish the Mining Tax| website = Australian Broadcasting Corporation| date = 22 April 2014| access-date = 19 February 2022| archive-date = 20 September 2018| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180920222117/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-04-22/abolish-the-mining-tax-promise-check/5349376| url-status = live}}; ABC Fact Checker With Scott Morrison as Minister Immigration and Border Protection, the government halted the people smuggling trade; concluded free trade agreements with China, Japan and South Korea; established the National Commission of Audit to advise on restoring the Budget to surplus; instituted the Royal Commission into trade union governance and corruption; founded the Medical Research Future Fund; produced White Papers on Developing Northern Australia and the Agricultural Competitiveness; and promised a referendum to recognise indigenous Australians in the Constitution. Treasurer Joe Hockey delivered two Budgets, the first focused on expenditure reduction measures, but faced a hostile reception in the Senate and media. Partial deregulation of universities, and a $7 contribution to doctor visits were proposed, but blocked by the Senate. The second Budget emphasised stimulus for the small business sector.

Internal dissatisfaction with Abbott's style and policy agenda emerged within a section of the Liberal Party room and coalesced around old rival Malcolm Turnbull, whom Abbott had replaced as Opposition Leader in 2009. In February 2015, the ABC reported that "tensions between the Prime Minister and the colleagues campaigning to oust him are heading to a showdown."{{cite web| url = http://www.abc.net.au/7.30/content/2015/s4175723.htm| title = Two WA backbenchers call for a spill against Prime Minister Tony Abbott| website = Australian Broadcasting Corporation| date = 6 February 2015| access-date = 19 February 2022| archive-date = 11 December 2015| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151211023354/http://www.abc.net.au/7.30/content/2015/s4175723.htm| url-status = live}}; ABC; 7.30, Transcript 6 February 2015 A spill called by two WA backbenchers failed to raise the numbers for a change in leadership, however leaking and backgrounding against Abbott continued, though polling for the Coalition began to improve.{{cite news |last=Tadros |first=Edmund |date=24 February 2015 |title=Coalition recovers in polls, Tony Abbott remains unpopular |url=http://www.afr.com/news/politics/election/coalition-recovers-in-polls-tony-abbott-remains-unpopular-20150223-13mujp |publisher=afr.com |access-date=23 September 2015 |archive-date=25 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150925122826/http://www.afr.com/news/politics/election/coalition-recovers-in-polls-tony-abbott-remains-unpopular-20150223-13mujp |url-status=live }}{{cite web| url = http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/politics-news/newspoll-tony-abbott-rallies-coalition-at-four-month-high/story-fn59nqld-1227236213786?sv=fa1178e8bb0e42addf4c83dee6420914| title = NoCookies {{!}} The Australian}} {{Subscription required|date=September 2015}}{{cite web| url = http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/newspoll-budget-win-for-voters-economy-and-tony-abbott/story-fn59niix-1227358285115?sv=6f9ce0f2860459dd969853b9c6cc94f| title = NoCookies {{!}} The Australian}} {{Subscription required|date=September 2015}}

= Turnbull challenges Abbott =

In September 2015, Malcolm Turnbull ended speculation by launching a challenge against Abbott. Turnbull cited Newspoll results and "economic leadership" as reasons for mounting his challenge.{{cite news |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-09-14/malcolm-turnbulls-full-press-conference/6774744 |title=Liberal leadership: Malcolm Turnbull's press conference announcing challenge to Tony Abbott |work=ABC News |location=Australia |date=15 September 2015 |access-date=27 November 2018 |archive-date=2 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181002181646/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-09-14/malcolm-turnbulls-full-press-conference/6774744 |url-status=live }} on 14 September 2015, Malcolm Turnbull won a leadership ballot, 54 votes to 44, and the Turnbull government became the federal government of Australia. Turnbull appointed Scott Morrison as his Treasurer in an expanded ministry.{{cite news |url=https://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/malcolm-turnbull-cabinet-reshuffle-women-young-mps-the-big-winners-in-21st-century-team-20150920-gjqugi.html |title=Malcolm Turnbull cabinet reshuffle: Women, young MPs the big winners in '21st century' team |author1=Kenny, Mark |author2=Cox, Lisa |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |date=20 September 2015 |access-date=2 November 2015 |archive-date=7 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151107153728/http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/malcolm-turnbull-cabinet-reshuffle-women-young-mps-the-big-winners-in-21st-century-team-20150920-gjqugi.html |url-status=live }} The Turnbull government continued a number of Abbott government initiatives, maintaining Abbott's promise for a plebiscite on same-sex marriage in Australia, and his carbon emissions targets.[https://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-09-15/malcolm-turnbull-keeps-same-sex-marriage-climate-change-policies/6777416 Malcolm Turnbull keeps same-sex marriage, climate change policies on first day as Prime Minister] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220219045236/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-09-15/malcolm-turnbull-keeps-same-sex-marriage-climate-change-policies/6777416 |date=19 February 2022 }}; abc.net.au; 15 See 2015{{cite news |url=http://www.skynews.com.au/news/top-stories/2015/09/15/turnbull-gets-to-work-as-prime-minister0.html |title=Turnbull follows Abbott on climate, marriage |publisher=Sky News |location=Australia |date=15 September 2015 |access-date=2 November 2015 |archive-date=19 October 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151019074556/http://www.skynews.com.au/news/top-stories/2015/09/15/turnbull-gets-to-work-as-prime-minister0.html |url-status=dead }} Unable to secure passage of Abbott's bill to re-establish an anti-corruption watchdog for the construction industry, Turnbull initiated a double dissolution election.{{cite web|url=https://www.myagedcare.gov.au/help-home/commonwealth-home-support-programme|title=Commonwealth Home Support Programme|website=My Aged Care|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170501032017/http://www.myagedcare.gov.au/help-home/commonwealth-home-support-programme|archive-date=2017-05-01|url-status=live}} The election was held on 2 July,{{cite news | url=https://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/federal-election-2016/federal-election-2016-malcolm-turnbull-calls-july-2-double-dissolution-poll-20160508-gop342.html | title=Federal Election 2016: Malcolm Turnbull calls July 2 double dissolution poll | newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald | date=8 May 2016 | access-date=19 February 2022 | archive-date=23 September 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170923015953/http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/federal-election-2016/federal-election-2016-malcolm-turnbull-calls-july-2-double-dissolution-poll-20160508-gop342.html | url-status=live }} Under the slogan "jobs and growth," Turnbull then led the Coalition to the 2016 Election in which their majority in the House of Representatives was reduced to one seat.{{cite news|url=http://mobile.abc.net.au/news/2016-07-11/lnp-retains-capricornia-has-76-seats/7587578|title=Election 2016: LNP retains Capricornia, gives Coalition 76-seat majority government|date=11 July 2016|access-date=11 July 2016|publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation|archive-date=10 May 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240510061959/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-07-11/coalition-secures-majority-government-as-lnp-retains-capricornia/7587578|url-status=live}}

Morrison becomes Prime Minister

File:Kunjungan Perdana Menteri Australia Scott Morrison ke Indonesia (44349908382).jpg of Indonesia on his first overseas visit as prime minister in October 2019.]]

Turnbull's ousting of Abbott had divided the Liberal Party rank and file and tensions continued in the parliamentary Party.[http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-10-10/liberal-party-owes-abbott-an-enormous-debt-turnbull-says/6843816 NSW Liberals groan as Malcolm Turnbull tells gathering party is not ruled by factions, new PM praises Tony Abbott] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220522232026/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-10-10/liberal-party-owes-abbott-an-enormous-debt-turnbull-says/6843816 |date=22 May 2022 }}; Australian Broadcasting Corporation; 10 October 2015[https://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/jeff-kennett-attacks-malcolm-turnbull-for-selfinterest-and-lack-of-courage-20160308-gne4e3.html Jeff Kennett attacks Malcolm Turnbull for 'self-interest' and lack of courage] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170827161328/http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/jeff-kennett-attacks-malcolm-turnbull-for-selfinterest-and-lack-of-courage-20160308-gne4e3.html |date=27 August 2017 }}; The Sydney Morning Herald; 9 March 2016[http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-04-04/kevin-andrews-says-remarks-on-leadership-ambitions-hypothetical/7298256 Kevin Andrews says remarks about challenging Turnbull for leadership 'hypothetical'] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220522232052/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-04-04/kevin-andrews-says-remarks-on-leadership-ambitions-hypothetical/7298256 |date=22 May 2022 }}; Australian Broadcasting Corporation; 5 April 2016 In April 2018, the government reached the 30-consecutive-Newspoll-losses benchmark Turnbull had used to unseat Abbott.{{cite news | url=https://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/newspoll/prime-minister-malcolm-turnbull-hits-30-straight-newspoll-losses/news-story/386d5f79a71c6de3184bc60f6b225399 | title=Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull hits 30 straight Newspoll losses | newspaper=The Australian | date=18 April 2018}} The government suffered by-election losses in July 2018.[http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-07-30/malcolm-turnbull-authority-diminished-after-byelections/10050660 Malcolm Turnbull's authority diminished after by-election failures] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181104080635/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-07-30/malcolm-turnbull-authority-diminished-after-byelections/10050660 |date=4 November 2018 }}; www.abc.net.au; 30 July 2018 Dissent from conservative MPs over issues such as energy prices grew during Turnbull's final months. On 21 August, ahead of his 39th consecutive Newspoll loss, Turnbull announced a leadership spill, which he narrowly won against Peter Dutton. Turnbull resigned three days later after losing the confidence of his party room. Scott Morrison declared himself a candidate for leadership and won the resultant spill, defeating Dutton and Julie Bishop. He became Australia's 30th Prime Minister. After an eleven-year run as Deputy Leader of the Liberal Party, Julie Bishop garnered just 11 votes out of the 85-member party room, and quit her position as Foreign Minister to go to the backbench.[https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/julie-bishop-quits-as-foreign-minister-and-will-retire-from-parliament-20180826-p4zztq.html Julie Bishop quits as Foreign Minister and will likely retire from Parliament] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181123135455/https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/julie-bishop-quits-as-foreign-minister-and-will-retire-from-parliament-20180826-p4zztq.html |date=23 November 2018 }}; www.smh.com.au; 26 Aug 2018

Dutton committed to serving in and supporting the Morrison government, while Turnbull and Bishop were disaffected by the results of the leadership challenge. A week after losing the leadership, Turnbull formally tendered his resignation from federal parliament.{{cite news | url=https://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/malcolm-turnbull-quits-politics-seat-of-wentworth-set-for-byelection/news-story/84915872bcc25c9bf8c8447f57ea96a5 | title=Malcolm Turnbull quits politics, seat of Wentworth set for by-election | newspaper=The Australian | date=31 August 2018}} He became a trenchant critic of his successor Scott Morrison and backed independent candidates to replace Liberals in subsequent by-elections and elections.[https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/dec/09/very-healthy-malcolm-turnbull-backs-climate-focused-independents-running-in-liberal-seats ‘Very healthy’: Malcolm Turnbull backs climate-focused independents running in Liberal seats] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240510062558/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/dec/09/very-healthy-malcolm-turnbull-backs-climate-focused-independents-running-in-liberal-seats |date=10 May 2024 }}; theguardian.com.au; 9 Dec 2021 Bishop told a Women's Weekly awards event in the month after the spill that it had prompted discussion on the "bullying, intimidation, harassment and coercion" by federal politicians and "unfair unequal treatment of women".[https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-09-06/julie-bishop-criticises-parliamentary-colleagues-bullying-sexism/10205944 Julie Bishop criticises parliamentary colleagues for 'appalling' behaviour] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240510062504/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-09-06/julie-bishop-criticises-parliamentary-colleagues-bullying-sexism/10205944 |date=10 May 2024 }}; 6 Sep 2018 She joined Turnbull in calling for "clarity" around Dutton's eligibility to sit in Parliament, and refused to say how she would vote in the event of a referral.[https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/sep/13/malcolm-turnbull-lobbies-pm-to-refer-peter-dutton-to-high-court-over-eligibility Turnbull lobbies PM to refer Peter Dutton to high court over eligibility] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240510062505/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/sep/13/malcolm-turnbull-lobbies-pm-to-refer-peter-dutton-to-high-court-over-eligibility |date=10 May 2024 }}; www.theguardian.com; 13 Sept 2018 Bishop announced she would quit politics and not re-contest her seat in a statement to parliament in February 2019.{{cite web|url=https://www.smh.com.au/national/julie-bishop-quits-politics-20190221-h1bko2.html|title=Julie Bishop quits politics|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=22 February 2019|access-date=5 April 2019|archive-date=2 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190302004437/https://www.smh.com.au/national/julie-bishop-quits-politics-20190221-h1bko2.html|url-status=live}}

In December 2018, the Liberal Party room voted for a change in Party rules regarding leadership spills, and announced that a sitting prime minister who has won an election could no longer be removed by the Party room unless there was a two-thirds majority calling for the change. Opposition Leaders could still be challenged with a simple majority. Morrison said the move was in response to public disgust at the repeated rolling of Prime Ministers over the preceding decade.[https://www.sbs.com.au/news/former-liberal-pms-line-up-to-support-morrison-s-leadership-rules Former Liberal PMs line up to support Morrison’s leadership rules] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181208054600/https://www.sbs.com.au/news/former-liberal-pms-line-up-to-support-morrison-s-leadership-rules |date=8 December 2018 }}; www.sbs.com.au

= Minority government =

Turnbull's resignation necessitated the 2018 Wentworth by-election. The Turnbull government had won the 2016 federal election with a single seat majority in the House of Representatives (76 seats out of 150). Turnbull nevertheless refused to campaign for his successor Liberal candidate Dave Sharma.{{cite news | url=https://www.news.com.au/finance/work/leaders/malcolm-turnbull-reveals-why-he-didnt-campaign-for-dave-sharma/news-story/61c16763f0b45cbab768a3a48236d177 | title=Malcolm Turnbull reveals why he didn't campaign for Dave Sharma | publisher=www.news.com.au | date=23 October 2018 | access-date=8 December 2018 | archive-date=9 December 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181209124236/https://www.news.com.au/finance/work/leaders/malcolm-turnbull-reveals-why-he-didnt-campaign-for-dave-sharma/news-story/61c16763f0b45cbab768a3a48236d177 | url-status=live }} The by-election was held on 20 October 2018, and independent candidate Kerryn Phelps was elected, with a swing of almost twenty percent away from the Liberals.{{cite web|url=https://www.buzzfeed.com/aliceworkman/kerryn-phelps-wentworth|title=Kerryn Phelps Is Now Officially The Member For Wentworth|work=Buzzfeed|author=Alice Workman|date=5 November 2018|access-date=17 March 2019|archive-date=10 May 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240510062527/https://gum.criteo.com/syncframe?origin=publishertagids&topUrl=www.buzzfeed.com|url-status=live}} It was the first time since the inaugural 1901 election that the seat had not been represented by the Liberals, its predecessors, or party defectors.{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/elections/wentworth-by-election-2018/|title=2018 Wentworth by-election – ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)|website=ABC News|author=Antony Green|access-date=3 September 2018|archive-date=2 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180902234701/http://www.abc.net.au/news/elections/wentworth-by-election-2018/|url-status=live}} One of Phelps' campaign promises was to bring more humane treatment of asylum seekers held on Manus Island (in the Manus Regional Processing Centre) and Nauru (in the Nauru Regional Processing Centre), which was partly brought to fruition with the passing of the "Medevac bill" early in 2019.{{cite news|newspaper=Sydney Morning Herald|url=https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/kerryn-phelps-led-the-passage-of-the-medevac-law-will-voters-reward-her-for-it-20190214-p50xus.html|first=Jacquelene|last=Maley|title=Kerryn Phelps led the passage of the Medevac law. Will voters reward her for it?|access-date=3 March 2019|archive-date=6 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190306044042/https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/kerryn-phelps-led-the-passage-of-the-medevac-law-will-voters-reward-her-for-it-20190214-p50xus.html|url-status=live}}

Turnbull's quitting of Parliament also contributed to the defection of two of the Coalition's MPs to the crossbenches, which reduced the Coalition to a minority on the floor of Parliament. National Party MP Kevin Hogan had threatened to move to the crossbench if Turnbull was ousted as Prime Minister. On 27 August 2018, three days after Morrison succeeded Turnbull as leader, Hogan confirmed that he would sit on the crossbench, while remaining a member of the National Party and providing confidence and supply to the government.{{cite news|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-08-28/support-continues-for-kevin-hogan-as-he-heads-for-crossbenches/10169212|title=Kevin Hogan goes to the crossbenches, but remains a Nationals MP|date=28 August 2018|work=ABC News|access-date=23 November 2018|last1=Ross|first1=Hannah|last2=MacKenzie|first2=Bruce|last3=Shoebridge|first3=Joanne|archive-date=29 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180829001615/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-08-28/support-continues-for-kevin-hogan-as-he-heads-for-crossbenches/10169212|url-status=live}}

The loss of Turnbull's seat together with the subsequent defection of the Liberal Member for Chisholm Julia Banks to the crossbench on 27 November, reduced the government's numbers to 73.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/nov/27/julia-banks-quits-liberal-party-and-says-it-has-abandoned-sensible-centrist-values|title=Julia Banks quits Liberal party and says it has abandoned 'sensible centrist values'|work=The Guardian|date=27 November 2018|access-date=27 November 2018|archive-date=10 May 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240510062509/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/nov/27/julia-banks-quits-liberal-party-and-says-it-has-abandoned-sensible-centrist-values|url-status=live}} Banks made the announcement while Morrison was announcing a timetable for Budget surplus in 2019. She told Parliament her former Party had "changed largely due to the actions of the reactionary and regressive right wing who talk about and to themselves rather than listening to the people." The Guardian reported that the move undercut Morrison's efforts to stabilise the government and project a plan for the next election. Banks promised confidence and supply to the government. She told Fairfax Media that she was prepared to refer Turnbull's challenger Peter Dutton to the High Court over his eligibility to sit in Parliament, a move that would further reduce the government's numbers on the floor of the House.[https://www.canberratimes.com.au/politics/federal/julia-banks-breaks-silence-on-peter-dutton-high-court-referral-20181130-p50jdv.html Julia Banks breaks silence on Peter Dutton High Court referral] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181204005603/https://www.canberratimes.com.au/politics/federal/julia-banks-breaks-silence-on-peter-dutton-high-court-referral-20181130-p50jdv.html |date=4 December 2018 }}; www.canberratimes.com.au; 30 November Banks ran as an independent in the subsequent 2019 Election, but lost to the Liberal candidate. The seat of Wentworth also returned to the Liberals with the election of former diplomat Dave Sharma.

= First Ministry =

File:Michael McCormack 2018-02 (cropped).jpg was Deputy Prime Minister until June 2021]]

Morrison was sworn in as prime minister on 24 August 2018, by the Governor-General, Sir Peter Cosgrove, in a ceremony at Government House. The newly elected Deputy Leader of the Liberal Party Josh Frydenberg was the only other minister sworn in, as Treasurer. Morrison told the press that his government would return stability and unity to the country. National Party Leader Michael McCormack continued as Deputy Prime Minister.[https://www.sbs.com.au/news/scott-morrison-sworn-in-as-australia-s-30th-prime-minister/391eada4-19f5-41da-9275-a74f20ffd6b5 Scott Morrison sworn in as Australia's 30th prime minister] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220219062603/https://www.sbs.com.au/news/scott-morrison-sworn-in-as-australia-s-30th-prime-minister/391eada4-19f5-41da-9275-a74f20ffd6b5 |date=19 February 2022 }}; SBS.com.au; 24 August 2018 On 26 August, Morrison announced that Senator Marise Payne would succeed the resigning Julie Bishop as Foreign Minister.{{cite news |title=Scott Morrison announces new ministry |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-08-26/scott-morrison-announces-new-cabinet-after-julie-bishop-quits/10166300 |access-date=26 August 2018 |work=ABC News |date=26 August 2018 |language=en-AU |archive-date=26 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180826125929/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-08-26/scott-morrison-announces-new-cabinet-after-julie-bishop-quits/10166300 |url-status=live }} Peter Dutton retained his job as Home Affairs Minister, but had his responsibilities split to separate out the Immigration portfolio, with that job going to David Coleman. Turnbull supporter Christopher Pyne replaced Senator Payne as Defence Minister and Steve Ciobo was selected for the Defence Industry role. Simon Birmingham took over Mr Ciobo's former job as Trade Minister. Melissa Price was promoted into Cabinet and as Environment Minister. Angus Taylor was given the Energy portfolio. Dan Tehan became Education Minister. Deposed Nationals leader Barnaby Joyce, who had been previously ousted by Turnbull, was appointed as Special Envoy for Drought Assistance and Recovery.[https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-08-26/scott-morrison-announces-new-cabinet-after-julie-bishop-quits/10166300 Scott Morrison announces new ministry with Julie Bishop replaced by Marise Payne as foreign affairs minister] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220115075000/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-08-26/scott-morrison-announces-new-cabinet-after-julie-bishop-quits/10166300 |date=15 January 2022 }}; abc.net.au; 26 Aug 2018 The Ministry was sworn in on 28 August 2018.{{cite web|url=https://amp.news.com.au/national/breaking-news/morrisons-new-cabinet-to-be-sworn-in/news-story/a0dd8514ba14b0441fed41db0179329c|title=PM Scott Morrison's new cabinet sworn in|date=28 August 2018|work=News.com.au|access-date=29 August 2018|archive-date=29 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180829110246/https://amp.news.com.au/national/breaking-news/morrisons-new-cabinet-to-be-sworn-in/news-story/a0dd8514ba14b0441fed41db0179329c|url-status=live}}

On 17 December 2018, Andrew Broad resigned over a sex scandal.{{cite news |last1=Grattan |first1=Michelle |title=National Andrew Broad forced to quit frontbench amid 'sugar baby' allegation |url=https://theconversation.com/national-andrew-broad-forced-to-quit-frontbench-amid-sugar-baby-allegation-108914 |access-date=17 December 2018 |work=The Conversation |date=17 December 2018 |archive-date=17 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181217084740/http://theconversation.com/national-andrew-broad-forced-to-quit-frontbench-amid-sugar-baby-allegation-108914 |url-status=live }} On 19 January 2019, Kelly O'Dwyer, Minister for Women, Jobs and Industrial Relations, announced that she would not be contesting the upcoming election as her two children would be approaching primary school age and she wanted to give her and her husband the best opportunity for a third child.{{cite news |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-01-19/kelly-odwyer-quitting-federal-parliament/10729102 |title=Minister for Women Kelly O'Dwyer quitting federal politics in shock resignation |first=Dan |last=Conifer |date=19 January 2019 |access-date=19 January 2019 |work=ABC News |archive-date=19 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190119063027/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-01-19/kelly-odwyer-quitting-federal-parliament/10729102 |url-status=live }} Within one week, Human Services Minister Michael Keenan and Indigenous Affairs Minister Nigel Scullion also announced that they would not recontest their seats at the 2019 election, widely attributed to the low chances of the Morrison government being re-elected.{{cite news |last1=Dalzell |first1=Stephanie |last2=MacMillan |first2=Jade |date=26 January 2019 |title=Indigenous Affairs Minister Nigel Scullion to become third minister to quit politics |work=ABC News (Australia) |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-01-26/nigel-scullion-quits-politics-indigenous-affairs-national-clp/10747898 |access-date=26 January 2019 |archive-date=26 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190126002504/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-01-26/nigel-scullion-quits-politics-indigenous-affairs-national-clp/10747898 |url-status=live }}

First term of government 2018–2019

= Economy =

File:Josh Frydenberg April 2019.jpg.]]

Morrison had been Treasurer in the Turnbull government, and was succeeded by Josh Frydenberg in the role. In September, Treasurer Frydenberg announced that the government would deliver a smaller budget deficit than forecast for 2017–18, and that the budget was on track to return to balance by 2019–20. The [https://www.budget.gov.au/2017-18/content/fbo/download/FBO_2017-18_Combined.pdf Final Budget Outcome] deficit of $10.1 billion was $19.3bn smaller than predicted, and the smallest recorded since the 2008 financial crisis. The result had been assisted by larger tax intakes and less spending on social security than expected. The Treasurer credited the result to the Coalition's economic management with real spending growth down to its lowest level in half a century.{{cite news |last1=Hutchens |first1=Gareth |title=Coalition reveals smallest deficit in a decade after decline in welfare spending |url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/sep/25/coalition-reveals-smallest-deficit-in-a-decade-after-decline-in-welfare-spending |work=the Guardian |date=25 September 2018 |language=en |access-date=26 September 2018 |archive-date=10 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240510062652/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/sep/25/coalition-reveals-smallest-deficit-in-a-decade-after-decline-in-welfare-spending |url-status=live }} In October 2018, The Economist described Australia as possessing "the world’s most successful economy".[https://www.economist.com/special-report/2018/10/27/australias-economy-is-still-booming-but-politics-is-a-cause-for-concern Australia’s economy is still booming, but politics is a cause for concern] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181128164557/https://www.economist.com/special-report/2018/10/27/australias-economy-is-still-booming-but-politics-is-a-cause-for-concern |date=28 November 2018 }}; www.economist.com;27 Oct 2018

The "tampon tax": the Goods and Services Tax applied to feminine hygiene products, will be removed as of 1 January 2019.{{cite news |last1=Remeikis |first1=Amy |title=Senate changes rules to combat sledging after Barry O'Sullivan comments – as it happened |url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2018/nov/28/coalition-labor-morrison-dutton-shorten-australian-politics-live?page=with:block-5bfe2fc8e4b04e8ca091e622#block-5bfe2fc8e4b04e8ca091e622 |access-date=1 December 2018 |work=The Guardian |date=28 November 2018 |archive-date=10 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240510063227/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2018/nov/28/coalition-labor-morrison-dutton-shorten-australian-politics-live?page=with:block-5bfe2fc8e4b04e8ca091e622#block-5bfe2fc8e4b04e8ca091e622 |url-status=live }}

The Royal Commission into Misconduct in the Banking, Superannuation and Financial Services Industry was handed down in February, with 76 recommendations. There were only five remaining sitting days in Parliament, so there is little time for a legislative response before the election.{{cite news |last1=Jennett |first1=Greg |title='Legislative mathematics that defies calculation': The difficulty of acting on Hayne's report |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-02-05/kenneth-hayne-royal-commission-report-labor-versus-liberals/10779476 |access-date=5 February 2019 |work=ABC News |date=5 February 2019 |language=en-AU |archive-date=4 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190204204504/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-02-05/kenneth-hayne-royal-commission-report-labor-versus-liberals/10779476 |url-status=live }} Labor has indicated that it intends to work with the crossbench to extend the sitting days for Parliament,{{cite news |last1=Remeikis |first1=Amy |title=Coalition could be forced into extra sitting days to deal with banking reform |url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/feb/06/coalition-could-be-forced-into-extra-sitting-days-to-deal-with-banking-reform |access-date=16 February 2019 |work=The Guardian |date=6 February 2019 |archive-date=10 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240510063020/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/feb/06/coalition-could-be-forced-into-extra-sitting-days-to-deal-with-banking-reform |url-status=live }} however, Christopher Pyne, speaking for the government, has pointed out that these laws are complex and should not be rushed through.{{cite news |last1=Farr |first1=Malcolm |title=Banking royal commission: Labor demands immediate changes |url=https://www.news.com.au/finance/business/banking/labor-demands-immediate-law-changes-after-royal-commission/news-story/5dcc75ece3ef0ddfc089132fcceed827 |access-date=16 February 2019 |work=news.com.au |date=11 February 2019 |archive-date=16 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190216091654/https://www.news.com.au/finance/business/banking/labor-demands-immediate-law-changes-after-royal-commission/news-story/5dcc75ece3ef0ddfc089132fcceed827 |url-status=live }}

== Federal Budget ==

Morrison said the government would "continue to consolidate the budget", but its priorities for spending included additional school and hospital funding, affordable medicines and the national disability insurance scheme. In November, Morrison and Frydenberg announced the 2019 Federal Budget would be brought forward a month to 2 April. "We will be handing down a budget and it will be a surplus budget. It will be a budget which is the product of the years of hard work of our government," Morrison said.[https://www.afr.com/news/scott-morrison-announces-federal-budget-on-april-2-election-in-may-20181127-h18e8y Scott Morrison announces federal budget on 2 April, election in May] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181128213734/https://www.afr.com/news/scott-morrison-announces-federal-budget-on-april-2-election-in-may-20181127-h18e8y |date=28 November 2018 }}; www.afr.com; 27 Nov 2018[https://www.afr.com/news/politics/scott-morrison-uses-early-budget-to-announce-federal-election-20181127-h18dwu Scott Morrison uses early budget to announce federal election] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181209123556/https://www.afr.com/news/politics/scott-morrison-uses-early-budget-to-announce-federal-election-20181127-h18dwu |date=9 December 2018 }}; www.afr.com; 27 November 2018

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg handed down the budget in a speech to parliament on the night of 2 April. The budget forecast a small surplus of $7.1 billion in the upcoming financial year (2019–20), though it was technically in deficit as the existing financial year came to a close.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/apr/02/australia-federal-budget-2019-morrison-coalition-budget-cormann-cash-election-mandate|title=Australia budget 2019: Morrison splashes the cash in final election sell to the suburbs|work=The Guardian|date=2 April 2019|access-date=5 April 2019|archive-date=10 May 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240510063237/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/apr/02/australia-federal-budget-2019-morrison-coalition-budget-cormann-cash-election-mandate|url-status=live}} The leading statements made were a cash rebate targeted toward lower and middle-income earners, with the Coalition promising to double the low and middle income tax offset it offered workers in the previous year's budget, giving voters on incomes between $50,000 and $90,000 a rebate of $1,080, similar to the Labor Party's proposals. The budget was criticised by the opposition for proposing to flatten the tax rates of all income earners between $45,000-$200,000 to 30% in the long-term, though the Treasurer argued that doing so would provide an "incentive [for] people to stay in work, to work longer, to work more."{{cite news|url=https://www.news.com.au/finance/economy/federal-budget/question-over-treasurers-flatter-more-progressive-tax-plan/news-story/1a8746006b861b0c0c6c6cb11698775a|title=Question over Treasurer's 'flatter, more progressive' tax plan|work=News.com.au|date=3 April 2019|last1=Farr|first1=Malcolm|access-date=5 April 2019|archive-date=5 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190405171440/https://www.news.com.au/finance/economy/federal-budget/question-over-treasurers-flatter-more-progressive-tax-plan/news-story/1a8746006b861b0c0c6c6cb11698775a|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://www.news.com.au/finance/economy/federal-budget/the-most-revealing-sentence-in-bill-shortens-budget-reply-speech/news-story/4decd13ac8f425f4a794fb81bcadbe7b|title=The most revealing sentence in Bill Shorten's Budget reply speech|work=News.com.au|date=4 April 2019|last1=Clench|first1=Sam|access-date=5 April 2019|archive-date=5 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190405031831/https://www.news.com.au/finance/economy/federal-budget/the-most-revealing-sentence-in-bill-shortens-budget-reply-speech/news-story/4decd13ac8f425f4a794fb81bcadbe7b|url-status=live}} The government also promised $100 billion infrastructure funding over the decade and offered one-off payments for nearly 4 million welfare recipients to cover the cost of energy prices, which Labor supported.{{cite web|url=https://www.afr.com/news/politics/national/neutralise-and-move-on-labor-to-support-budget-cash-splash-20190331-p519al|title='Neutralise and move on': Labor to support budget cash splash|work=Australian Financial Review|date=1 April 2019|access-date=5 April 2019|archive-date=3 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190403131857/https://www.afr.com/news/politics/national/neutralise-and-move-on-labor-to-support-budget-cash-splash-20190331-p519al|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/mar/31/coalition-promises-one-off-energy-payments-as-labor-pledges-to-reset-budget|title=Coalition promises one-off energy payments as Labor pledges to 'reset' budget|work=The Guardian|date=1 April 2019|access-date=5 April 2019|archive-date=10 May 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240510063240/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/mar/31/coalition-promises-one-off-energy-payments-as-labor-pledges-to-reset-budget|url-status=live}} Labor's budget reply differed from the government most notably with a $2.3 billion proposal to cover medical imaging, consultation and medicines' costs for cancer patients.{{cite web|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-04-04/budget-reply-bill-shorten-tax-medicare-cancer-plan/10972110|title=Bill Shorten uses Budget reply to promise billions for cancer patients and match Coalition's tax cuts|work=ABC News|date=4 April 2019|access-date=5 April 2019|archive-date=4 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190404225752/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-04-04/budget-reply-bill-shorten-tax-medicare-cancer-plan/10972110|url-status=live}} Overall, Labor had approximately $200 billion more funding than the Coalition to utilise over the decade; as it proposed more revenue raising, including scaling back negative gearing and abolishing cash refunds for excess franking credits, policies which were vociferously opposed by the government.

= Foreign affairs, defence and trade =

File:Secretary Pompeo Meets with Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne (50160890627) (cropped).jpg.]]

{{See also|List of international prime ministerial trips made by Scott Morrison}}

Morrison shifted Marise Payne from the Defence Portfolio to the role of Minister for Foreign Affairs, following the resignation of Julie Bishop from the role. He visited Jakarta for the Australia–Indonesia Business Forum and met with President Joko Widodo on his first overseas visit as prime minister.{{cite news|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-08-30/scott-morrisons-first-foreign-trip-indonesia-for-free-trade/10178532|title=Scott Morrison's foreign affairs foray follows predecessors' familiar flightpath|publisher=ABC News|date=30 August 2018|access-date=2 September 2018|archive-date=2 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180902030926/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-08-30/scott-morrisons-first-foreign-trip-indonesia-for-free-trade/10178532|url-status=live}}{{cite news |title=Scott Morrison has big shoes to fill in Indonesia — but he started off on the right foot |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-09-02/scott-morrison-indonesia-visit-was-a-success/10191320 |access-date=3 September 2018 |work=ABC News |date=2 September 2018 |language=en-AU |archive-date=3 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180903025905/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-09-02/scott-morrison-indonesia-visit-was-a-success/10191320 |url-status=live }} The Morrison government and Indonesia announced the substantive conclusion of negotiations on the Indonesia -Australia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IA-CEPA) on 31 August 2018.[https://dfat.gov.au/trade/agreements/not-yet-in-force/iacepa/Pages/indonesia-australia-comprehensive-economic-partnership-agreement.aspx Indonesia-Australia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200308153641/https://www.dfat.gov.au/trade/agreements/not-yet-in-force/iacepa/Pages/indonesia-australia-comprehensive-economic-partnership-agreement.aspx |date=8 March 2020 }}; dfat.gov.au

File:President Donald J. Trump at the G20 Summit (44304308550).jpg at the G20 Summit in Buenos Aires]]

Morrison has signalled that his government could accept New Zealand's offer to accept refugees detained by Australia on Manus and Nauru if they were subject to a lifetime ban from coming to Australia.{{cite news |last1=Koziol |first1=Michael |title=Scott Morrison prepared to accept New Zealand refugee offer 'if lifetime ban law passed' |url=https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/scott-morrison-prepared-to-accept-new-zealand-refugee-offer-if-lifetime-ban-law-passed-20181016-p509zu.html |access-date=18 October 2018 |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |date=16 October 2018 |language=en |archive-date=18 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181018094507/https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/scott-morrison-prepared-to-accept-new-zealand-refugee-offer-if-lifetime-ban-law-passed-20181016-p509zu.html |url-status=live }}

Due to the assassination of Jamal Khashoggi, the Australian government has pulled out of the Future Investment Initiative summit in Saudi Arabia.{{cite news |last1=Smee |first1=Ben |title=Australia pulls out of Saudi summit over Khashoggi death |url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/oct/20/shorten-says-australia-should-boycott-saudi-summit-over-khashoggi-death |access-date=20 October 2018 |work=the Guardian |date=20 October 2018 |language=en |archive-date=30 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191130140028/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/oct/20/shorten-says-australia-should-boycott-saudi-summit-over-khashoggi-death |url-status=live }}

== Israeli embassy ==

During the Wentworth by-election campaign, and following the announcement by the United States that it would relocate its embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, Morrison announced he was reviewing whether Australia's embassy in Israel should move to Jerusalem.{{cite news |last1=Murphy |first1=Katharine |last2=McGowan |first2=Michael |last3=Davies |first3=Anne |title=Jerusalem embassy move a 'sensible' proposal, says Scott Morrison |url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/oct/16/australia-may-move-embassy-in-israel-to-jerusalem |access-date=16 October 2018 |work=the Guardian |date=15 October 2018 |language=en |archive-date=16 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181016004333/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/oct/16/australia-may-move-embassy-in-israel-to-jerusalem |url-status=live }} Indonesia responded by putting the free trade agreement on hold,{{cite news |last1=Peatling |first1=Stephanie |title=Jerusalem embassy proposal delays Australia-Indonesia trade agreement |url=https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/jerusalem-embassy-proposal-delays-australia-indonesia-trade-agreement-20181114-p50fxb.html |access-date=17 February 2019 |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |date=14 November 2018 |language=en |archive-date=18 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190218021452/https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/jerusalem-embassy-proposal-delays-australia-indonesia-trade-agreement-20181114-p50fxb.html |url-status=live }} though it was eventually signed in Jakarta in March 2019.{{cite news |last1=Hodge |first1=Amanda |last2=Rayda |first2=Nivell |title=Indonesia, Australia finally sign free-trade agreement |url=https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/foreign-affairs/indonesia-australia-finally-sign-freetrade-agreement/news-story/f93dcc1f01ceb196f99fae84a1e806be?nk=6f276aed6a3f5b45ca29db11e3b757b2-1554486706 |access-date=5 April 2019 |work=The Australian |date=4 March 2019 |archive-date=7 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230407034557/https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/foreign-affairs/indonesia-australia-finally-sign-freetrade-agreement/news-story/f93dcc1f01ceb196f99fae84a1e806be?nk=6f276aed6a3f5b45ca29db11e3b757b2-1554486706 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |title=If Australia moves its embassy to Jerusalem, it could put an $11 billion trade deal at risk |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2018/10/17/if-australia-moves-its-embassy-jerusalem-it-could-put-an-billion-trade-deal-risk/ |access-date=18 October 2018 |work=www.washingtonpost.com |archive-date=18 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181018082738/https://www.washingtonpost.com/amphtml/world/2018/10/17/if-australia-moves-its-embassy-jerusalem-it-could-put-an-billion-trade-deal-risk/?noredirect=on |url-status=live }} In December 2018, Morrison announced Australia has recognised West Jerusalem as the capital of Israel but will not immediately move its embassy from Tel Aviv.{{Cite news|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-12-15/government-recognises-west-jerusalem-but-keeps-tel-aviv-embassy/10614226|title=Government recognises West Jerusalem as Israel's capital, embassy to stay put|newspaper=ABC News|date=14 December 2018|access-date=15 December 2018|archive-date=15 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181215104245/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-12-15/government-recognises-west-jerusalem-but-keeps-tel-aviv-embassy/10614226|url-status=live}}

== Pacific Step-Up ==

Ahead of the 2018 APEC Forum in PNG, the Morrison government announced increased defence co-operation with Pacific nations including a plan to jointly develop a naval base on Manus Island with Papua New Guinea and a "pivot to the Pacific" involving the establishment of a $2 billion infrastructure bank for the Pacific to be known as the Australian Infrastructure Financing Facility, to issue grants and long-term loans for projects such as telecommunications, energy, transport and water development. Morrison also pledged to open diplomatic missions in Palau, the Marshall Islands, French Polynesia, Niue and the Cook Islands.[https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-11-08/scott-morrison-announces-pacific-infrastructure-bank/10475452 Scott Morrison reveals multi-billion-dollar infrastructure development bank for Pacific] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181126121759/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-11-08/scott-morrison-announces-pacific-infrastructure-bank/10475452 |date=26 November 2018 }}; www.abc.net.au; 8 Nov 2018[https://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/inquirer/morrison-the-quiet-achiever-of-progress-in-the-south-pacific/news-story/a35acce7ad2262e01461c0c67923e7de Major moves: Morrison has remade Australia’s strategic position]; www.theaustralian.com.au; 23 Nov 2018 The "pivot to the Pacific" has been read as a way of undermining Chinese influence in the region.{{cite web |title=Australia's Pivot to the Pacific |url=https://www.internationalaffairs.org.au/australianoutlook/australias-pivot-to-the-pacific/ |website=Australian Institute of International Affairs |access-date=5 January 2019 |archive-date=3 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191203015123/https://www.internationalaffairs.org.au/australianoutlook/australias-pivot-to-the-pacific/ |url-status=live }}

At the Pacific Islands Forum in August 2019 the 'Pivot to the Pacific' was severely undermined by Morrison's intransigence on the topic of climate change. In the face of an existential threat to those Morrison refers to as "family", Morrison refused to offer more than tokenism. The "very insulting and condescending" behaviour offered by Morrison{{cite web |title=Fiji PM accuses Scott Morrison of 'insulting' and alienating Pacific leaders |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/aug/16/fiji-pm-frank-bainimarama-insulting-scott-morrison-rift-pacific-countries |website=The Guardian |date=17 August 2019 |access-date=17 August 2019 |archive-date=10 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240510063025/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/aug/16/fiji-pm-frank-bainimarama-insulting-scott-morrison-rift-pacific-countries |url-status=live }} comes as the Deputy PM tells an Australian business group that Pacific Islanders will survive "because many of their workers come here to pick our fruit".{{cite web |title=Pacific islands will survive climate crisis because they 'pick our fruit', Australia's deputy PM says |website=TheGuardian.com |date=16 August 2019 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/aug/16/pacific-islands-will-survive-climate-crisis-because-they-can-pick-our-fruit-australias-deputy-pm-says |access-date=17 August 2019 |archive-date=10 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240510063059/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/aug/16/pacific-islands-will-survive-climate-crisis-because-they-can-pick-our-fruit-australias-deputy-pm-says |url-status=live }}

File:Kunjungan Perdana Menteri Australia Scott Morrison ke Indonesia (43682157344).jpg and Enggartiasto Lukita sign a memorandum of understanding in Jakarta in August 2018, as Prime Minister Scott Morrison and President Joko Widodo look on.]]

== Indonesia Economic Partnership ==

The Indonesia–Australia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IA-CEPA) was signed by the Trade Minister Simon Birmingham in March 2019. Australia ratified the agreement in November 2019 (alongside CEPAs with Peru, Hong Kong and China){{cite web |title=Customs Amendment (Growing Australian Export Opportunities Across the Asia-Pacific) Bill 2019 |url=https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/Bills_Search_Results/Result?bId=r6426 |website=aph.gov.au |publisher=Parliament of Australia |access-date=14 February 2020 |archive-date=25 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200225140807/https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/Bills_Search_Results/Result?bId=r6426 |url-status=live }} and Indonesia followed suit in February 2020, with its provisions coming into effect in April 2020.{{cite news |title=Indonesia ratifies long-awaited free trade deal with Australia |url=https://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2020/02/06/indonesia-ratifies-long-awaited-free-trade-deal-with-australia.html |access-date=14 February 2020 |work=The Jakarta Post |date=6 February 2020 |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200208141844/https://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2020/02/06/indonesia-ratifies-long-awaited-free-trade-deal-with-australia.html |archive-date=8 February 2020 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last1=Wyeth |first1=Grant |title=Australia and Indonesia: Close Friends At Last? |url=https://thediplomat.com/2020/02/australia-and-indonesia-close-friends-at-last/ |access-date=14 February 2020 |work=The Diplomat |date=11 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200212145603/https://thediplomat.com/2020/02/australia-and-indonesia-close-friends-at-last/ |archive-date=12 February 2020 |url-status=live }} The agreement secured greater access for Australian agriculture and education into the Indonesian market. In an historic address to the Australian Parliament following the ratification of the agreement, Indonesian President Joko Widodo welcomed the pact and said that Australia is Indonesia's closest friend, while calling on the two democracies to battle against identity politics, improve human rights, foster greater tolerance and stop terrorism. Morrison said in reply "We now have a plan of action to take the next steps in our relationship — from trade and investment to defence, counter-terrorism, maritime security, ocean sustainability and education, to name only some — and even today we add energy and the future of fuel sources for our nations to this long list."[https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-02-10/joko-widodo-indonesian-president-addresses-australian-parliament/11948604 Joko Widodo uses historic speech to call for greater action to tackle climate change] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220219092015/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-02-10/joko-widodo-indonesian-president-addresses-australian-parliament/11948604 |date=19 February 2022 }}; abc.net.au; 10 Feb 2020

= Energy and climate change =

After taking office, Morrison appointed Angus Taylor as Minister for Energy, saying "I am going to be the Prime Minister for getting electricity prices down. Angus Taylor is the minister for getting electricity prices down and that is a core focus of my government..."[https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/i-am-not-sceptical-about-climate-science-energy-minister-angus-taylor-hits-back-in-new-price-pledge-20180829-p500je.html 'I am not sceptical about climate science': Energy Minister Angus Taylor hits back in new price pledge] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181128164532/https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/i-am-not-sceptical-about-climate-science-energy-minister-angus-taylor-hits-back-in-new-price-pledge-20180829-p500je.html |date=28 November 2018 }}; www.smh.com.au; 29 Aug 2018

Morrison committed to remaining in the Paris Agreement settled under the Abbott and Turnbull governments, but promised a greater focus on reduction of energy prices. He described coal as remaining "a key source of keeping electricity prices down and keeping the lights on, and I intend for it to stay there".{{cite web|url=https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/australasia/article/2162464/australian-pm-scott-morrison-ditching-paris-climate-treaty|title=Australian PM: ditching Paris treaty wouldn't cut energy prices|date=3 September 2018|access-date=3 September 2018|archive-date=3 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180903110325/https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/australasia/article/2162464/australian-pm-scott-morrison-ditching-paris-climate-treaty|url-status=live}}{{cite news |last1=Murphy |first1=Katharine |title=Scott Morrison contradicts energy advice, saying Paris targets can be met 'at a canter' |url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/sep/05/scott-morrison-contradicts-energy-advice-saying-paris-targets-can-be-met-at-a-canter |access-date=5 September 2018 |work=Guardian Australia |date=5 September 2018 |language=en}}{{cite news |title=Scott Morrison says national energy guarantee 'is dead' |url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/sep/08/scott-morrison-says-national-energy-guarantee-is-dead |work=Guardian Australia |date=8 September 2018 |language=en |access-date=8 September 2018 |archive-date=10 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240510063528/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/sep/08/scott-morrison-says-national-energy-guarantee-is-dead |url-status=live }} The Morrison government did not commit to replacing the existing renewable energy target with anything when it expires in 2020, stating that it will not be needed to meet emissions reduction targets.{{cite news |last1=Murphy |first1=Katharine |title=Coalition won't replace renewables target after it winds down in 2020 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/sep/18/coalition-wont-replace-renewables-target-after-it-winds-down-in-2020 |access-date=18 September 2018 |work=Guardian Australia |date=18 September 2018 |language=en |archive-date=10 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240510063528/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/sep/18/coalition-wont-replace-renewables-target-after-it-winds-down-in-2020 |url-status=live }}

The government has implemented the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission's review recommendations into electricity prices by asking energy retailers to introduce a default market offer for households and small businesses, which would be standard across all retailers.{{cite news |last1=Murphy |first1=Katharine |title=Coalition asks regulator to intervene on electricity prices |url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/oct/22/coalition-asks-regulator-to-intervene-on-electricity-prices |access-date=23 October 2018 |work=the Guardian |date=22 October 2018 |language=en |archive-date=10 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240510063457/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/oct/22/coalition-asks-regulator-to-intervene-on-electricity-prices |url-status=live }} This is designed to assist consumers who do not regularly change their power provider.{{cite news |title=Want cheaper power bills? The Government says it can save you up to $800 a year |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-10-23/federal-govt-energy-policy-save-households-hundreds-of-dollars/10418994 |access-date=24 October 2018 |work=ABC News |date=23 October 2018 |language=en-AU |archive-date=23 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181023202921/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-10-23/federal-govt-energy-policy-save-households-hundreds-of-dollars/10418994 |url-status=live }}

Australian school students were inspired by Greta Thunberg to strike for three days after 28 November,{{cite news |last1=Scott |first1=Elfy |title=Australian Students Are Skipping School For Climate Change |url=https://www.buzzfeed.com/elfyscott/australian-students-are-skipping-school-for-climate-change |access-date=8 December 2018 |work=BuzzFeed |language=en |archive-date=9 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181209165205/https://www.buzzfeed.com/elfyscott/australian-students-are-skipping-school-for-climate-change |url-status=live }} ignoring the call of their Prime minister Scott Morrison who said in the parliament that "what we want is more learning in schools and less activism".{{Cite news |url=https://edition-m.cnn.com/2018/11/30/australia/australia-school-climate-strike-scli-intl/index.html?r=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.co.in%2Fsearch%3Fq%3Dclimate%2Bstrike%2BAustralia%26client%3Ducweb-b%26channel%3Dsb |title=Australian school children defy prime minister with climate strike |date=30 November 2018 |work=CNN |access-date=8 December 2018 |archive-date=10 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240510064034/https://edition.cnn.com/2018/11/30/australia/australia-school-climate-strike-scli-intl/index.html?r=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.co.in%2Fsearch%3Fq%3Dclimate%2Bstrike%2BAustralia%26client%3Ducweb-b%26channel%3Dsb |url-status=live }}

According to the government's 2018 emissions projections report, Australia has already achieved its 2030 emissions reduction target of 26-28% less emissions than in 2005. The government expects Australia will exceed its 2030 target.{{cite news |last1=Cox |first1=Lisa |title=Australia to miss 2030 emissions targets by vast margin, Coalition's projections reveal |url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/dec/21/australia-to-miss-2030-emissions-targets-by-vast-margin-coalitions-projections-reveal |access-date=21 December 2018 |work=The Guardian |date=21 December 2018 |archive-date=10 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240510064034/https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/dec/21/australia-to-miss-2030-emissions-targets-by-vast-margin-coalitions-projections-reveal |url-status=live }}

As of February, the Morrison government announced that it was taking its energy bill to the election, as it would likely be amended to prevent government funding of new coal-fired power stations.{{cite news |last1=Murphy |first1=Katharine |title=Coalition shelves 'big stick' energy bill to avoid anti-coal amendment |url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/feb/14/coalition-shelves-big-stick-energy-bill-to-avoid-anti-coal-amendment |access-date=17 February 2019 |work=The Guardian |date=14 February 2019 |archive-date=10 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240510063433/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/feb/14/coalition-shelves-big-stick-energy-bill-to-avoid-anti-coal-amendment |url-status=live }}

Morrison has allocated $2bn over 10 years to the Abbott government-era Emissions Reduction Fund, renaming it the Climate Solutions Fund.{{cite news |last1=Murphy |first1=Katharine |title=Scott Morrison to reboot Tony Abbott's emissions reduction fund with $2bn |url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/feb/25/scott-morrison-to-reboot-tony-abbotts-emissions-reduction-fund-with-2bn |access-date=28 February 2019 |work=The Guardian |date=24 February 2019 |archive-date=10 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240510064248/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/feb/25/scott-morrison-to-reboot-tony-abbotts-emissions-reduction-fund-with-2bn |url-status=live }} A project that is expected to benefit from the Climate Solutions Fund is the Tasmanian Battery of the Nation hydro-electric project.{{cite news |last1=Parkinson |first1=Giles |title=Morrison's fast-tracking of Tasmania link only makes sense with rapid coal exit |url=https://reneweconomy.com.au/morrisons-fast-tracking-of-tasmania-link-only-makes-sense-with-rapid-coal-exit-49870/ |access-date=5 March 2019 |work=RenewEconomy |date=25 February 2019 |language=en-AU |archive-date=6 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190306042728/https://reneweconomy.com.au/morrisons-fast-tracking-of-tasmania-link-only-makes-sense-with-rapid-coal-exit-49870/ |url-status=live }}

The government has endorsed the Snowy 2.0 hydro-electric project, a proposal of the Turnbull government.{{cite news |last1=Laschon |first1=Eliza |title=Snowy 2.0 gets $1.38 billion and approval for initial work to begin |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-02-26/snowy-2.0-project-approved-for-early-works-stage/10848412 |access-date=5 March 2019 |work=ABC News |date=26 February 2019 |language=en-AU |archive-date=4 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190304160234/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-02-26/snowy-2.0-project-approved-for-early-works-stage/10848412 |url-status=live }}

= Social security =

Morrison changed the age at which Australians can receive the age pension back to 67,{{cite web|url=https://www.9news.com.au/2018/09/05/07/57/pension-age-to-remain-at-67-scott-morrison-cabinet-decision|title='The pension age going to 70? Gone'|website=www.9news.com.au|date=5 September 2018|access-date=16 September 2018|archive-date=16 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180916130505/https://www.9news.com.au/2018/09/05/07/57/pension-age-to-remain-at-67-scott-morrison-cabinet-decision|url-status=live}} from an age of 70, which had been government policy since the 2014 Australian federal budget.{{cite news |title=Scott Morrison scraps plans to raise pension age to 70 |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-09-05/scott-morrison-scraps-plans-to-raise-pension-age-to-70/10202678 |access-date=16 September 2018 |work=ABC News |date=5 September 2018 |language=en-AU |archive-date=18 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180918130714/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-09-05/scott-morrison-scraps-plans-to-raise-pension-age-to-70/10202678 |url-status=live }} In September 2018, the base Newstart rate was raised by $2.20 per week,{{cite news |last1=Henriques-Gomes |first1=Luke |title='Laughable': $2 Newstart increase won't help with cost of living, unemployed say |url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/sep/20/laughable-2-newstart-increase-wont-help-with-cost-of-living-unemployed-say |work=Guardian Australia |date=19 September 2018 |language=en |access-date=20 September 2018 |archive-date=10 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240510064244/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/sep/20/laughable-2-newstart-increase-wont-help-with-cost-of-living-unemployed-say |url-status=live }} but further increases to Newstart have been ruled out by Morrison, who has stated that it is a "very expensive undertaking".{{cite news |last1=Karp |first1=Paul |title=Surprise budget news no reason to 'make whoopee', Morrison says |url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/sep/26/surprise-budget-news-no-reason-to-make-whoopee-morrison-says |access-date=26 September 2018 |work=Guardian Australia |date=26 September 2018 |language=en |archive-date=10 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240510064041/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/sep/26/surprise-budget-news-no-reason-to-make-whoopee-morrison-says |url-status=live }} The Liberal and Labor parties voted for a bill which would enforce a wait of four years before new migrants could receive social security payments.{{cite news |last1=Taylor |first1=Josh |title=People Moving To Australia Will Have To Wait Four Years To Get Welfare After Labor Made A Deal With The Coalition |url=https://www.buzzfeed.com/joshtaylor/new-migrants-will-have-to-wait-four-years-to-get-welfare |access-date=8 December 2018 |work=BuzzFeed |language=en |archive-date=9 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181209124350/https://www.buzzfeed.com/joshtaylor/new-migrants-will-have-to-wait-four-years-to-get-welfare |url-status=live }}

In response to the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, Morrison delivered on 22 October 2018 a National Apology Address in the Australian Parliament to victims of child sexual abuse on behalf of the Australian people, the parliament and his government. He also announced the establishment of a National Redress Scheme for victims of child sexual abuse; an Office of Child Safety within the Department of Social Services; and a National Centre of Excellence to raise awareness and understanding of the impacts of child sexual abuse, to deal with the stigma, to support help seeking and guide best practice for training and other services.{{cite speech |author=Morrison, Scott |author-link=Scott Morrison |title=National Apology Address |date=22 October 2018 |access-date=22 September 2019 |event=Parliament of Australia |publisher=Prime Minister of Australia |location=Canberra |url=https://www.pm.gov.au/media/national-apology-address |archive-date=22 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190922142155/https://www.pm.gov.au/media/national-apology-address |url-status=live }}

= Aged care and disability =

{{See also|Aged care in Australia|National Disability Insurance Scheme}}

Morrison brought forward aged care funding by $90 million, mainly focusing on regional areas.{{cite web|url=https://www.agedcare101.com.au/the-donaldson-sisters/government-rushes-through-90-million-in-aged-care-funding-but-more-needed-to-solve-staffing-and-funding-issues/|title=Government rushes through $90 million in aged care funding – but more needed to solve staffing and funding issues|work=Aged Care 101|date=14 September 2018|access-date=5 April 2019|archive-date=21 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181021234123/https://www.agedcare101.com.au/the-donaldson-sisters/government-rushes-through-90-million-in-aged-care-funding-but-more-needed-to-solve-staffing-and-funding-issues/|url-status=live}}

On 16 September 2018, Morrison revealed that a royal commission would be held into aged care facilities, focusing on the quality of care in residential, home and community aged care.{{cite news |last1=Hutchens |first1=Gareth |title=Morrison to announce royal commission into aged care after string of scandals |url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/sep/16/morrison-to-announce-royal-commission-into-aged-care-after-string-of-scandals |access-date=16 September 2018 |work=Guardian Australia |date=16 September 2018 |language=en |archive-date=10 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240510064042/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/sep/16/morrison-to-announce-royal-commission-into-aged-care-after-string-of-scandals |url-status=live }}{{cite press release |url=https://www.pm.gov.au/media/royal-commission-aged-care-quality-and-safety |title=Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety |date=16 September 2018 |publisher=Prime Minister of Australia |access-date=16 September 2018 |archive-date=16 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180916163955/https://www.pm.gov.au/media/royal-commission-aged-care-quality-and-safety |url-status=live }} On 5 April 2019, Morrison announced another commission, this time to examine violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation within the disability sector. The commission is headed by former Federal Court judge Ronald Sackville and will last for three years. Morrison was emotional at the announcement of the commission, paying tribute to his brother-in-law who has multiple sclerosis.{{cite web|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-04-05/scott-morrison-officially-calls-a-disability-royal-commissions/10973652|title=Scott Morrison gets emotional as he announces $527 million disability royal commission|work=ABC News|date=5 April 2019|access-date=7 April 2019|archive-date=7 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190407002635/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-04-05/scott-morrison-officially-calls-a-disability-royal-commissions/10973652|url-status=live}} The announcement was met with praise from Labor leader Bill Shorten, whose party had supported the idea in the past, as well as from Greens senator Jordon Steele-John, who had spent the previous year agitating for the government to support the policy and had heckled the government on the floor of the House of Representatives earlier in the year when it rejected holding a vote on a commission.{{cite web|url=https://www.sbs.com.au/news/senator-jordon-steele-john-accuses-pm-of-not-treating-him-as-equal|title=Senator Jordon Steele-John accuses PM of not treating him as 'equal'|work=SBS News|date=5 April 2019|access-date=5 April 2019|archive-date=5 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190405125107/https://www.sbs.com.au/news/senator-jordon-steele-john-accuses-pm-of-not-treating-him-as-equal|url-status=live}} In relation to disability funding, the government announced price increases of up to 22 per cent for NDIS service providers, though it was criticised for a $1.6 billion under-spend on the scheme in the budget. Labor argued the under-spend was due to the government's desire for a surplus budget, though the government countered that by arguing no one who needed care would be neglected and that the scheme was responding to actual demand.{{cite web|url=https://www.afr.com/news/politics/national/ndis-underspend-to-be-1-6b-20190331-p519am|title=NDIS underspend to be $1.6b|work=Australian Financial Review|date=31 March 2019}}

= Food safety =

In response to the 2018 Australian strawberry contamination, Morrison announced an increase in the maximum jail term for the federal offence relating to contaminating food from 10 to 15 years.{{cite news |title=Prime Minister announces new penalties for fruit tampering 'grubs' |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-09-19/strawberry-needle-scare-new-penalties/10281838 |access-date=19 September 2018 |work=ABC News |date=19 September 2018 |language=en-AU |archive-date=19 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180919171109/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-09-19/strawberry-needle-scare-new-penalties/10281838 |url-status=live }} However, when a woman was arrested for the crime, she was charged under the Queensland Criminal Code.{{cite news|url=https://www.news.com.au/national/queensland/police-arrest-woman-over-strawberry-contamination/news-story/fbe4e890572060b129c6c100a2fcca62|title=Woman faces court over strawberry contamination|first=Shireen|last=Khalil|work=news.com.au|date=15 November 2018|access-date=1 December 2018|archive-date=14 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181114214105/https://www.news.com.au/national/queensland/police-arrest-woman-over-strawberry-contamination/news-story/fbe4e890572060b129c6c100a2fcca62|url-status=live}}

= Education =

The method of funding non-government schools was changed from using census data to using parental tax information; to take effect in 2020.{{cite news |title=Private schools to gain billions under new parental-income funding model |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-09-20/catholic-independent-schools-new-parental-income-funding-model/10285554 |access-date=20 September 2018 |work=ABC News |date=20 September 2018 |language=en-AU |archive-date=20 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180920181947/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-09-20/catholic-independent-schools-new-parental-income-funding-model/10285554 |url-status=live }} On 20 September, Morrison announced a $4.6 billion funding deal over 10 years starting from 2020 for Catholic and Independent schools as a peace deal with two non-government sectors, after they bitterly opposed the Coalition's 2017 school funding changes. The agreement was seen as controversial to some including Labor and the Australian Education Union, who cited the fact that it did nothing for public schools.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/sep/20/catholic-and-independent-schools-given-extra-46bn-in-funding-peace-deal|title=Catholic and independent schools given extra $4.6bn in funding peace deal|first=Paul|last=Karp|date=20 September 2018|website=the Guardian|access-date=23 November 2018|archive-date=10 May 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240510064759/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/sep/20/catholic-and-independent-schools-given-extra-46bn-in-funding-peace-deal|url-status=live}}

The National School Chaplaincy Programme, following the extension of its funding confirmed during the 2018 federal budget, will be the subject of a new agreement between the states and the commonwealth, requiring complaints against chaplains to be centrally recorded.{{cite news |last1=Karp |first1=Paul |title=Government orders states to maintain complaints register for school chaplains |url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/dec/01/government-orders-states-to-maintain-complaints-register-for-school-chaplains |access-date=1 December 2018 |work=the Guardian |date=1 December 2018 |language=en |archive-date=10 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240510064839/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/dec/01/government-orders-states-to-maintain-complaints-register-for-school-chaplains |url-status=live }}

= Indigenous affairs =

Senator Nigel Scullion carried on as the Coalition's Minister for Indigenous Affairs in the Morrison government, and in a conciliatory move by Morrison, the former Prime Minister Tony Abbott was appointed the Prime Minister's Special Envoy on Indigenous Affairs, with a brief to focus on school attendance and performance. After initial scepticism, Abbott accepted the role.{{cite news |title=PM offers Tony Abbott special envoy for indigenous affairs role |url=https://www.9news.com.au/2018/08/27/08/11/scott-morrison-tony-abbott-indigenous-affairs-barnaby-joyce-politics |access-date=26 September 2018 |work=www.9news.com.au |archive-date=26 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180926052023/https://www.9news.com.au/2018/08/27/08/11/scott-morrison-tony-abbott-indigenous-affairs-barnaby-joyce-politics |url-status=live }}{{cite news |author1=Australian Associated Press |title=Tony Abbott accepts job as special envoy on Indigenous affairs |url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/aug/29/tony-abbott-accepts-job-as-special-envoy-on-indigenous-affairs |work=the Guardian |date=29 August 2018 |language=en |access-date=26 September 2018 |archive-date=22 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220522232037/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/aug/29/tony-abbott-accepts-job-as-special-envoy-on-indigenous-affairs |url-status=live }}

;Remote education

Abbott presented his first report to Parliament as Special Envoy in December.{{Cite web |title=Tony Abbott calls for parent fines to boost Indigenous school attendance |url=https://www.sbs.com.au/nitv/article/tony-abbott-calls-for-parent-fines-to-boost-indigenous-school-attendance/3w244o760 |access-date=2023-02-15 |website=NITV |language=en |archive-date=7 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230407034557/https://www.sbs.com.au/nitv/article/tony-abbott-calls-for-parent-fines-to-boost-indigenous-school-attendance/3w244o760 |url-status=live }} He recommended increasing substantially the salary supplements and the retention bonuses for teachers in very remote areas; waiving HECS debt of longer term teachers in very remote schools; incentives for communities to adopt debit card arrangements; an extension of the Remote School Attendance Strategy, with more local school buy-in and engagement; extension of the Good to Great Schools program that has reintroduced phonics and disciplined learning for further evaluation and emulation; and that the government should match the Australian Indigenous Education Foundation's private and philanthropic funding on an ongoing basis.[http://tonyabbott.com.au/2018/12/indigenous-uplift-begins-class-heres-canberra-can-help/ INDIGENOUS UPLIFT BEGINS IN CLASS: HERE’S HOW CANBERRA CAN HELP] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220629164851/https://tonyabbott.com.au/2018/12/indigenous-uplift-begins-class-heres-canberra-can-help/ |date=29 June 2022 }}; first published in The Australian; 8 December 2018

;Australia Day

Morrison criticised Byron Shire Council for moving its citizenship ceremonies from Australia Day, rejecting calls to change the date of Australia Day and proposing a new national day to recognise Indigenous Australians.{{cite news |last1=Wahlquist |first1=Calla |title=Scott Morrison calls for new national day to recognise Indigenous people |url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/sep/25/scott-morrison-calls-for-new-national-day-to-recognise-indigenous-people |access-date=26 September 2018 |work=the Guardian |date=24 September 2018 |language=en |archive-date=9 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109025402/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/sep/25/scott-morrison-calls-for-new-national-day-to-recognise-indigenous-people |url-status=live }}

In January 2019, the Morrison government made changes to the Australian Citizenship Ceremonies Code, requiring councils to hold the ceremonies on Australia Day or be stripped entirely of their rights to hold citizenship ceremonies.{{Cite news |last=Zhou |first=Naaman |date=2019-01-13 |title=Scott Morrison says he is 'prime minister for standards' after unveiling Australia Day plan |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/jan/13/scott-morrison-forces-councils-to-hold-citizenship-ceremonies-on-australia-day |access-date=2023-02-15 |issn=0261-3077 |archive-date=7 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201107231158/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/jan/13/scott-morrison-forces-councils-to-hold-citizenship-ceremonies-on-australia-day |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=2019-01-13 |title=Scott Morrison pushes to make citizenship ceremonies compulsory on Australia Day |url=https://www.smh.com.au/national/scott-morrison-pushes-to-make-citizenship-ceremonies-compulsory-on-australia-day-20190113-p50r2o.html |access-date=2023-02-15 |website=The Sydney Morning Herald |language=en |archive-date=27 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230127111104/https://www.smh.com.au/national/scott-morrison-pushes-to-make-citizenship-ceremonies-compulsory-on-australia-day-20190113-p50r2o.html |url-status=live }} These changes were later overturned by the Labor Albanese government in late 2022.

; Uluru Statement and Indigenous voice to government

Morrison has rejected the Uluru Statement from the Heart, characterising the recommended "Indigenous voice to Parliament" as a third chamber.{{cite news |last1=Karp |first1=Paul |title=Scott Morrison claims Indigenous voice to parliament would be a third chamber |url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/sep/26/scott-morrison-claims-indigenous-voice-to-parliament-would-be-a-third-chamber |access-date=26 September 2018 |work=the Guardian |date=25 September 2018 |language=en |archive-date=10 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240510064749/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/sep/26/scott-morrison-claims-indigenous-voice-to-parliament-would-be-a-third-chamber |url-status=live }}

However, on 30 October 2019, Ken Wyatt {{post-nominals|country=AUS|sep=,|size=100%|AM}}, Minister for Indigenous Australians, announced the commencement of a "co-design process" aimed at providing an Indigenous voice to government. The Senior Advisory Group (SAG) is co-chaired by Professor Tom Calma {{post-nominals|country=AUS|AO}}, Chancellor of the University of Canberra, and Professor Dr Marcia Langton, Associate Provost at the University of Melbourne, and comprises a total of 20 leaders and experts from across the country.{{cite web | title=A voice for Indigenous Australians | website=Ministers Media Centre | url=https://ministers.pmc.gov.au/wyatt/2019/voice-indigenous-australians | date=30 October 2019 | access-date=18 July 2020 | archive-date=1 August 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200801200624/https://ministers.pmc.gov.au/wyatt/2019/voice-indigenous-australians | url-status=live }} There was some skepticism about the process from the beginning, with the criticism that it did not honour the Uluru Statement from the Heart{{'}}s plea to "walk with us in a movement of the Australian people for a better future".{{cite web | last=Synot | first=Eddie | title=Ken Wyatt's proposed 'voice to government' marks another failure to hear Indigenous voices | website=The Conversation | date=30 October 2019 | url=http://theconversation.com/ken-wyatts-proposed-voice-to-government-marks-another-failure-to-hear-indigenous-voices-126103 | access-date=2 February 2020 | archive-date=2 February 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200202053615/http://theconversation.com/ken-wyatts-proposed-voice-to-government-marks-another-failure-to-hear-indigenous-voices-126103 | url-status=live }} According to Michelle Grattan, "...it is notable that it is calling it a 'voice to government' rather than a 'voice to parliament' ". Morrison rejected the proposal for a voice to parliament to be put into the Australian constitution; instead, the voice will be enshrined in legislation. The government also said it would run a referendum during its present term about recognising Indigenous people in the constitution "should a consensus be reached and should it be likely to succeed".{{cite web | last=Grattan | first=Michelle | title=Proposed Indigenous 'voice' will be to government rather than to parliament | website=The Conversation | date=29 October 2019 | url=http://theconversation.com/proposed-indigenous-voice-will-be-to-government-rather-than-to-parliament-126031 | access-date=18 July 2020 | archive-date=18 July 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200718064611/https://theconversation.com/proposed-indigenous-voice-will-be-to-government-rather-than-to-parliament-126031 | url-status=live }}

= Media =

The government announced an inquiry into the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, following the sacking of managing director Michelle Guthrie and reports that Guthrie had resisted a call from ABC Chair Justin Milne to fire journalist Emma Alberici.{{cite news |last1=McGowan |first1=Michael |title=Government announces inquiry into ABC turmoil – live |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/live/2018/sep/26/abc-crisis-justin-milne-calls-resign-michelle-guthrie-coalition-live?page=with:block-5bab2e30e4b0a9b970679b2e#block-5bab2e30e4b0a9b970679b2e |access-date=26 September 2018 |work=The Guardian |date=26 September 2018 |archive-date=10 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240510064751/https://www.theguardian.com/media/live/2018/sep/26/abc-crisis-justin-milne-calls-resign-michelle-guthrie-coalition-live?page=with:block-5bab2e30e4b0a9b970679b2e#block-5bab2e30e4b0a9b970679b2e |url-status=live }} Milne was replaced by Ita Buttrose.{{cite news |last1=Jeffery |first1=Yasmin |title=How Ita Buttrose became the new ABC chair |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-02-28/ita-buttrose-abc-chair-announcement-who-is-media-veteran/10855214 |access-date=13 March 2019 |work=ABC News |date=28 February 2019 |language=en-AU |archive-date=3 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190303175924/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-02-28/ita-buttrose-abc-chair-announcement-who-is-media-veteran/10855214 |url-status=live }}

= Commonwealth Integrity Commission =

In December, the Morrison government proposed a national integrity commission framework.{{cite news |last1=Remeikis |first1=Amy |last2=Knaus |first2=Christopher |title=Morrison government announces new federal anti-corruption commission |url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/dec/13/morrison-government-announces-new-federal-anti-corruption-commission |access-date=14 December 2018 |work=The Guardian |date=13 December 2018 |archive-date=10 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240510064756/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/dec/13/morrison-government-announces-new-federal-anti-corruption-commission |url-status=live }} The previous August, Griffith University researchers had laid out a plan for a Commonwealth Integrity Commission,{{cite news |last1=Knaus |first1=Christopher |title=Overwhelming majority of Australians believe federal politicians are corrupt |url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/aug/21/overwhelming-majority-of-australians-believe-federal-politicians-are-corrupt |access-date=14 December 2018 |work=The Guardian |date=21 August 2018 |archive-date=10 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240510064627/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/aug/21/overwhelming-majority-of-australians-believe-federal-politicians-are-corrupt |url-status=live }} and Attorney-General Christian Porter had been working on adapting the Australian Commission for Law Enforcement Integrity into an anti-corruption watchdog in the Turnbull government. The framework has been criticised for its narrow remit and the decision not to allow public hearings, and not being allowed to take tip-offs, as well as the high burden of proof needed before an investigation can take place.{{cite news |last1=Knaus |first1=Christopher |title=Coalition's plan for anti-corruption body a 'sham' set up to protect MPs, former judge says |url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/jan/24/coalitions-plan-for-anti-corruption-body-a-sham-set-up-to-protect-mps-former-judge-says |access-date=23 January 2019 |work=The Guardian |date=23 January 2019 |archive-date=10 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240510064801/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/jan/24/coalitions-plan-for-anti-corruption-body-a-sham-set-up-to-protect-mps-former-judge-says |url-status=live }}

The Morrison government tabled an exposure draft in 2020,{{cite web |title=Commonwealth Integrity Commission Bill – Exposure Draft |url=https://www.ag.gov.au/integrity/publications/commonwealth-integrity-commission-bill-exposure-draft |website=Attorney-General's Department |access-date=24 May 2022 |language=en |archive-date=24 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220524024227/https://www.ag.gov.au/integrity/publications/commonwealth-integrity-commission-bill-exposure-draft |url-status=live }} but insisted that Labor would have to support it before the government brought it to a vote. The CIC was not part of the Morrison government's agenda during the 2022 election campaign.{{cite news |title=Scott Morrison effectively ditches his promise to establish a federal anti-corruption commission |url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2022/apr/13/scott-morrison-effectively-ditches-his-promise-to-establish-a-federal-anti-corruption-commission |access-date=22 May 2022 |work=the Guardian |date=13 April 2022 |language=en |archive-date=10 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240510065305/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2022/apr/13/scott-morrison-effectively-ditches-his-promise-to-establish-a-federal-anti-corruption-commission |url-status=live }}

= Environment =

Algal blooms caused the death of over 10,000 fish in the Darling River just before Christmas 2018.{{cite news |last1=Tomevska |first1=Sara |title='The water is absolutely putrid': 10,000 fish dead in Darling River as water quality declines |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-12-20/ten-thousand-fish-dead-as-darling-river-water-quality-worsens/10635730 |access-date=14 January 2019 |work=ABC News |date=20 December 2018 |language=en-AU |archive-date=13 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190113190436/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-12-20/ten-thousand-fish-dead-as-darling-river-water-quality-worsens/10635730 |url-status=live }} A second fish kill event happened in January, near the Menindee Lakes, which are a critical breeding ground for fish throughout the Murray-Darling.{{cite news |last1=Davies |first1=Anne |title=Hundreds of thousands of native fish dead in second Murray-Darling incident |url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/jan/07/hundreds-of-thousands-of-native-fish-dead-in-second-murray-darling-incident |access-date=14 January 2019 |work=The Guardian |date=7 January 2019 |archive-date=10 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240510065327/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/jan/07/hundreds-of-thousands-of-native-fish-dead-in-second-murray-darling-incident |url-status=live }} A report by the Productivity Commission was released in January 2019 that said that the Murray-Darling Basin Authority should be broken up.{{cite news |last1=Knaus |first1=Christopher |title=Murray-Darling Basin Authority should be broken up, 'damning' report finds |url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/jan/25/murray-darling-basin-authority-should-be-broken-up-to-protect-system-review-finds?CMP=soc_567 |access-date=27 January 2019 |work=The Guardian |date=25 January 2019 |archive-date=10 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240510065129/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/jan/25/murray-darling-basin-authority-should-be-broken-up-to-protect-system-review-finds?CMP=soc_567 |url-status=live }} A third fish kill event occurred at the Menindee Lakes in late January. NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian attributed the fish kills to the weather.{{cite news |last1=Davies |first1=Anne |last2=Martin |first2=Lisa |title=Menindee fish kill: another mass death on Darling River 'worse than last time' |url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/jan/28/menindee-fish-kill-another-mass-death-on-darling-river-worse-than-last-time |access-date=28 January 2019 |work=Guardian Australia |date=27 January 2019 |archive-date=10 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240510065333/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/jan/28/menindee-fish-kill-another-mass-death-on-darling-river-worse-than-last-time |url-status=live }}

During the 2018–2019 summer season, there were also bushfires in Tasmania's heritage-listed areas and the 2019 Townsville flood. Melissa Price, the Minister for the Environment, was criticised as being absent from announcements made by Morrison, McCormack and David Littleproud on these events.{{cite news |last1=Cox |first1=Lisa |title='The invisible minister': Melissa Price accused of going missing on the environment |url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/feb/16/the-invisible-minister-melissa-price-accused-of-going-missing-on-the-environment |access-date=15 February 2019 |work=Guardian Australia |date=15 February 2019 |archive-date=10 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240510065056/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/feb/16/the-invisible-minister-melissa-price-accused-of-going-missing-on-the-environment |url-status=live }}

== Drought assistance ==

As Morrison took office, much of eastern Australia was suffering severe drought. In a politically conciliatory move, he appointed former National Leader Barnaby Joyce as a Special Envoy for drought assistance and recovery.[https://www.theland.com.au/story/5611221/barnaby-joyce-promoted-to-govts-go-to-man-for-drought/ Barnaby Joyce appointed Special Envoy for drought assistance and recovery] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181209123953/https://www.theland.com.au/story/5611221/barnaby-joyce-promoted-to-govts-go-to-man-for-drought/ |date=9 December 2018 }}; 28 Aug 2018[https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-08-30/what-will-barnaby-joyce-and-tony-abbott-do-as-special-envoys/10179238 What do special envoys do and why have Barnaby Joyce and Tony Abbott been given the job?] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181208213256/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-08-30/what-will-barnaby-joyce-and-tony-abbott-do-as-special-envoys/10179238 |date=8 December 2018 }}; www.abc.net.au; 30 Aug 2018 The cost of the special envoyship was $675,000 in total expenses. Joyce produced no reports as a result of his role, saying that he had texted the Prime Minister. Freedom of information requests for these texts have been denied by the PMO.{{cite news |title=Barnaby Joyce's drought envoy texts not 'documents of a minister', prime minister's office claims |url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2022/may/17/barnaby-joyces-drought-envoy-texts-not-documents-of-a-minister-prime-ministers-office-claims |access-date=17 May 2022 |work=the Guardian |date=17 May 2022 |language=en |archive-date=10 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240510065253/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2022/may/17/barnaby-joyces-drought-envoy-texts-not-documents-of-a-minister-prime-ministers-office-claims |url-status=live }}

In October 2018, Morrison announced a drought assistance package, the Drought Future Fund, of $5 billion. The Drought Future Fund is intended to operate similarly to the Medical Futures Fund. However, the Drought Future Fund drew criticism from disability advocates, as $3.9 billion of the package's funding was drawn from money earmarked for the National Disability Insurance Scheme.{{cite news |last1=McCauley |first1=Dana |title=NDIS funds to be 'repurposed' for drought relief under Morrison plan |url=https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/ndis-funds-to-be-repurposed-for-drought-relief-under-morrison-plan-20181026-p50c5k.html |access-date=9 December 2018 |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |date=26 October 2018 |language=en |archive-date=15 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181115213559/https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/ndis-funds-to-be-repurposed-for-drought-relief-under-morrison-plan-20181026-p50c5k.html |url-status=live }}

= Land-clearing inquiry =

The Morrison government announced an inquiry into land-clearing laws following the Queensland bushfires. The Queensland Government had introduced laws against broad-scale land-clearing in May 2018, and David Littleproud said "If Queensland’s laws are locking up agriculture’s potential and making fires worse, we need to know about it".{{cite news |title=Queensland bushfires: Palaszczuk blasts Morrison government over land-clearing inquiry |url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/dec/07/queensland-bushfires-palaszczuk-blasts-morrison-government-over-land-clearing-inquiry |access-date=7 December 2018 |work=Guardian Australia |date=7 December 2018 |archive-date=10 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240510065859/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/dec/07/queensland-bushfires-palaszczuk-blasts-morrison-government-over-land-clearing-inquiry |url-status=live }}

= {{anchor|Medevac}}Medical transfer of refugees =

On 12 February 2019, the Morrison government suffered the first substantive defeat on the floor of the House of Representatives since 1929, after the Labor Party and several cross-benchers supported amendments to the Home Affairs Legislation Amendment (Miscellaneous Measures) Bill 2018 (the Home Affairs Bill) proposed by the Senate. The proposed amendments would give greater weight to medical opinion in allowing the medical evacuation of asylum seekers to Australia from Nauru and Manus Island. Further amendments followed negotiations between the Opposition and the House of Reps cross-bench members, before the Senate considered and agreed to the amendments to its original amendments on the following day, 13 February.{{cite journal|title=Government defeat in the House of Representatives on 12 February 2019|url=https://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/download/library/prspub/6511591/upload_binary/6511591.pdf;file|series=Flagpost: Information and research from the Parliamentary Library|first=Michael|last=Sloane|date=20 February 2019|format=PDF|access-date=3 March 2019|archive-date=3 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190303043553/https://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/download/library/prspub/6511591/upload_binary/6511591.pdf;file|url-status=live}} The amended legislation, which affected three laws, being the Migration Act 1958, the Customs Act 1901 and the Passenger Movement Charge Collection Act 1978,{{cite web | title=Home Affairs Legislation Amendment (Miscellaneous Measures) Bill 2018 | website=Parliament of Australia | date=17 May 2018 | url=https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/bd/bd1718a/18bd112 | access-date=11 February 2020 | archive-date=19 May 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190519043310/https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/bd/bd1718a/18bd112 | url-status=live }} became known as "the Medevac Bill", before being passed in the House by 75 votes to 74 and passed in the Senate by 36 votes to 34.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/feb/12/scott-morrison-suffers-historic-defeat-as-labor-and-crossbench-pass-medevac-bill|title=Scott Morrison suffers historic defeat as Labor and crossbench pass medevac bill|first1=Katharine|last1=Murphy|first2=Paul|last2=Karp|work=The Guardian|date=13 February 2019|access-date=13 February 2019|archive-date=10 May 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240510065829/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/feb/12/scott-morrison-suffers-historic-defeat-as-labor-and-crossbench-pass-medevac-bill|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.sbs.com.au/news/shorten-can-t-be-trusted-on-borders-morrison-s-fury-after-losing-asylum-medivac-vote|title='Shorten can't be trusted on borders': Morrison's fury after losing asylum medivac vote|work=SBS News|date=13 February 2019|access-date=14 February 2019|archive-date=10 May 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240510065629/https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/shorten-cant-be-trusted-on-borders-morrisons-fury-after-losing-asylum-medivac-vote/f96bkzdlx|url-status=live}}{{cite journal|url=https://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/download/legislation/bills/r6069_aspassed/toc_pdf/18045b01.pdf;file|format=PDF|title=Home Affairs Legislation Amendment(Miscellaneous Measures) Bill 2019. No., 2019A: Bill for an Act to amend the law relating to migration, custom sand passenger movement charge, and for related purposes (as passed by both houses)|author=The Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia. House of Representatives|date=13 February 2019|access-date=3 March 2019|archive-date=3 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190303045254/https://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/download/legislation/bills/r6069_aspassed/toc_pdf/18045b01.pdf;file|url-status=live}}

In response to the bill passing into law, Morrison announced the re-opening of the Christmas Island detention centre,{{cite web |last1=Grattan |first1=Michelle |title=Grattan on Friday: What does "reopening" Christmas Island actually mean and why do it? |url=https://theconversation.com/grattan-on-friday-what-does-reopening-christmas-island-actually-mean-and-why-do-it-111866 |website=The Conversation |date=14 February 2019 |access-date=16 February 2019 |language=en |archive-date=15 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190215175429/https://theconversation.com/grattan-on-friday-what-does-reopening-christmas-island-actually-mean-and-why-do-it-111866 |url-status=live }} intimating that this change in the law would provide the signal that people smugglers to begin operating again. In the days following, Dutton said that because of this change in the law, Australians on waiting lists for hospital treatment and those already in public housing were going to be adversely affected.{{cite journal |journal=The Saturday Paper |first=Robert |last=Manne |author-link=Robert Manne |url=https://www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/opinion/topic/2019/03/02/the-myth-the-great-wave/15514452007565 |title=The myth of the great wave |date=2 March 2018 |issue=242 |access-date=3 March 2019 |archive-date=3 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190303011010/https://www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/opinion/topic/2019/03/02/the-myth-the-great-wave/15514452007565 |url-status=live }} This was seen by Robert Manne as a turning point in Labor Party policy, after having had almost identical asylum seeker policies as the Coalition for the past five years. He also pointed out the numerous obstacles any potential people-smuggler or asylum seeker would have to face, because the deterrent aspects of the policy were still firmly in place, and the new legislation applied only to the approximately 1,000 people still on Nauru and Manus (of whom only a relatively small number will be allowed to access the urgent medical attention they need).

However, the 2018 ruling was overturned in December 2019, after 37 votes to 35 supported the government's move to repeal the law.{{cite web | last=Martin | first=Sarah | title=Medevac repeal bill passes after Jacqui Lambie makes 'secret deal' with Coalition | website=the Guardian | date=4 December 2019 | url=http://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/dec/04/medevac-repeal-bill-passes-after-jacqui-lambie-makes-secret-deal-with-coalition | access-date=11 February 2020 | archive-date=10 May 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240510065605/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/dec/04/medevac-repeal-bill-passes-after-jacqui-lambie-makes-secret-deal-with-coalition | url-status=live }}

= Uranium mine =

Just prior to the federal election, Melissa Price approved the Yeelirrie uranium mine north of Kalgoorlie. Traditional owners challenged the former Barnett government's approval for the mine in court.{{cite news |last1=Slezak |first1=Michael |title=Controversial uranium mine approved day before election called |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-04-26/government-approved-uranium-mine-day-before-election/11047252 |access-date=25 April 2019 |work=ABC News |date=26 April 2019 |language=en-AU |archive-date=26 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190426132037/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-04-26/government-approved-uranium-mine-day-before-election/11047252 |url-status=live }}

= Final pre-selections for 2019 election =

In November, reports emerged that the "moderate faction" of the NSW Liberal Party had relegated Liberal Senator Jim Molan to an "unwinnable" fourth position on the NSW Senate ticket, and were moving to dump conservative NSW MP Craig Kelly – a three term MP with a 9% margin in his electorate.[https://www.skynews.com.au/details/_5971561656001 Factions will 'boot' Craig Kelly out: Ruddick] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181209123732/https://www.skynews.com.au/details/_5971561656001 |date=9 December 2018 }}; www.skynews.com.au; 26/11/2018[https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-12-03/craig-kelly-why-scott-morrison-saved-conservative-liberal/10577426 Five things to know about Craig Kelly, the conservative Liberal backbencher saved by Scott Morrison] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181203105535/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-12-03/craig-kelly-why-scott-morrison-saved-conservative-liberal/10577426 |date=3 December 2018 }}; abc.net.au The Australian's foreign editor Greg Sheridan called the move against Molan an act of "self-mutilation" against "the most capable, the best-known and the most impressive backbench senator in Australia".[https://www.theaustralian.com.au/opinion/columnists/greg-sheridan/liberal-machine-burns-its-best-and-brightest/news-story/0f7390b6b0931f19a12b86ae07a6337d Liberal machine burns its best and brightest]; www.theaustralian.com.au; 28 November 2018 {{subscription required}} {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211127100823/https://www.theaustralian.com.au/opinion/columnists/greg-sheridan/liberal-machine-burns-its-best-and-brightest/news-story/0f7390b6b0931f19a12b86ae07a6337d |date=27 November 2021 }} Journalist Michelle Grattan described Kelly as "all over the place in his comments", comparing media reports of Kelly's comments to branch members as reported by the ABC, and an interview with Sky News.{{cite news |last1=Grattan |first1=Michelle |title=View from The Hill: Craig Kelly triumphs in the 'outwit, outplay, outlast' game of Survivor |url=https://theconversation.com/view-from-the-hill-craig-kelly-triumphs-in-the-outwit-outplay-outlast-game-of-survivor-108097 |access-date=9 December 2018 |work=The Conversation |date=3 December 2018 |language=en |archive-date=4 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181204195119/https://theconversation.com/view-from-the-hill-craig-kelly-triumphs-in-the-outwit-outplay-outlast-game-of-survivor-108097 |url-status=live }} Kelly indicated he might run as an independent if the Party dis-endorsed him,[https://www.news.com.au/national/politics/craig-kelly-is-planning-to-quit-the-liberal-party-and-run-as-an-independent/news-story/e3445393a099bb2144bff77b40268444 Craig Kelly is planning to quit the Liberal Party and run as an independent] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181203095117/https://www.news.com.au/national/politics/craig-kelly-is-planning-to-quit-the-liberal-party-and-run-as-an-independent/news-story/e3445393a099bb2144bff77b40268444 |date=3 December 2018 }}; news.com.au; 29 Nov 2018{{cite news |last1=Murphy |first1=Katharine |last2=Davies |first2=Anne |title=NSW party bows to Morrison pressure to save Craig Kelly from preselection |url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/dec/03/nsw-party-bows-to-morrison-pressure-to-save-craig-kelly-from-preselection |access-date=3 December 2018 |work=the Guardian |date=3 December 2018 |language=en |archive-date=10 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240510065629/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/dec/03/nsw-party-bows-to-morrison-pressure-to-save-craig-kelly-from-preselection |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last1=Koziol |first1=Michael |title=Craig Kelly planning to quit the Liberal Party as government braces for more defections |url=https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/craig-kelly-planning-to-quit-the-liberal-party-as-government-braces-for-more-defections-20181128-p50iyk.html |access-date=8 December 2018 |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |date=28 November 2018 |language=en |archive-date=28 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181128092712/https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/craig-kelly-planning-to-quit-the-liberal-party-as-government-braces-for-more-defections-20181128-p50iyk.html |url-status=live }} and Kent Johns was offered a $350,000 six-month job to withdraw from the preselection race by the president of Morrison's federal electoral conference.{{cite news |last1=Koziol |first1=Michael |title=Scott Morrison's fixer offered Craig Kelly's challenger a $350,000 party job to drop out |url=https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/scott-morrison-s-fixer-offered-craig-kelly-s-challenger-a-350-000-party-job-to-drop-out-20181219-p50n7j.html |access-date=27 December 2018 |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |date=20 December 2018 |language=en |archive-date=27 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181227152223/https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/scott-morrison-s-fixer-offered-craig-kelly-s-challenger-a-350-000-party-job-to-drop-out-20181219-p50n7j.html |url-status=live }}

When Morrison moved to head off the factional dispute over Kelly and others by using state executive powers to automatically endorse sitting members, Turnbull launched a failed intervention to prevent the outcome, hoping Kelly, a Dutton backer, would be ousted.{{cite news |last1=Shields |first1=Bevan |title='Worst and weakest response': Malcolm Turnbull intervenes to kill Craig Kelly peace deal |url=https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/worst-and-weakest-response-malcolm-turnbull-intervenes-to-kill-craig-kelly-peace-deal-20181202-p50jr6.html |access-date=2 December 2018 |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |date=2 December 2018 |language=en |archive-date=2 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181202143449/https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/worst-and-weakest-response-malcolm-turnbull-intervenes-to-kill-craig-kelly-peace-deal-20181202-p50jr6.html |url-status=live }} Turnbull had approved a similar move by the Victorian state executive in July.{{cite news |title=Trent Zimmerman on NSW re-endorsement |url=https://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/drive/trent-zimmerman-on-nsw-re-endorsement/10578762 |access-date=3 December 2018 |work=RN Drive |agency=ABC News |date=3 December 2018 |language=en |archive-date=9 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210809075856/https://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/drive/trent-zimmerman-on-nsw-re-endorsement/10578762 |url-status=live }} He had also previously personally endorsed Kelly himself, but dismissed comparisons to his own intervention to save Kelly in 2016, citing recent campaigns in NSW to allow grassroots members more say in pre-selection contests as the reason for his intervention against Kelly this time.

When news of Turnbull lobbying against Kelly became public, Liberal MP Trent Zimmerman said that Turnbull's intervention "meant that it became an issue about the Prime Minister's authority, and that swung the dial in favour of acceding to the request the Prime Minister had made of the Executive". Moderate members of the NSW branch agreed to abstain from a vote, effectively allowing Kelly and other sitting members such as Jason Falinski, John Alexander and Lucy Wicks to be re-selected.

Journalists Michelle Grattan and Patricia Karvelas criticised the intervention for Kelly. Grattan wrote there had been no intervention in favour of moderate female candidate Jane Prentice, who had been an assistant minister.{{cite news |last1=Grattan |first1=Michelle |title=View from The Hill: Craig Kelly triumphs in the 'outwit, outplay, outlast' game of Survivor |url=https://theconversation.com/view-from-the-hill-craig-kelly-triumphs-in-the-outwit-outplay-outlast-game-of-survivor-108097 |access-date=3 December 2018 |work=The Conversation |language=en |archive-date=4 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181204010048/https://theconversation.com/view-from-the-hill-craig-kelly-triumphs-in-the-outwit-outplay-outlast-game-of-survivor-108097 |url-status=live }} Karvelas wrote that it was extraordinary the party would intervene to "save a bloke" when "women MPs like Jane Prentice and Ann Sudmalis are not afforded the same intervention to stay on in Parliament when faced with preselection challenges."{{cite news |title=This bitter fight sends one message to voters: the government only talks about itself |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-12-03/morrison-proxy-war-bigger-power-tussle/10577502 |access-date=3 December 2018 |work=ABC News |date=3 December 2018 |language=en-AU |archive-date=3 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181203105526/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-12-03/morrison-proxy-war-bigger-power-tussle/10577502 |url-status=live }} Zimmerman dismissed the comparison in an interview with Karvelas on ABC Radio, saying Sudmalis had quit, while Prentice's preselection had occurred prior to the instability occasioned by the departure of Turnbull. Despite being expected to win preselection, and being asked to remain by Morrison, Sudmalis had quit as a candidate for her marginal electorate following the removal of Turnbull as leader, citing grievances with the NSW division of the Party.[https://www.afr.com/news/politics/nsw-lib-turmoil-as-another-mp-quits-craig-kelly-faces-defeat-20180916-h15fp7 NSW Lib turmoil as another MP quits, Craig Kelly faces defeat] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181209123615/https://www.afr.com/news/politics/nsw-lib-turmoil-as-another-mp-quits-craig-kelly-faces-defeat-20180916-h15fp7 |date=9 December 2018 }}; www.afr.com; 16 Sep 2018

2019 federal election

Morrison called the election for 18 May 2019, the last date on which a concurrent election for both the Senate and House of Representatives could occur. The government was widely anticipated to lose the vote, as almost all public polling conducted before and during the campaign suggested the Labor Party was on track to win a narrow majority.{{cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-australia-politics/australias-opposition-labor-on-track-to-win-election-polls-idUSKCN1RJ0PUhttps://www.reuters.com/article/us-australia-politics/australias-opposition-labor-on-track-to-win-election-polls-idUSKCN1RJ0PU|title=Australia's opposition Labor on track to win election: polls|work=Reuters|date=8 April 2019}}{{dead link|date=July 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} The government's focus during the election was on providing income tax cuts for Australians in all tax brackets. Though both major parties policies on income tax cuts was similar in the short term, in the long term the Coalition sought to rise the top income threshold for the 19, 32.5 and 37 per cent tax brackets from July 2022, before eliminating the 37 per cent bracket in July 2024, which Labor considered fiscally irresponsible.{{cite web|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-04-05/tax-plans-compared-as-federal-election-looms/10973968|title=Coalition and Labor income tax plans compared as federal election looms|date=4 April 2019|work=ABC News|access-date=9 September 2019|archive-date=28 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190928094300/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-04-05/tax-plans-compared-as-federal-election-looms/10973968|url-status=live}} The government also strongly opposed Labor's proposals to abolish cash refunds for franking credit recipients and negative gearing allowances for new properties.{{cite web|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-05-13/federal-election-policy-explained-economy-taxes/10880528|title=Federal election campaign shows major parties divided on income tax cuts, franking credits and negative gearing|work=ABC News|date=13 May 2019|access-date=9 September 2019|archive-date=6 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190906140756/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-05-13/federal-election-policy-explained-economy-taxes/10880528|url-status=live}}

The Coalition won 77 seats at the election and won 51.5% of the two-party preferred vote. Morrison credited the victory to voters he called "the quiet Australians".

Second term of government 2019–2022

{{See also|Second Morrison Ministry|46th Parliament of Australia}}

= Economy =

In its second term of office, the Morrison government initially continued the Coalition's program of tax cuts and Budget deficit reduction, however the arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia from early 2020 led to a dramatic increase in government expenditure and a brief recession by September 2020. The second Frydenberg Budget was delayed until October 2020, with the global economy facing its greatest crisis since the Great Depression.[https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/budget-delayed-as-economy-changes-too-fast-to-forecast-20200320-p54cbf.html Budget delayed as economy changes too fast to forecast] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220404013653/https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/budget-delayed-as-economy-changes-too-fast-to-forecast-20200320-p54cbf.html |date=4 April 2022 }}; smh.com.au; Mar 20, 2020[https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2020/oct/06/summary-australia-federal-budget-2020-key-points-taxes-jobs-welfare-education-health-business Federal budget summary: all the key points at a glance] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240510065747/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2020/oct/06/summary-australia-federal-budget-2020-key-points-taxes-jobs-welfare-education-health-business |date=10 May 2024 }}; the guardian.com; 6 Oct, 2020 Two years into the pandemic, the economy was recovering strongly. By December 2021, the economy was 3.4 per cent bigger than it had been before the commencement of the pandemic, and unemployment was at 4.2%, which was lower than it had been prior to the pandemic.[https://www.9news.com.au/national/australia-gdp-grows-more-than-3-per-cent-in-december-2021-quarter/b6864822-99e7-42b3-96a6-667455938757 Australia's economy grows 3.4 per cent as household spending soars] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220404013653/https://www.9news.com.au/national/australia-gdp-grows-more-than-3-per-cent-in-december-2021-quarter/b6864822-99e7-42b3-96a6-667455938757 |date=4 April 2022 }}; www.9news.com.au; Mar 2, 2022 During the period, the Morrison government concluded free trade agreements with Indonesia, the United Kingdom and India. These followed on from the Japan, South Korea and China free trade agreements negotiated by the Coalition during the term of the Abbott government.

== Income tax cuts ==

The government's income tax cut election commitments were legislated in the form of the Treasury Laws Amendment (Tax Relief So Working Australians Keep More Of Their Money) Bill 2019.{{Cite web |url=https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/Bills_Search_Results/Result?bId=r6345 |title=Treasury Laws Amendment (Tax Relief So Working Australians Keep More Of Their Money) Bill 2019 |access-date=9 September 2019 |archive-date=8 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191008065157/https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/Bills_Search_Results/Result?bId=r6345 |url-status=live }} In total the legislation provided $158 billion in income tax cuts. Despite opposing Stage 3 of the legislation (set to come into effect after 2022) which flattened the tax rate to 30% for all workers earning between $45,000 and $200,000, the Labor Party voted in favour and only the Greens voted against the bill.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/jul/04/tax-cuts-pass-senate-in-full-as-labor-backs-down|title=Coalition's income tax cuts pass Senate in full as Labor backs down|work=Guardian Australia|date=4 July 2019|access-date=9 September 2019|archive-date=29 May 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230529130050/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/jul/04/tax-cuts-pass-senate-in-full-as-labor-backs-down|url-status=live}}

== 2020 Coronavirus recession ==

On 2 September 2020, Australia was declared to be officially in a recession as GDP fell 7 per cent in June, the first time since the early 1990s.{{Cite news|url = https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/02/business/australia-recession.html|title = Australia's First Recession in Decades Signals Tougher Times to Come|newspaper = The New York Times|date = 2 September 2020|last1 = Kwai|first1 = Isabella|access-date = 3 September 2020|archive-date = 18 January 2021|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210118165038/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/02/business/australia-recession.html|url-status = live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.afr.com/policy/economy/australia-s-recession-in-five-graphs-20200902-p55rkw|title=Australia's recession in seven graphs|date=2 September 2020|access-date=3 September 2020|archive-date=22 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200922213925/https://www.afr.com/policy/economy/australia-s-recession-in-five-graphs-20200902-p55rkw|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url = https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-09-02/australian-recession-confirmed-as-economy-shrinks-in-june-qtr/12619950|title = 'Economy held together with duct tape' as Australia officially enters recession|newspaper = ABC News|date = 2 September 2020|access-date = 3 September 2020|archive-date = 11 January 2021|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210111062510/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-09-02/australian-recession-confirmed-as-economy-shrinks-in-june-qtr/12619950|url-status = live}} However, by December 2020 Australia was out of the recession after recording a GDP growth rate of 3.3% in the September quarter.{{cite web|url = https://www.afr.com/policy/economy/gdp-bounces-back-3-3pc-20201202-p56jsq|title = Australia to bounce further out of recession|date = 2 December 2020|access-date = 22 January 2021|archive-date = 24 January 2021|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210124021758/https://www.afr.com/policy/economy/gdp-bounces-back-3-3pc-20201202-p56jsq|url-status = live}} As part of the Coronavirus-recession, Frydenberg attempted to wind back Rudd-era reforms to responsible lending obligations.{{cite news |last1=Gittins |first1=Ross |title=How the Morrison government lost interest in banking reform |url=https://www.theage.com.au/business/the-economy/how-the-morrison-government-lost-interest-in-banking-reform-20220426-p5ag1u.html |access-date=5 May 2022 |work=The Age |date=26 April 2022 |language=en |archive-date=5 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220505121837/https://www.theage.com.au/business/the-economy/how-the-morrison-government-lost-interest-in-banking-reform-20220426-p5ag1u.html |url-status=live }}

= Defence, Foreign Affairs and Trade =

File:Yoshihide Suga joins the Quad FM Meeting in PM Office (1).jpg at a Quad meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, the Indian Foreign Minister, and the U.S. Secretary of State]]

== New Zealand ==

The Morrison government continued the Australian policy of deporting non-citizens who had committed crimes under Section 501 of the Migration Act 1958, which was enacted by the Abbott government in December 2014. New Zealanders residing in Australia were particularly affected by the policy; with 1,300 having been repatriated to New Zealand by July 2018. Due to the close bilateral relations between the two countries, New Zealanders in Australia enjoy special work and residency rights.{{cite news |title=Don't Call Australia Home! |url=http://www.abc.net.au/foreign/don%E2%80%99t-call-australia-home!/10005152 |access-date=23 May 2022 |publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |date=17 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220331190724/http://www.abc.net.au/foreign/don%E2%80%99t-call-australia-home!/10005152|archive-date=31 March 2022|url-status=live}}{{cite news |last1=O'Regan |first1=Sylvia Varnham |title=Why New Zealand Is Furious About Australia's Deportation Policy |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/03/world/asia/new-zealand-australia-deportations.html |access-date=23 May 2022 |newspaper=The New York Times |date=3 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180703201825/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/03/world/asia/new-zealand-australia-deportations.html|archive-date=3 July 2018|url-status=live}} In response to Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern's criticism that the deportation policy was having a "corrosive" effect on bilateral relations, Morrison defended the policy on law and order grounds.{{cite news |title=Jacinda Ardern blasts Scott Morrison over Australia's deportation policy – video |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/video/2020/feb/28/jacinda-ardern-blasts-scott-morrison-over-australias-deportation-policy-video |access-date=23 May 2022 |work=The Guardian |agency=Australian Associated Press |date=28 February 2020 |archive-date=2 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200302022222/https://www.theguardian.com/world/video/2020/feb/28/jacinda-ardern-blasts-scott-morrison-over-australias-deportation-policy-video |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last1=Cooke |first1=Henry |title=Extraordinary scene as Jacinda Ardern directly confronts Scott Morrison over deportations |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/119907289/extraordinary-scene-as-jacinda-ardern-directly-confronts-scott-morrison-over-deportations?rm=m |access-date=23 May 2022 |work=Stuff |date=28 February 2020 |archive-date=2 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200302104915/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/119907289/extraordinary-scene-as-jacinda-ardern-directly-confronts-scott-morrison-over-deportations?rm=m |url-status=live }}

In February 2021, Morrison defended his government's decision to revoke the citizenship of dual Australian–New Zealand citizen Suhayra Aden, who had become an ISIS bride. Ardern had criticised the decision, accusing Australia of abandoning its citizens.{{cite news |last1=Welch |first1=Dylan |last2=Dredge |first2=Suzanne |last3=Dziedzic |first3=Stephen |title=New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern criticises Australia for stripping dual national terror suspect's citizenship |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-02-16/jacinda-ardern-australia-stripping-dual-national-turkey-terror/13159300 |access-date=23 May 2022 |work=ABC News |date=16 February 2021 |archive-date=16 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210216020937/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-02-16/jacinda-ardern-australia-stripping-dual-national-turkey-terror/13159300 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |title=Ardern condemns Australia for revoking ISIL suspect's citizenship |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/2/16/ardern-slams-australia-for-revoking-isil-suspects-citizenship |access-date=23 May 2022 |work=Al Jazeera |date=16 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210216041226/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/2/16/ardern-slams-australia-for-revoking-isil-suspects-citizenship |archive-date=16 February 2021|url-status=live}} Following a phone conversation, the two Prime Ministers agreed to work together to resolve Aden's situation.{{cite news |last1=Manch |first1=Thomas |title=Jacinda Ardern, Scott Morrison agree to work in 'spirit of our relationship' over alleged Isis terrorist |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/124268610/jacinda-ardern-scott-morrison-agree-to-work-in-spirit-of-our-relationship-over-alleged-isis-terrorist |access-date=23 May 2022 |work=Stuff |date=17 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210216200502/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/124268610/jacinda-ardern-scott-morrison-agree-to-work-in-spirit-of-our-relationship-over-alleged-isis-terrorist |archive-date=16 February 2021|url-status=live}} In August 2021, Aden and her children were repatriated to New Zealand.{{cite news |last1=McKay |first1=Jessica |title=Suhayra Aden, accused of having ties to ISIS, arrives in New Zealand |url=https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/suhayra-aden-accused-having-ties-isis-arrives-in-new-zealand |access-date=23 May 2022 |work=1News |date=21 August 2021 |archive-date=21 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210821074758/https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/suhayra-aden-accused-having-ties-isis-arrives-in-new-zealand |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last1=Manch |first1=Thomas |title=Islamic State terror suspect Suhayra Aden arrives in New Zealand |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/126145102/islamic-state-terror-suspect-suhayra-aden-arrives-in-new-zealand |access-date=23 May 2022 |work=Stuff |date=21 August 2021 |archive-date=10 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240510065842/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/126145102/islamic-state-terror-suspect-suhayra-aden-arrives-in-new-zealand |url-status=live }}

Despite disagreements on immigration issues, Australia and New Zealand have collaborated on other international issues. In December 2020,

Wellington sided with Canberra during a dispute with China over a controversial social media post by Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian accusing Australia of committing war crimes in Afghanistan in response to the Brereton Report.{{cite news |last1=Hurst |first1=Daniel |title=France and New Zealand join Australia's criticism of Chinese government tweet |url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2020/dec/01/france-and-new-zealand-join-australias-criticism-of-chinese-government-tweet |access-date=23 May 2022 |work=The Guardian |date=1 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201201125856/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2020/dec/01/france-and-new-zealand-join-australias-criticism-of-chinese-government-tweet |archive-date=1 December 2020|url-status=live}}{{cite news |last1=Perry |first1=Nick |title=New Zealand joins Australia in denouncing China's tweet |url=https://apnews.com/article/australia-coronavirus-pandemic-new-zealand-china-scott-morrison-ee522bded9f610d0e16137fd06e61745 |access-date=23 May 2022 |work=Associated Press |date=2 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201201100519/https://apnews.com/article/australia-coronavirus-pandemic-new-zealand-china-scott-morrison-ee522bded9f610d0e16137fd06e61745 |archive-date=1 December 2020|url-status=live}} In late May 2021, Morrison and Ardern issued a joint statement in Queenstown affirming bilateral cooperation on the issues of COVID-19, bilateral relations, security issues in the Indo-Pacific such as the South China Sea dispute, and human rights in Hong Kong and Xinjiang.{{cite news |last1=McClure |first1=Tess |title=Jacinda Ardern hosts Scott Morrison in New Zealand for talks with post-Covid 'rulebook' on agenda |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/may/30/jacinda-ardern-hosts-scott-morrison-for-new-zealand-talks |access-date=23 May 2022 |work=The Guardian |date=30 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210602223157/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/may/30/jacinda-ardern-hosts-scott-morrison-for-new-zealand-talks |archive-date=2 June 2021|url-status=live}}{{cite web |last1=Ardern |first1=Jacinda |title=Joint statement: Prime Ministers Jacinda Ardern and Scott Morrison |url=https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/joint-statement-prime-ministers-jacinda-ardern-and-scott-morrison |website=Beehive.govt.nz |publisher=New Zealand Government |access-date=23 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210602011558/https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/joint-statement-prime-ministers-jacinda-ardern-and-scott-morrison |archive-date=2 June 2021 |date=31 May 2021 |url-status=live}} In March 2022, Wellington also supported Canberra's concerns about a planned security pact between China and the Solomon Islands.{{cite news |title=Pacific tensions: NZ raising concerns with China, Australia 'freaking out' over Solomon Islands |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/pacific-tensions-nz-raising-concerns-with-china-australia-freaking-out-over-solomon-islands/BDIFSGXRC4645L2X2JEBHIGWXU/ |access-date=23 May 2022 |work=The New Zealand Herald |date=28 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220328113046/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/pacific-tensions-nz-raising-concerns-with-china-australia-freaking-out-over-solomon-islands/BDIFSGXRC4645L2X2JEBHIGWXU/|archive-date=28 March 2022|url-status=live}}

In late March 2022, Home Affairs Minister Karen Andrews and New Zealand Immigration Minister Kris Faafoi announced that Australia had accepted a longstanding New Zealand offer to accept 150 refugees a year from the Nauru Regional Processing Centre or asylum seekers temporarily in Australia for "processing." While Morrison's Labor predecessor Julia Gillard and her New Zealand counterpart John Key had initially reached the refugee resettlement deal in 2012, subsequent Liberal governments had reneged on New Zealand's offer due to concerns that it would encourage more asylum seekers to use New Zealand as a backdoor for immigrating to Australia.{{cite news |last1=Manch |first1=Thomas |last2=Walton |first2=Stephen |title=New Zealand will receive 150 refugees held offshore by Australia, nine years after offer was made |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/128155880/new-zealand-will-receive-150-refugees-held-offshore-by-australia-nine-years-after-offer-was-made |access-date=23 May 2022 |work=Stuff |date=24 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220324104415/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/128155880/new-zealand-will-receive-150-refugees-held-offshore-by-australia-nine-years-after-offer-was-made |archive-date=24 March 2022|url-status=live}}{{cite news |last1=Butler |first1=Josh |last2=Hurst |first2=Daniel |title=Australia agrees 450 refugees can be resettled in New Zealand, nine years after deal first offered |url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2022/mar/24/australia-agrees-450-refugees-can-be-resettled-in-new-zealand-nine-years-after-deal-first-offered |access-date=23 May 2022 |work=The Guardian |date=24 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220324104844/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2022/mar/24/australia-agrees-450-refugees-can-be-resettled-in-new-zealand-nine-years-after-deal-first-offered |archive-date=24 March 2022|url-status=live}}

== Brereton Report ==

The Brereton Report into war crimes allegedly committed by the Australian Defence Force (ADF) during the War in Afghanistan between 2005 and 2016 delivered its final report on 6 November 2020. The redacted version was released publicly on 19 November 2020. The report found evidence of 39 murders of civilians and prisoners by (or at the instruction of) members of the Australian special forces, which were subsequently covered up by ADF personnel. The Morrison government established a new Office of the Special Investigator to investigate further criminal conduct and recommend prosecution of individuals involved. In December 2020, Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton appointed former Judge of the Supreme Court of Victoria, Mark Weinberg as the Special Investigator. The Department of Defence released a plan to respond to the findings of the Brereton Report on 30 July 2021.

== Evacuation of Afghanistan ==

During the 2021 evacuation of Afghanistan in August 2021, the Morrison government deployed 250 Australian soldiers and three Royal Australian Air Force aircraft to aid in evacuations.{{cite web|url=http://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/aug/17/australia-will-not-be-able-to-rescue-all-afghans-who-served-alongside-military-scott-morrison-says|title=Australia will not be able to rescue all Afghans who served alongside military, Scott Morrison says|date=17 August 2021|website=the Guardian|access-date=17 August 2021|archive-date=17 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210817085238/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/aug/17/australia-will-not-be-able-to-rescue-all-afghans-who-served-alongside-military-scott-morrison-says|url-status=live}} Morrison, Defence Minister Dutton and Foreign Minister Payne also called on the Taliban to "cease all violence against civilians and adhere to international humanitarian law and the human rights all Afghans are entitled to expect, in particular women and girls".{{cite news |last1=Greene |first1=Andrew |title=Australian military rescue mission to Afghanistan to proceed 'when situation allows' |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-08-16/australian-military-rescue-afghanistan-proceed-when-possible/100381278 |access-date=16 August 2021 |work=ABC News |date=16 August 2021 |archive-date=16 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231016094139/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-08-16/australian-military-rescue-afghanistan-proceed-when-possible/100381278 |url-status=live }}

By 24 August, Morrison confirmed that Australian and New Zealand forces had evacuated more than 650 people from Hamid Karzai International Airport in five flights.{{cite news |title=The Latest: Australia, New Zealand evacuate hundreds |url=https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/latest-attackers-kill-afghan-soldier-kabul-airport-79595346 |access-date=27 August 2021 |work=ABC News |agency=Associated Press |date=24 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210826130226/https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/latest-attackers-kill-afghan-soldier-kabul-airport-79595346 |archive-date=26 August 2021}} In addition, Australian forces also assisted with the evacuation of six Fijian United Nations workers.{{cite news |last1=Darmadi |first1=Mala |title=Fijians among those to be evacuated from Afghanistan |url=https://www.abc.net.au/radio-australia/programs/pacificbeat/fijians-among-those-to-be-evacuated-from-afghanistan/13511056 |access-date=27 August 2021 |work=ABC News |date=24 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210824230559/https://www.abc.net.au/radio-australia/programs/pacificbeat/fijians-among-those-to-be-evacuated-from-afghanistan/13511056 |archive-date=24 August 2021|url-status=live}}

== The Quad ==

The Morrison government embraced the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue between the Australia, India, Japan and the United States as a key pillar of its Indo-Pacific strategy. On 24 September 2021, US President Joe Biden hosted the first in-person Quad Leaders’ Summit with Prime Minister Morrison, Indian Prime Minister Modi and Japanese Prime Minister Suga in Washington. The leaders announced further initiatives on COVID-19 vaccines, technology and climate change, and launched Quad cooperation on clean energy supply chains, infrastructure, cyber, outer space, and cultivating next-generation STEM talent.[https://www.dfat.gov.au/international-relations/regional-architecture/quad Quad] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220219083813/https://www.dfat.gov.au/international-relations/regional-architecture/quad |date=19 February 2022 }}; dfat.gov.au The group is also widely perceived as a democratic counterbalance to the rise of authoritarian China. Outlining his vision for the organisation, Morrison said ahead of the meeting: "We are liberal democracies, that believe in a world order than favours freedom and we believe in a free and open Indo-Pacific. Because we know that's what delivers a strong, stable and prosperous region. The Quad is about demonstrating how democracies like ours... can get things done."[https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-09-25/scott-morrison-quad-meeting-china-us-india-japan/100491080 Scott Morrison meets with Quad leaders as Australia gets serious about tempering China's strength] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220219083808/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-09-25/scott-morrison-quad-meeting-china-us-india-japan/100491080 |date=19 February 2022 }}; abc.net.au; 25 Sep 2021

== AUKUS ==

In September 2021 ahead of the Quad Leaders meeting in Washington, Morrison announced the AUKUS security pact between Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States

in a joint virtual press conference with US President Joe Biden, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson. As part of the pact, the United States and Britain will share defence technologies with Australia, including nuclear submarine technology for the first time. The agreement formed the most significant security arrangement between the three nations since World War Two, and came in the context of rapidly expanding naval and military spending by Communist China.[https://www.bbc.com/news/world-58564837 Aukus: UK, US and Australia launch pact to counter China] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210916001936/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-58564837 |date=16 September 2021 }}; bcc.com; 16 Sep, 2021 As part of the deal, Australia scrapped a $90 billion submarine contract with a French State owned Naval company signed in 2016. French President Emmanuel Macron reacted angrily to the announcement, publicly accused Morrison of lying, and recalled France's ambassadors to Australia and the United States, as well as Malaysia and Indonesia.{{Cite news|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-09-19/australia-braces-eu-trade-backlash-submarine-contract/100473972|title='How can we trust Australia?': Government braces for EU backlash over France submarines|newspaper=ABC News|date=18 September 2021|access-date=19 September 2021|archive-date=18 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210918214003/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-09-19/australia-braces-eu-trade-backlash-submarine-contract/100473972|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url = https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-09-19/malaysia-indonesia-criticise-australian-submarine-about-face/100474056|title = Malaysia warns Australia nuclear sub project could 'provoke other powers' in Asia|newspaper = ABC News|date = 18 September 2021|access-date = 19 September 2021|archive-date = 18 September 2021|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210918175217/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-09-19/malaysia-indonesia-criticise-australian-submarine-about-face/100474056|url-status = live}}{{Cite web |date=2021-11-02 |title=Branded a 'liar' by the French, Scott Morrison's slipperiness is now on show for the world to see {{!}} Hugh Riminton |url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/nov/02/branded-a-liar-by-the-french-scott-morrisons-slipperiness-is-now-on-show-for-the-world-to-see |access-date=2022-05-06 |website=the Guardian |language=en |archive-date=3 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211103010136/https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/nov/02/branded-a-liar-by-the-french-scott-morrisons-slipperiness-is-now-on-show-for-the-world-to-see |url-status=live }} Macron's accusation was later said to have caused an avalanche of people disparaging Morrison's character, thought to have been a factor in the 2022 election loss.{{cite news |last1=Muller |first1=Denis |title='I don't think, I know': how 5 words from the French president triggered a ruinous run on Morrison's character |url=https://theconversation.com/i-dont-think-i-know-how-5-words-from-the-french-president-triggered-a-ruinous-run-on-morrisons-character-179755 |access-date=22 May 2022 |work=The Conversation |language=en |archive-date=22 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220522024534/https://theconversation.com/i-dont-think-i-know-how-5-words-from-the-french-president-triggered-a-ruinous-run-on-morrisons-character-179755 |url-status=live }} Morrison later said that the possibility of Australia losing all its submarine deals with no submarines as a result was the most stressful part of his prime ministership.{{cite news |agency=Agence France-Presse |title=Scott Morrison hid plans from Macron to ditch French submarine contract, new book reveals |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/jun/21/scott-morrison-hid-plans-from-macron-to-ditch-french-submarine-contract-new-book-reveals |work=The Guardian |date=21 June 2023 |access-date=31 July 2023 |archive-date=10 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240510065750/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/jun/21/scott-morrison-hid-plans-from-macron-to-ditch-french-submarine-contract-new-book-reveals |url-status=live }}

== Australia–United Kingdom Free Trade Agreement ==

In December 2021, the Morrison government formally signed the Australia–United Kingdom Free Trade Agreement. The deal reduced restrictions on Australians to live and work in Britain, and will eliminate or phase out tariffs on a large range of products, including lamb, beef, sugar and dairy. The agreement was the first reached by Britain since its departure from the European Union, which had created barriers to trade between the two nations. The Government called it "the most comprehensive and ambitious free trade agreement that Australia has concluded, other than with New Zealand..."[https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-12-17/australia-signs-free-trade-agreement-united-kingdom/100706992 Australia signs UK free trade deal, scrapping import tariffs and opening British jobs market] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211219002156/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-12-17/australia-signs-free-trade-agreement-united-kingdom/100706992 |date=19 December 2021 }}; abc.net.au; 17 Dec 2021

== Counter-terrorism ==

The Counter-Terrorism (Temporary Exclusion Orders) Act 2019 and related legislation passed the parliament on 25 July 2019. The legislation gives the Minister for Home Affairs the power to issue an order barring an Australian citizen over the age of 14 from being able to enter Australian sovereign territory. A Temporary Exclusion Order can only be issued when the Minister or ASIO (Australia's foreign intelligence agency) reasonably suspects that the person is likely to commit or enable an act of terrorism in Australia, and can last for a maximum of two years.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/jul/23/what-is-a-temporary-exclusion-order-australias-foreign-fighters-bill-explained|title=What is a temporary exclusion order? Australia's foreign fighters bill explained|work=Guardian Australia|date=22 July 2019|access-date=9 September 2019|archive-date=10 May 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240510065749/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/jul/23/what-is-a-temporary-exclusion-order-australias-foreign-fighters-bill-explained|url-status=live}} All Temporary Exclusion Orders must be submitted for review to a reviewing authority (an Attorney-General-appointment former Justice), and can be revoked by the reviewing authority for any one of nine reasons. The government controversially rejected the amendments suggested by the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security, which were supported by the opposition parties.{{cite web|url=https://www.2gb.com/new-laws-cant-stop-foreign-fighters-returning-to-australia/|date=26 July 2019|title=New laws can't stop foreign fighters returning to Australia|work=2GB|access-date=9 September 2019|archive-date=27 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190727021458/https://www.2gb.com/new-laws-cant-stop-foreign-fighters-returning-to-australia/|url-status=live}}

== Russian invasion of Ukraine ==

File:Bushmaster Protected Mobility Vehicle on display at Centenary of Military Aviation 2014.jpg to Ukraine at the request Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in 2022.]]

The Morrison government denounced the February 2022 invasion of Ukraine by the Russian dictator Vladimir Putin. Morrison told the nation on February 24 that the Russian government had launched a "brutal" and "unprovoked" invasion of Ukraine, and announced the imposition of sanctions on Russian interests.{{cite news |last1=Hevesi |first1=Bryant |title=Scott Morrison condemns Russia's 'brutal invasion' of Ukraine after Vladimir Putin authorises 'special military operation' |url=https://www.skynews.com.au/world-news/watch-live-scott-morrison-responds-after-vladimir-putin-authorises-russias-special-military-operation-in-ukraine/news-story/3d52b99a11e8458950a77ff0ddeafe2e |access-date=2 April 2022 |work=Sky News Australia |date=24 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220319093318/https://www.skynews.com.au/world-news/watch-live-scott-morrison-responds-after-vladimir-putin-authorises-russias-special-military-operation-in-ukraine/news-story/3d52b99a11e8458950a77ff0ddeafe2e |archive-date=19 March 2022|url-status=live}} The Abbott government had previously taken a strong stance against Putin during the Russia's invasion of Crimea and incursions into Eastern Ukraine, as well as the shooting down of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17.{{cite news |last1=Masanauskas |first1=John |title=Former PM Tony Abbott mobbed after shirtfront mention as he receives Ukrainian freedom gong in Melbourne |url=https://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/former-pm-tony-abbott-mobbed-after-shirtfront-mention-as-he-receives-ukrainian-freedom-gong-in-melbourne/news-story/63ebe55b1f0f24985b75abbb4b897aa6 |access-date=2 April 2022 |work=Herald Sun |date=25 November 2015 |archive-date=7 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230407040101/https://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/former-pm-tony-abbott-mobbed-after-shirtfront-mention-as-he-receives-ukrainian-freedom-gong-in-melbourne/news-story/63ebe55b1f0f24985b75abbb4b897aa6 |url-status=live }}

In the immediate aftermath of the 2022 invasion, Australia offered medical supplies, financial support and non-lethal military equipment to assist Ukraine.{{cite news |title=Australian medical supplies and military equipment to be sent to Ukraine to fight war against Russia |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-02-25/australia-military-equipment-medical-supplies-ukraine-russia-war/100860496 |access-date=2 April 2022 |work=ABC News |publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |date=25 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220331012636/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-02-25/australia-military-equipment-medical-supplies-ukraine-russia-war/100860496 |archive-date=31 March 2022|url-status=live}} Morrison criticised China for not condemning the invasion, and accused the Chinese government of "throwing a lifeline" to Putin by lifting restrictions on trade with Russia.{{cite news |title=China accused of undermining sanctions against Russia for its invasion of Ukraine |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-02-25/scott-morrison-china-russia-ukraine-war-trade/100861030 |access-date=2 April 2022 |work=ABC News |publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |date=25 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220401065700/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-02-25/scott-morrison-china-russia-ukraine-war-trade/100861030 |archive-date=1 April 2022|url-status=live}}

In the weeks following the invasion, Australia committed $116 million in military aid to support the Ukrainian war effort. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addressed the Australian Parliament on 31 March. Morrison called Zelensky a "Lion of Democracy" and told him ahead of his Parliamentary address: "Yes, you have our prayers, but you also have our weapons [and] our military aid. We stand with you, Mr President, and we do not stand with the war criminal of Moscow."[https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-03-31/more-military-aid-defence-weapons-ukraine-zelenskyy/100955544 Australia to send money for more military aid to Ukraine after Zelenskyy request] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220331070958/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-03-31/more-military-aid-defence-weapons-ukraine-zelenskyy/100955544 |date=31 March 2022 }}; www.abc.net.au, Mar 31, 2022 Zelensky thanked Australia for its support, and requested Australian-designed Bushmaster armoured vehicles be sent to Ukraine. Morrison accepted the request.[https://www.9news.com.au/national/russia-ukraine-update-australia-to-supply-bushmaster-armoured-vehicles/82ac9566-5d0d-4e9f-b3ab-902658516bcd Australia to send Bushmaster armoured vehicles requested by Ukraine's President] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220404065123/https://www.9news.com.au/national/russia-ukraine-update-australia-to-supply-bushmaster-armoured-vehicles/82ac9566-5d0d-4e9f-b3ab-902658516bcd |date=4 April 2022 }}; www.9news.com.au; Apr 1, 2022

== Solomon Islands ==

In response to the 2021 Solomon Islands unrest, the Morrison government dispatched personnel from the Australian Federal Police and Australian Defence Force. This was done at the request of Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare, who invoked the Australia–Solomon Islands Bilateral Security Treaty.{{cite press release |last=Andrews |first=Karen |date=25 November 2021 |title=Joint media release – Solomon Islands |url=https://minister.homeaffairs.gov.au/KarenAndrews/Pages/joint-media-release-solomon-islands.aspx |location=Canberra |publisher=Australian Government |access-date=2 April 2022 |archive-date=21 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211221150433/https://minister.homeaffairs.gov.au/KarenAndrews/Pages/joint-media-release-solomon-islands.aspx |url-status=live }} The Morrison government stated that this deployment was to support the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force's efforts to main order and protect vital infrastructure in the island nation.{{Cite news|date=25 November 2021|title=Australian forces on urgent mission to Solomon Islands after civil unrest rocks Pacific nation|language=en-AU|work=ABC News|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-11-25/australia-to-send-defence-police-to-solomon-islands/100651476|access-date=2 April 2022|archive-date=14 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220114064133/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-11-25/australia-to-send-defence-police-to-solomon-islands/100651476|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|last=McGuirk|first=David Rising and Rod|date=25 November 2021|title=Australia sending troops, police to Solomon Islands amid unrest|url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/world/australia-sending-troops-police-to-solomon-islands-amid-unrest-1.5680669|url-status=live|access-date=2 April 2022|work=CTV News|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211125145038/https://www.ctvnews.ca/world/australia-sending-troops-police-to-solomon-islands-amid-unrest-1.5680669 |archive-date=25 November 2021 }}{{Cite news|date=25 November 2021|title=Australia sending police, troops and diplomats to Solomon Islands to aid amid violent protests|url=https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/4356304|url-status=live|access-date=2 April 2022|work=Taiwan News|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211125150259/https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/4356304 |archive-date=25 November 2021 }}

In late March 2022, Foreign Minister Marise Payne and Defence Minister Peter Dutton expressed opposition to a draft security pact between China and the Solomon Islands that would allow Beijing to deploy military forces in the country and establish a military base.{{cite web |last1=Payne |first1=Marise |title=Statement on Solomon Islands |url=https://www.foreignminister.gov.au/minister/marise-payne/media-release/statement-solomon-islands |publisher=Minister for Foreign Affairs |access-date=1 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220401143322/https://www.foreignminister.gov.au/minister/marise-payne/media-release/statement-solomon-islands |archive-date=1 April 2022 |date=25 March 2022 |url-status=live}}{{cite news |title=Australia alarm over China security deal with Solomon Islands |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/3/25/australia-alarm-over-china-security-deal-with-solomon-islands |access-date=1 April 2022 |work=Al Jazeera |date=25 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220326145938/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/3/25/australia-alarm-over-china-security-deal-with-solomon-islands |archive-date=26 March 2022|url-status=live}} In response to Canberra's criticism, Sogavare defended the security pact with China, criticising the leaking of the document and objecting to the Australian media's coverage of the security pact.{{cite news |last1=Corlett |first1=Eva |last2=Hurst |first2=Daniel |title=Solomon Islands prime minister says foreign criticism of China security deal 'very insulting' |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/mar/29/solomon-islands-prime-minister-says-foreign-criticism-of-china-security-deal-very-insulting |access-date=1 April 2022 |work=The Guardian |date=29 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220401124856/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/mar/29/solomon-islands-prime-minister-says-foreign-criticism-of-china-security-deal-very-insulting |archive-date=1 April 2022|url-status=live}} In addition, the Chinese government defended the bilateral pact and rejected Australian criticism that Beijing was coercing the Solomon Islands.{{cite web |title=Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin's Regular Press Conference on March 25, 2022 |url=https://www.fmprc.gov.cn/mfa_eng/xwfw_665399/s2510_665401/2511_665403/202203/t20220325_10655688.html |publisher=Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China |access-date=1 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220326013828/https://www.fmprc.gov.cn/mfa_eng/xwfw_665399/s2510_665401/2511_665403/202203/t20220325_10655688.html |archive-date=26 March 2022 |date=25 March 2022 |url-status=live}}

== India Free Trade Agreement ==

File:The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi meeting the Prime Minister of Australia, Mr. Scott Morrison, on the sidelines of East Asia Summit, in Singapore on November 14, 2018.JPG (left) and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi meeting on the sidelines of the East Asia Summit in Singapore, November 2018]]

Australia and India launched negotiations for the Australia-India Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (AI-CECA) in May 2011. Negotiations were suspended in 2015, but were revived in 2020 by Prime Ministers Morrison and Narendra Modi. On 2 April 2022, An interim agreement was signed by Trade Minister Dan Tehan and his Indian counterpart Piyush Goyal.[https://www.dfat.gov.au/trade/agreements/negotiations/aifta/australia-india-comprehensive-economic-cooperation-agreement Australia-India Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (AI-CECA)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221122164818/https://www.dfat.gov.au/trade/agreements/negotiations/aifta/australia-india-comprehensive-economic-cooperation-agreement |date=22 November 2022 }}; dfat.gov.au "India and Australia are natural partners. Like two brothers, both nations supported each other during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our relationship rests on the pillars of trust and reliability", Minister Goyal said.[https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-04-02/india-australia-trade-deal-signed/100961618 'Historic' trade agreement with India signed after decade of negotiations] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221124123912/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-04-02/india-australia-trade-deal-signed/100961618 |date=24 November 2022 }}; abc.net.au; 2 April 2022

= Infrastructure =

File:Western Sydney Airport construction 2021.jpg construction site in 2021]]

File:Murrumbidgee River below the Tantangara Dam, NSW, Australia.jpg, near the Snowy 2.0 pumped hydro construction site.]]

In April 2014, the Abbott government announced approval for the Western Sydney Airport, a second airport for the city at Badgerys Creek, {{convert|50|km}} west of Sydney's CBD.{{cite news|url=https://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/tony-abbott-confirms-badgerys-creek-as-site-of-second-sydney-airport-20140415-zqv0d.html|title=Tony Abbott confirms Badgerys Creek as site of second Sydney airport|author=Cox, Lisa|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=15 April 2014|access-date=9 January 2015|archive-date=19 June 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140619200603/http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/tony-abbott-confirms-badgerys-creek-as-site-of-second-sydney-airport-20140415-zqv0d.html|url-status=live}} In November 2021, Prime Minister Morrison said the Coalition government had invested over $14 billion to the project, creating 11,000 jobs. With terminal construction commencing, Morrison said the project was already 25 per cent complete "as a result of a great partnership, a partnership between the federal Liberals and Nationals and the state Liberals and Nationals working closely to secure Australia’s economic future and to secure the success of Western Sydney."[https://www.skynews.com.au/australia-news/politics/construction-of-western-sydney-airport-already-25-per-cent-complete-morrison/video/3550a700b75c3a991e5e5e46225a7488 Construction of Western Sydney airport ‘already 25 per cent complete’: Morrison]; www.skynews.com.au; Nov 19, 2021

In 2017, the Turnbull government announced plans for Snowy 2.0, a $2bn construction project to increase the capacity of Snowy Hydro by 50% through 'pumped hydro' technology.{{cite news|url= http://www.afr.com/news/politics/federal-government-to-pour-2bn-into-major-snowy-hydro-expansion-20170315-guyo3r|title= Federal Government to pour 2 billion into major Snowy Hydro expansion|date= 15 March 2017|newspaper= Australian Financial Review|access-date= 5 April 2022|archive-date= 20 March 2017|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170320144145/http://www.afr.com/news/politics/federal-government-to-pour-2bn-into-major-snowy-hydro-expansion-20170315-guyo3r|url-status= live}} Following extensive environmental and feasibility study, the Morrison government announced Federal approval for implementation of the project in June 2020.[https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/jun/30/snowy-hydro-20-wins-final-federal-thumbs-up-despite-environmental-fears Snowy Hydro 2.0 wins final federal 'thumbs-up' – despite environmental fears] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240510065835/https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/jun/30/snowy-hydro-20-wins-final-federal-thumbs-up-despite-environmental-fears |date=10 May 2024 }}; www.theguardian.com; 30 Jun 2020 Unveiling a tunnel boring machine for Snowy 2.0 in December 2021, Morrison said: "Snowy 2.0 is building on the proud legacy of the first Snowy scheme, using local ingenuity to deliver landmark new infrastructure that will benefit Australia and the national electricity market for decades to come."[https://7news.com.au/business/energy/boring-end-to-parliamentary-sitting-week-c-4799719 Boring end to parliamentary sitting week] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240510070116/https://7news.com.au/business/energy/boring-end-to-parliamentary-sitting-week-c-4799719 |date=10 May 2024 }}; 7news.com.au; 3 December 2021

= Indigenous Affairs =

File:Ken Wyatt cropped.jpg, the first indigenous Australian to sit in Cabinet]]

The Morrison government's second term commenced with the historic appointment of Ken Wyatt as Minister for Indigenous Australians in the Second Morrison Ministry. Wyatt became the first Aboriginal person to sit in Cabinet and hold the indigenous affairs portfolio.

On the eve of Australia Day, 2022, the Morrison government announced that it had transferred the Aboriginal flag's copyright to the Commonwealth. Prime Minister Morrison said the flag had been "freed" for all Australians to use without asking for permission or the need to pay someone. Copyright was originally held by the original designer Harold Thomas, however non-Indigenous company WAM Clothing had bought exclusive rights to the flag in November 2018.[https://www.9news.com.au/national/aboriginal-flag-australia-reacts-after-government-frees-flag-copyright/c47a2315-9d58-46ef-b026-85616dd3c076 'We can fly our flag': Australia reacts after Aboriginal flag 'freed'] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240510070113/https://www.9news.com.au/national/aboriginal-flag-australia-reacts-after-government-frees-flag-copyright/c47a2315-9d58-46ef-b026-85616dd3c076 |date=10 May 2024 }}; www.9news.com.au; Jan 25, 2022

= Religious freedoms =

The dispute between professional rugby player Israel Folau and Rugby Australia was a major story during the federal election campaign.{{cite web|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-06-28/israel-folau-religious-freedom-define-scott-morrison-leadership/11259806|title=How Israel Folau and religious freedom could define Scott Morrison's leadership|work=ABC News|date=27 June 2019|access-date=9 September 2019|archive-date=5 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190905122511/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-06-28/israel-folau-religious-freedom-define-scott-morrison-leadership/11259806|url-status=live}} In the previous parliament, the two major parties had been unable to agree on legislation which would have removed the right of religious schools to expel LGBT students and sack homosexual teachers.{{cite web|url=https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/parliament-paralysed-on-laws-to-prevent-religious-schools-expelling-lgbti-students-20181205-p50kcx.html|title=Parliament paralysed on laws to prevent religious schools expelling LGBTI students|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=6 December 2018|access-date=9 September 2019|archive-date=21 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190821231557/https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/parliament-paralysed-on-laws-to-prevent-religious-schools-expelling-lgbti-students-20181205-p50kcx.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.sbs.com.au/news/gay-teacher-law-changes-will-have-to-wait-pm|title=Gay teacher law changes will have to wait: PM|date=6 October 2018|work=SBS News|access-date=9 September 2019|archive-date=29 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190429072951/https://www.sbs.com.au/news/gay-teacher-law-changes-will-have-to-wait-pm|url-status=live}} Amidst intense pressure from conservative MPs, the government in August 2019 released a draft bill focusing on religious freedom. The draft legislation included provisions preventing employers from limiting the religious expression of workers in their private capacity (unless the business can prove it is a "reasonable" limitation and necessary to avoid unjustifiable financial hardship) and explicitly overrides a Tasmanian anti-discrimination law, which prohibits conduct which "offends, humiliates, intimidates, insults or ridicules" based on protected grounds including gender, race, age, sexual orientation, disability and relationship status.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/aug/29/religious-discrimination-bill-coalition-accused-of-weakening-state-human-rights-law|title=Religious discrimination bill: Coalition accused of creating a 'Trojan horse for hate'|work=Guardian Australia|date=30 August 2019|access-date=9 September 2019|archive-date=10 May 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240510070121/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/aug/29/religious-discrimination-bill-coalition-accused-of-weakening-state-human-rights-law|url-status=live}} The government had promised to introduce the bill to the parliament before the end of 2019 but objections from conservative religious groups and LGBTIQ equality advocates forced the government to delay and re-draft the bill.{{cite web|url=https://abc.net.au/news/2019-11-30/government-delays-introduction-of-religious-discrimination-bill/11753614|title=Religious discrimination bill gets delayed as PM Scott Morrison announces new draft|work=ABC News|date=30 November 2019|access-date=30 November 2019|archive-date=30 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191130074349/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-11-30/government-delays-introduction-of-religious-discrimination-bill/11753614|url-status=live}} In March 2020 the government dropped draft legislation to protect gay students and teachers from being expelled or sacked from religious schools.{{cite web|url=https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/morrison-government-quietly-mothballs-laws-to-protect-gay-students-and-teachers-20200312-p549m3.html|title=Morrison government quietly mothballs laws to protect gay students and teachers|author=Michael Koziol|date=15 March 2020|access-date=17 November 2021|archive-date=17 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211117041105/https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/morrison-government-quietly-mothballs-laws-to-protect-gay-students-and-teachers-20200312-p549m3.html|url-status=live}} In November 2021 the Cabinet signed off on a revised religious freedoms bill, that included a "statements of belief" protection, meaning such statements could not be considered discriminatory so long as they don't threaten, intimidate, harass or vilify a person or would be considered malicious to a "reasonable person".{{cite web|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-11-24/government-religious-discrimination-bill-explained/100645502|title=What's in the new religious discrimination bill and will it become law?|author=Georgia Hitch|date=24 November 2021|work=ABC News|access-date=28 November 2021|archive-date=28 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211128102331/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-11-24/government-religious-discrimination-bill-explained/100645502|url-status=live}} The statement of beliefs clause would override any countervailing state or territory laws. The bill retained a clause that allows faith-based institutions, such as religious schools and hospitals, to positively discriminate against people who do not share or practice their faith.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/nov/16/coalition-waters-down-religious-discrimination-bill-by-scrapping-folau-clause|title=Coalition waters down religious discrimination bill by scrapping Folau clause|work=The Guardian|date=16 November 2021|author=Sarah Martin & Paul Karp|access-date=17 November 2021|archive-date=10 May 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240510070117/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/nov/16/coalition-waters-down-religious-discrimination-bill-by-scrapping-folau-clause|url-status=live}} These institutions would be required to have a publicly available policy that clearly explained how those religious views would be enforced.

The so-called "Folau clause", which would have protected someone from being sacked for expressing any religious belief, was dropped.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/nov/17/schools-can-hire-teachers-on-basis-of-faith-under-religious-discrimination-bill-alan-tudge-says|title=Schools can hire teachers on basis of faith under religious discrimination bill, Alan Tudge says|work=The Guardian|date=17 November 2021|author=Sarah Martin & Paul Karp|access-date=17 November 2021|archive-date=10 May 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240510070118/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/nov/17/schools-can-hire-teachers-on-basis-of-faith-under-religious-discrimination-bill-alan-tudge-says|url-status=live}} Morrison introduced the Religious Discrimination Bill 2021 to the House of Representatives on 25 November 2021.{{cite web|url=https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/Bills_Search_Results/Result?bId=r6821|title=Religious Discrimination Bill 2021|work=aph.gov.au}}

In early February, Morrison confirmed that he would seek support from the Liberal Party to amend the Sex Discrimination Act 1984 to scrap a clause allowing religious schools to discriminate against same-sex and gender diverse students. His announcement came in response to Citipointe Christian College's unsuccessful attempt to get families to sign an anti-gay and anti-trans enrolment contract. Morrison had earlier introduced religious discrimination legislation into the Australian Parliament protecting certain expressions of religious expression and overrode state laws limiting when religious schools can give preferentially employment to staff of the same faith. Morrison's plan to amend the Sex Discrimination Act drew opposition from the Australian Christian Lobby and Christian Schools Australia, which threatened to withdraw their support for Morrison's religious discrimination legislation. The national LGBT advocation organisation Equality Australia welcomed Morrison's commitment to amend the Sex Discrimination Act but called for the proposed religious discrimination legislation to be scrapped.{{cite news |title=Morrison aims to ban church schools excluding LGBTQI+ students |url=https://www.1news.co.nz/2022/02/07/morrison-aims-to-ban-church-schools-excluding-lgbtqi-students/ |access-date=10 February 2022 |work=1News |date=8 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220208012707/https://www.1news.co.nz/2022/02/07/morrison-aims-to-ban-church-schools-excluding-lgbtqi-students/ |archive-date=8 February 2022|url-status=live}}{{cite news |last1=Karp |first1=Paul |title=Christian lobby groups attack Morrison for vowing students won't be expelled due to their sexuality or gender |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/feb/03/christian-lobby-groups-attack-morrison-for-vowing-students-wont-be-expelled-due-to-their-sexuality-or-gender |access-date=10 February 2022 |work=The Guardian |date=3 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220208003742/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/feb/03/christian-lobby-groups-attack-morrison-for-vowing-students-wont-be-expelled-due-to-their-sexuality-or-gender |archive-date=8 February 2022|url-status=live}}

Following an all-night marathon sitting, the government's Religious Discrimination Bill 2022 passed its third reading in the House of Representatives, despite five Liberal MPs voting with the Labor Party to pass amendments to the Sex Discrimination Act banning religious schools from discriminating against students on gender and sexuality grounds following a failed attempt by the government to defeat its own legislation. This amended legislation was referred to the Senate, where the government chose to remove the bill from consideration until after the 2022 election.{{cite web|url=https://www.9news.com.au/national/religious-freedom-bill-passes-lower-house-parliament/aa17e40e-968c-4534-b682-ea0374669b62|title=Religious discrimination bill delayed, unlikely to be voted on before election|author=Eliza Edwards|date=9 February 2022|work=9News|access-date=20 April 2022|archive-date=8 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220308210909/https://amp.9news.com.au/article/aa17e40e-968c-4534-b682-ea0374669b62|url-status=live}}{{cite news |last1=Karp |first1=Paul |title=Coalition's religious discrimination bill passes after marathon all-night sitting |url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2022/feb/10/coalition-religious-discrimination-bill-passes-after-marathon-all-night-sitting |access-date=10 February 2022 |work=The Guardian |date=10 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220210013410/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2022/feb/10/coalition-religious-discrimination-bill-passes-after-marathon-all-night-sitting|archive-date=10 February 2022|url-status=live}}{{cite news |last1=Evans |first1=Jake |title=The government lost a dramatic showdown on religious discrimination laws overnight. So what happened? |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-02-10/religious-discrimination-bill-transgender-protection-explained/100818484 |access-date=10 February 2022 |work=ABC News |publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |date=10 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220210011518/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-02-10/religious-discrimination-bill-transgender-protection-explained/100818484|archive-date=10 February 2022|url-status=live}}{{cite web |title=Religious Discrimination Bill 2022 |url=https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/Bills_Search_Results/Result?bId=r6821 |publisher=Australian Parliament |access-date=10 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220209102456/http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/Bills_Search_Results/Result?bId=r6821 |archive-date=9 February 2022 |url-status=live}}

= Electoral Reforms =

In Late 2021 the government had plans for a Voter ID Law, the electoral committee had recommended it after the 2013, 2016 and 2019 elections. Under the proposed voter integrity bill, a voter unable to produce ID can still vote if their identity can be verified by another voter, or by casting a declaration vote, which requires further details such as date of birth and a signature. One Nation leader, Pauline Hanson, has claimed credit for the Coalition's voter integrity bill, saying she made voter identification a condition for her support.{{cite web|url = https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/voter-id-laws-on-the-cards-ahead-of-next-federal-election-20211027-p593qc.html|title = Voter ID laws on the cards ahead of next federal election|date = 27 October 2021|access-date = 24 November 2021|archive-date = 24 November 2021|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20211124092335/https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/voter-id-laws-on-the-cards-ahead-of-next-federal-election-20211027-p593qc.html|url-status = live}}{{cite web|url = https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/oct/28/i-understand-the-need-centre-alliance-could-offer-crucial-support-for-coalitions-controversial-voter-id-laws|title = Pauline Hanson claims credit for Coalition's controversial voter ID laws|website = TheGuardian.com|date = 28 October 2021|access-date = 24 November 2021|archive-date = 10 May 2024|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20240510070836/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/oct/28/i-understand-the-need-centre-alliance-could-offer-crucial-support-for-coalitions-controversial-voter-id-laws|url-status = live}} The Labor party and the Greens were opposed to the Voter ID bill, forcing the government to approach the remaining crossbench senators – Griff Stirling, Rex Patrick and Jacqui Lambie – to try and pass the bill. After Senator Patrick came out against the Bill, calling it "a solution looking for a problem"{{cite web|url = https://www.sbs.com.au/news/proposed-voter-id-laws-a-solution-looking-for-a-problem-senator-rex-patrick-says/b7387e4d-1e0e-4c1a-8459-25b05bb0813a|title = Proposed voter ID laws a 'solution looking for a problem', Senator Rex Patrick says|website = sbs.com.au|date = 1 November 2021|access-date = 7 February 2022|archive-date = 7 February 2022|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220207232621/https://www.sbs.com.au/news/proposed-voter-id-laws-a-solution-looking-for-a-problem-senator-rex-patrick-says/b7387e4d-1e0e-4c1a-8459-25b05bb0813a|url-status = live}} and Senator Lambie announced her intention to vote against the bill siting more time was required to consider the bill, the government announced that they would defer the issue until after the election.{{cite web|url = https://www.sbs.com.au/news/government-drops-push-to-pass-controversial-voter-id-bill-ahead-of-next-election/bfc1e8a7-5498-417a-bcbf-ef49dbc5b232|title = Government drops push to pass controversial voter ID bill ahead of next election|website = sbs.com.au|date = 1 December 2021|access-date = 7 February 2022|archive-date = 10 May 2024|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20240510070630/https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/government-drops-push-to-pass-controversial-voter-id-bill-ahead-of-next-election/wif6f7fu1|url-status = live}}{{cite web|url = https://www.themandarin.com.au/176842-government-drops-bid-to-pass-voter-id-laws-before-next-election/|title = Government drops bid to pass voter ID laws before next election|website = themandarin.com.au|date = 2 December 2021|access-date = 7 February 2022|archive-date = 7 February 2022|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220207232623/https://www.themandarin.com.au/176842-government-drops-bid-to-pass-voter-id-laws-before-next-election/|url-status = live}}

Also The government had In August 2021, the Electoral Legislation Amendment (Party Registration Integrity) Bill 2021 legislation which passed. The bill that made the rules surrounding the registration of political parties stricter. The membership requirements for a party was increased from 500 to 1500, and parties could not have names that were too similar to political parties registered before them.{{cite news |title=Changes to federal election rules including party sizes and names pass Parliament |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-08-26/federal-election-rule-change-party-size-name-pass-parliament/100410134 |last=Lowrey |first=Tom |access-date=5 January 2022 |work=ABC News |date=26 August 2021 |language=en-AU |archive-date=5 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220105101844/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-08-26/federal-election-rule-change-party-size-name-pass-parliament/100410134 |url-status=live }} The tightening of party registration rules was reportedly due to an increase of parties on the Senate ballot, which resulted in the requirement of magnifying sheets for some voters to read the ballot, and a perception that voters would be misled by names of some minor parties.

= Industrial relations =

The government introduced legislation that would tighten the rules around the behaviours of unions and their officials. The legislation, named the Ensuring Integrity Bill, would allow automatic disqualifications of "registered organisations" and grant the Federal Court the power to prevent officials from holding office in certain circumstances and broaden the court's power to order remedial action with respect to union disputes and governance.{{cite web|url=https://au.finance.yahoo.com/news/ensuring-integrity-bill-how-it-affects-you-010857862.html|work=Yahoo Finance|date=25 September 2019|title=What is the Ensuring Integrity Bill, and how will it affect me?|access-date=28 November 2019|archive-date=10 May 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240510070840/https://au.finance.yahoo.com/news/ensuring-integrity-bill-how-it-affects-you-010857862.html|url-status=live}} Trade union groups, Labor and the Greens opposed the bill, saying it was "contrary to international law and Australia’s commitments" and "hostile to the interests of working people". Industry groups and the Business Council of Australia argued the bill would "raise standards of conduct in the system" and would enforce penalties against "recalcitrant organisations".

The legislation passed the House of Representatives where the government had a majority, though failed to pass the Senate in late November 2019, after the third reading was deadlocked at 34-34 votes.{{cite web|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-11-28/ensuring-integrity-union-busting-bill-senate/11745678|title=Federal Government's crackdown on unions rejected by Senate after One Nation sides with Opposition|date=28 November 2019|work=ABC News|access-date=28 November 2019|archive-date=28 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191128220511/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-11-28/ensuring-integrity-union-busting-bill-senate/11745678|url-status=live}} The votes of crossbench Senators Jacqui Lambie and Pauline Hanson were crucial to the outcome, with the government having brought the legislation to a vote under the impression Hanson and her One Nation party colleague would support the bill. The government responded by refusing to rule out the possibility of bringing back the legislation at a later date if it felt it could command newfound support in the Senate.

= 2019–20 Bushfires =

The 2019–20 Australian bushfire season followed a long drought and witnessed one of the most prolonged and severe bushfire emergencies in Australian history. Fires commenced in Queensland and New South Wales in September 2019.[https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/6574563/australias-2019-20-bushfire-season/ Australia's 2019–20 bushfire season] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220226215107/https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/6574563/australias-2019-20-bushfire-season/ |date=26 February 2022 }}; The Canberra Times; 10 January 2020 While touring bushfire hit communities in Queensland on 13 September, Morrison announced that people affected by the fires would be eligible for additional financial assistance of up to 13 weeks of support payments equivalent to the maximum rate of the Newstart Allowance.[https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/national/queensland/i-see-great-sadness-and-indomitable-spirit-morrison-tours-fire-zone-20190913-p52r53.html 'I see great sadness and indomitable spirit': Morrison tours fire zone] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220219083809/https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/national/queensland/i-see-great-sadness-and-indomitable-spirit-morrison-tours-fire-zone-20190913-p52r53.html |date=19 February 2022 }}; 13 September 2019 By November, fires had ignited in all states, and the severity of the fires worsened through December. On 11 December the Morrison government committed an $11 million grant to the National Aerial Firefighting Centre (NAFC), which coordinates the air fleet of federal, state and territory governments.[https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-12-12/federal-government-announces-aerial-firefighting-boost/11790862 Federal Government announces $11m aerial firefighting boost after calls for more water-bombers] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240510070840/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-12-12/federal-government-announces-aerial-firefighting-boost/11790862 |date=10 May 2024 }}; abc.net.au, 12 December 2019 On 4 January, the Prime Minister confirmed that the grant would become a permanent annual increase, and committed $20m to lease four extra large air tankers to combat the fires.[https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2020/jan/04/australian-pm-scott-morrison-agrees-to-permanently-increase-aerial-firefighting-funding Australian PM Scott Morrison agrees to permanently increase aerial firefighting funding] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240510070845/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2020/jan/04/australian-pm-scott-morrison-agrees-to-permanently-increase-aerial-firefighting-funding |date=10 May 2024 }}; theguardian.com.au; 4 January 2020

On Christmas Eve 2019 the government granted public service volunteer firefighters an extra four weeks paid leave, and committed up to $6000 for volunteers from the private sector on 26 December. The government also announced on 26 December an additional deployment of Australian Defence Force (ADF) assistance, with specialist defence personnel being sent to advise NSW fire incident controllers at the 14 control centres around the state, to free up ADF resources such as bulldozers, bulk water carriers and troops for firefighting use. The fresh deployment joined ADF personnel already providing helicopter search and rescue, transport, accommodation, meals and refuelling to the firefighting effort.[https://7news.com.au/news/bushfires/govt-extends-adf-support-to-nsw-fireys-c-622338 Government extends army support to NSW firies] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220219083808/https://7news.com.au/news/bushfires/govt-extends-adf-support-to-nsw-fireys-c-622338 |date=19 February 2022 }}; 7news.com.au; 27 December 2019 On 4 January the government announced the call up of an additional 3000 Army reservists to help with bushfire recovery efforts, along with the opening of defence force bases for emergency short-term accommodation, and the deployment of defence aircraft to assist in firefighting and HMAS Adelaide, to sit off the coast should it be required to help with evacuations.[https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-01-04/australia-defence-reservists-to-help-in-bushfire-recovery/11840764 Bushfire response to be boosted by deployment of 3,000 ADF reservists, Prime Minister announces] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220219083810/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-01-04/australia-defence-reservists-to-help-in-bushfire-recovery/11840764 |date=19 February 2022 }}; abc.net.au; 4 June 2020 On 9 January Morrison committed $2 billion to a national bushfire recovery fund.

The extent of the bushfires led to controversy over the federal response to the fires and its policies on reducing or adapting to climate change, after ministers initially downplayed the severity of the crisis.{{cite news | url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-australia-50737887 | title=Why Australia's PM is facing climate anger amid bushfires | date=20 December 2019 | work=BBC News | access-date=7 February 2020 | archive-date=21 December 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191221172353/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-australia-50737887 | url-status=live }} On 20 December Morrison cut short a family holiday to Hawaii after four days, amid an outcry that he had left the country during a crisis.[https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-12-20/scott-morrison-deeply-regret-holiday-returns-to-australia/11817084 Scott Morrison to end Hawaii holiday early, says he 'deeply regrets' any offence caused over leave] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220219083808/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-12-20/scott-morrison-deeply-regret-holiday-returns-to-australia/11817084 |date=19 February 2022 }}; abc.net.au; 19 December 2019

= Sports rorts scandal =

The "sports rorts" affair led to the resignation of Bridget McKenzie from the cabinet. The subsequent election of a new deputy leader of the National Party turned into the 2020 National Party of Australia leadership spill when Barnaby Joyce unsuccessfully challenged for the leadership.{{citation needed|date=December 2020}} McKenzie was reappointed to the cabinet 17 months later.

A report by Phil Gaetjens, the Secretary of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet and Morrison's former chief-of-staff, found that the allocation of grants was not politically motivated, but that McKenzie had breached ministerial standards by allocating a grant to a gun club which she was a member of. The Gaetjens report was not released, with Senate leader Mathias Cormann claiming public interest immunity.{{cite web|url=https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/6619552/coalition-claims-public-interest-immunity-on-gaetjens-report/|title=Coalition claims public interest immunity on Gaetjens report|date=7 February 2020|access-date=3 March 2020|archive-date=3 March 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200303221952/https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/6619552/coalition-claims-public-interest-immunity-on-gaetjens-report/|url-status=live}} Morrison maintained at this time that the grants program was not politically motivated, and that all projects that were funded were eligible,{{Cite news|url = https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-02-16/sports-grants-saga-scott-morrison-will-need-to-change-tack/11965288|title = In a sea of political grief, Scott Morrison held on to this one thing|newspaper = ABC News|date = 15 February 2020|access-date = 3 March 2020|archive-date = 2 March 2020|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200302110828/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-02-16/sports-grants-saga-scott-morrison-will-need-to-change-tack/11965288|url-status = live}} disputing the Auditor-General's report, which found that 43% of projects funded were ineligible, and that the grants program disproportionately favoured marginal and target seats.{{cite web|url = https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2020/feb/13/sports-rorts-almost-half-projects-funded-ineligible-audit-office-says|title = Sports rorts: Almost half the projects funded were ineligible, audit office says|website = TheGuardian.com|date = 13 February 2020|access-date = 3 March 2020|archive-date = 10 May 2024|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20240510070720/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2020/feb/13/sports-rorts-almost-half-projects-funded-ineligible-audit-office-says|url-status = live}} It was later found that the offices of Bridget McKenzie and Scott Morrison exchanged 136 emails concerning the sports grants,{{cite web|url = https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/6649876/prime-ministers-office-exchanged-136-emails-about-sport-rorts/|title = Prime Minister's office exchanged 136 emails about sport rorts|date = 26 February 2020|access-date = 3 March 2020|archive-date = 3 March 2020|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200303215950/https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/6649876/prime-ministers-office-exchanged-136-emails-about-sport-rorts/|url-status = live}} and McKenzie breached caretaker convention to make changes to the list of projects to be funded after the election was called, in at least one instance at the direction of the Prime Minister's Office.{{Cite news|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-03-03/govt-added-projects-to-sports-rorts-list-after-calling-election/12019326|title=Labor says Morrison 'caught red handed' in 'sports rorts' scandal|newspaper=ABC News|date=2 March 2020|access-date=3 March 2020|archive-date=10 May 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240510070636/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-03-03/govt-added-projects-to-sports-rorts-list-after-calling-election/12019326|url-status=live}} Morrison denies involvement.{{citation needed|date=December 2020}}

= Coronavirus =

{{Main|COVID-19 pandemic in Australia}}{{Cleanup section|date=October 2021|reason=Out of date information and long, hard-to-read sentences.}}

The Morrison government announced an economic stimulus package to combat the effects of coronavirus on the economy.{{cite web |url=https://treasury.gov.au/coronavirus |title=Economic Response to COVID-19 |publisher=Treasury.gov.au |date= |accessdate=2022-04-14 |archive-date=18 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200318012821/https://treasury.gov.au/coronavirus |url-status=live }}

On 12 March 2020 the government announced a {{currency|17.6|AUD}} billion stimulus package, the first since the 2008 financial crisis.{{cite news |url=https://www.liberal.org.au/latest-news/2020/03/12/economic-stimulus-package|title=Economic Stimulus Package|date=12 March 2020|access-date=20 March 2020|website=www.liberal.org.au|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200320145833/https://www.liberal.org.au/latest-news/2020/03/12/economic-stimulus-package|archive-date=20 March 2020|url-status=live}}{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2020/mar/12/what-australian-governments-coronavirus-stimulus-package-means-for-you-explainer|newspaper=The Guardian|date=12 March 2020|access-date=20 March 2020 |first=Sarah|last=Martin|title=What the Australian government's $17bn coronavirus stimulus package means for you|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200320041121/https://www.theguardian.com/business/2020/mar/12/what-australian-governments-coronavirus-stimulus-package-means-for-you-explainer|archive-date=20 March 2020 |url-status=live}} The package consists of multiple parts, a one-off A$750 payment to around 6.5 million welfare recipients as early as 31 March 2020, small business assistance with 700,000 grants up to $25,000 and a 50% wage subsidy for 120,000 apprenticies or trainees for up to 9 months, $1 billion to support economically impacted sectors, regions and communities, and $700 million to increase tax write off and $3.2 billion to support short-term small and medium-sized business investment.{{cite web|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-03-11/australia-unveils-stimulus-plan-to-buttress-economy-from-virus|title=Australia Unveils A$17.6 Billion in Stimulus to Combat Virus|newspaper=Bloomberg|date=11 March 2020|access-date=20 March 2020|first1=Jason|last1=Scott |first2=Alexandra|last2=Alexandra Veroude|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200320145822/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-03-11/australia-unveils-stimulus-plan-to-buttress-economy-from-virus|archive-date=20 March 2020|url-status=live}}

On 30 March the Australian Government announced a $130 billion "JobKeeper" wage subsidy program, Scott Morrison later admitted there was a [https://www.pm.gov.au/media/doorstop-murrumbateman-nsw $60 billion] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220114044828/https://www.pm.gov.au/media/doorstop-murrumbateman-nsw |date=14 January 2022 }} error in the calculation.{{cite web|title=Doorstop – Murrumbateman NSW {{!}} Prime Minister of Australia|url=https://www.pm.gov.au/media/doorstop-murrumbateman-nsw|access-date=2022-01-14|website=www.pm.gov.au|archive-date=14 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220114044828/https://www.pm.gov.au/media/doorstop-murrumbateman-nsw|url-status=dead}} The JobKeeper program would pay employers up to $1500 a fortnight per full-time, part-time or casual employee that has worked for that business for over a year. For a business to be eligible, they must have lost 30% of turnover after 1 March of annual revenue up to and including $1 billion. For businesses with a revenue of over $1 billion, turnover must have decreased by 50%. Businesses are then required by law to pay the subsidy to their staff, in lieu of their usual wages.{{cite news |title=Federal Government offers $130b in coronavirus wage subsidies for businesses to pay workers |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-03-30/coronavirus-wage-subsidies-government-businesses-workers/12103108 |access-date=30 March 2020 |work=ABC News |publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |date=30 March 2020 |ref=JobKeeper |archive-date=31 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200331020857/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-03-30/coronavirus-wage-subsidies-government-businesses-workers/12103108 |url-status=live }} This response came after the enormous job losses seen just a week prior when an estimated 1 million Australians lost their jobs. This massive loss in jobs caused the myGov website to crash and lines out of Centrelink offices to run hundreds of metres long.{{cite news |title=Print Email Facebook Twitter More People urged to go home as lines form around Centrelink offices due to coronavirus, Stuart Robert admits not anticipating MyGov demand |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-03-24/centrelink-minister-stuart-robert-not-anticipate-coronavirus/12080612 |access-date=31 March 2020 |work=ABC News |publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |date=25 March 2020 |ref=long-lines |archive-date=31 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200331051852/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-03-24/centrelink-minister-stuart-robert-not-anticipate-coronavirus/12080612 |url-status=live }} The program was backdated to 1 March, to aim at reemploying the many people who had just lost their jobs in the weeks before. Businesses would receive the JobKeeper subsidy for 6 months.

The announcement of the JobKeeper wage subsidy program is the largest measure announced by the Australian Government in response to the economic impact of the COVID-19 Outbreak. In the first hour of the scheme, over 8,000 businesses registered to receive the payments. The JobKeeper wage subsidy program is one of the largest economic packages ever implemented in the history of Australia.

In September 2020 the Australian Government passed changes to "JobKeeper" wage subsidy program. From 28 September, the payment will fall to $1,200 a fortnight, followed by a further drop at the beginning of January 2021 to $1,000.{{Cite news|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-09-01/coronavirus-jobkeeper-changes-pass-parliament/12616658|title=JobKeeper changes are now set in stone — here's what you need to know|newspaper=ABC News|date=September 2020|access-date=3 September 2020|archive-date=3 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200903162723/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-09-01/coronavirus-jobkeeper-changes-pass-parliament/12616658|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://au.finance.yahoo.com/news/jobkeeper-20-passes-senate-045649845.html|title=$300 gone: JobKeeper changes to come into effect|access-date=3 September 2020|archive-date=3 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200903173708/https://au.finance.yahoo.com/news/jobkeeper-20-passes-senate-045649845.html|url-status=live}} Morrison promised in September 2020 that Australians stranded overseas would be “home by Christmas“, without consulting the rest of government.{{cite news |title=Scott Morrison's 2020 'home by Christmas' pledge to stranded Australians made before discussion within government, report finds |url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2022/jun/21/scott-morrisons-2020-home-by-christmas-pledge-to-stranded-australians-made-before-discussion-within-government-report-finds |work=the Guardian |date=21 June 2022 |language=en |access-date=21 June 2022 |archive-date=10 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240510071534/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2022/jun/21/scott-morrisons-2020-home-by-christmas-pledge-to-stranded-australians-made-before-discussion-within-government-report-finds |url-status=live }}

= Parliamentary workplace culture & sexual assault allegations =

During the term of the Morrison government, allegations of misconduct by Parliamentary members and staffers of the government, Opposition and cross benchers became a matter of intense scrutiny, as part of wider societal debate on the topic of the eradication of bullying, sexual harassment and sexual assault. These events led to widespread debate and demonstrations against mistreatment of women in Parliamentary workplace culture, as well as to debates about media coverage and due process.[https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/the-fallout-from-a-public-show-trial-probing-rape-claim-would-haunt-us-all-20210302-p576zf.html The fallout from a public show trial probing rape claim would haunt us all] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210415010553/https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/the-fallout-from-a-public-show-trial-probing-rape-claim-would-haunt-us-all-20210302-p576zf.html |date=15 April 2021 }}; smh.com.au; Mar 2, 2021[https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/porter-v-shorten-will-labor-risk-mutually-assured-destruction-20210311-p579wv.html Porter v Shorten: will Labor risk mutually assured destruction?] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210415010553/https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/porter-v-shorten-will-labor-risk-mutually-assured-destruction-20210311-p579wv.html |date=15 April 2021 }}; www.smh.com.au; Mar 12, 2021[https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/mar/14/female-labor-staffers-share-details-of-workplace-sexual-harassment-and-abuse Media Female Labor staffers share details of workplace sexual harassment and abuse] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240510071434/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/mar/14/female-labor-staffers-share-details-of-workplace-sexual-harassment-and-abuse |date=10 May 2024 }}; www.theguardian.com; 14 Mar, 2021

; Independent Review into Commonwealth Parliamentary Workplaces

On 5 March 2021, the Morrison government established the Independent Review into Commonwealth Parliamentary Workplaces, with support from the Opposition and crossbench. The review was conducted by the Australian Human Rights Commission and led by the Sex Discrimination Commission. The Review's Terms of Reference asked for recommendations to ensure that Commonwealth parliamentary workplaces were safe and respectful, reflecting best practice in the prevention and handling of bullying, sexual harassment and sexual assault.[https://humanrights.gov.au/CPWReview Independent Review into Commonwealth Parliamentary Workplaces] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220403084803/https://humanrights.gov.au/CPWReview |date=3 April 2022 }}; Australian Human Rights Commission; 8 Feb 2022 The report found that men in parliament were "more likely to perpetrate sexual harassment, while women were more likely to bully".[https://humanrights.gov.au/sites/default/files/2021-11/ahrc_set_the_standard_report_executive_summary_2021.pdf Set the Standard: Report on the Independent Review into Commonwealth Parliamentary Workplaces (2021): Executive Summary] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240510072235/https://humanrights.gov.au/sites/default/files/2021-11/ahrc_set_the_standard_report_executive_summary_2021.pdf |date=10 May 2024 }}; humanrights.gov.au On 8 February 2022, the Parliament issued a Statement of Acknowledgement of an "unacceptable history of workplace bullying, sexual harassment and sexual assault in Commonwealth Parliamentary Workplaces" which committed the Parliament to "continuing to build safe and respectful workplaces."[https://humanrights.gov.au/sites/default/files/parliament_statement_of_acknowledgement_2022_0.pdf Parliament of Australia: Statement of Acknowledgment 8 Feb 2022] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220208060348/https://humanrights.gov.au/sites/default/files/parliament_statement_of_acknowledgement_2022_0.pdf |date=8 February 2022 }}; humanrights.gov.au

; Rape allegations

Two separate historical rape allegations became public in February 2021, one regarding the alleged conduct of the Morrison government's Attorney General Christian Porter when he was a child, and one regarding the alleged rape of a female Liberal staffer by a male staffer in the office of the Defence Minister Linda Reynolds after hours, in the lead up to the 2019 election campaign.{{cite news|work=British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-australia-56178290|title=How rape allegations have rocked Australian politics|date=2 March 2021|access-date=3 March 2021|archive-date=4 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210304032643/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-australia-56178290|url-status=live}} The allegations followed a similar allegation against the former Labor Opposition Leader Bill Shorten, and emerged as female Labor staffers were also coming forward with allegations of sexual harassment and abuse by some male Labor colleagues in the workplace.

Claims of "workplace harassment", "systemic misogyny" and "victim blaming" in Parliament were widely aired.{{cite news|title=Brittany Higgins accuses prime minister of using 'victim-blaming rhetoric' after alleged rape|url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/feb/17/brittany-higgins-accuses-prime-minister-of-using-victim-blaming-rhetoric-after-alleged|date=17 February 2021|access-date=1 March 2021|work=The Guardian|archive-date=28 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210228224622/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/feb/17/brittany-higgins-accuses-prime-minister-of-using-victim-blaming-rhetoric-after-alleged|url-status=live}}

On 15 February 2021, Brittany Higgins, a former staffer in the office of Defence Minister Linda Reynolds came forward in the media with an allegation that, in March 2019, she had been raped by a male staffer in the office of the Defence Minister after being taken their after hours following a heavy drinking session.[https://www.news.com.au/national/politics/parliament-house-rocked-by-brittany-higgins-alleged-rape/news-story/fb02a5e95767ac306c51894fe2d63635 Young staffer Brittany Higgins says she was raped at Parliament House] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210302172748/https://www.news.com.au/national/politics/parliament-house-rocked-by-brittany-higgins-alleged-rape/news-story/fb02a5e95767ac306c51894fe2d63635 |date=2 March 2021 }}; www.news.com.au; Feb 15, 2021 Higgins took the matter to police on 24 February, and investigations are ongoing.[https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-02-24/brittany-higgins-makes-formal-police-complaint-alleged-rape/13189046 Brittany Higgins makes formal police complaint about alleged rape at Parliament House] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240510072639/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-02-24/brittany-higgins-makes-formal-police-complaint-alleged-rape/13189046 |date=10 May 2024 }}; www.abc.net.au; 24 Feb, 2021 Higgins said the support offered by her Liberal bosses had been inadequate after the alleged rape.[https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-02-24/linda-reynolds-hospital-cardiologist-leave-brittany-higgins/13186452 Defence Minister Linda Reynolds admitted to hospital amid Brittany Higgins rape allegation scandal] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210223235653/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-02-24/linda-reynolds-hospital-cardiologist-leave-brittany-higgins/13186452 |date=23 February 2021 }}; www.abc.net.au; 24 FebFebruary 2021

After the ABC had announced that a "cabinet minister" was the subject of rape allegations, Attorney-General Christian Porter came forward on 3 March 2021, to confirm that he had been the subject of the allegation that in 1988, when he was a 17-year-old boy, he had raped a 16-year-old girl. He denied the allegation. The woman who had made the allegation committed suicide in June 2020. NSW police pronounced the matter closed on the basis of "insufficient admissible evidence to proceed".[https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/nsw-police-close-case-on-rape-allegation-against-cabinet-minister-20210302-p57739.html NSW Police close case on rape allegation against cabinet minister] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210415012756/https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/nsw-police-close-case-on-rape-allegation-against-cabinet-minister-20210302-p57739.html |date=15 April 2021 }}; smh.com.au; Mar 2, 2021 Porter is currently suing the ABC for defamation, and the matter remains ongoing.[https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-03-15/abc-christian-porter-sued-allegations-defamation/13248408 Attorney-General Christian Porter launches defamation action against ABC] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210315090124/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-03-15/abc-christian-porter-sued-allegations-defamation/13248408 |date=15 March 2021 }}; abc.net.au; 15 MarMarch 2021 The ABC campaigned strongly for the removal of the Attorney General. ABC political correspondent Laura Tingle argued in an 3 March editorial for the 7:30 program that it did not matter if he been found guilty of a crime beyond reasonable doubt, but that "perception" was sufficient for his removal. She dismissed comparisons made by Porter to Labor leader Bill Shorten.[https://www.abc.net.au/7.30/christian-porter-strenuously-denies-historical/13213490 Christian Porter strenuously denies historical rape allegation] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240510072724/https://www.abc.net.au/news/programs/730 |date=10 May 2024 }}; abc.net.au; Wed 3 Mar 2021

An Essential poll found that 65% of respondents (including 76% of Labor supporters, 51% of Coalition supporters and 88% of Greens supporters) said that the government was more interested in protecting itself than women.{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/mar/02/two-thirds-of-australians-think-government-more-interested-in-protecting-itself-than-women-poll |last=Hurst |first=Daniel |title=Two-thirds of Australians think government more interested in protecting itself than women – poll |website=The Guardian |date=2 March 2021 |access-date=3 March 2021 |archive-date=3 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210303080023/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/mar/02/two-thirds-of-australians-think-government-more-interested-in-protecting-itself-than-women-poll |url-status=live }}

As well as the Labor and Greens parties, the government faced criticism from within its own party. Former Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, who had been made aware of the allegations against Porter in 2019, criticised him for taking too long to come forward.{{cite web |url=https://www.news.com.au/finance/work/at-work/former-pm-malcolm-turnbull-says-scott-morrisons-response-to-historic-rape-allegation-involving-cabinet-minister-is-not-good-enough/news-story/aad008fee340b8b9d311eb0e8f40adbf |title=Former PM Malcolm Turnbull says Scott Morrison's response to historic rape allegation involving cabinet minister is 'not good enough' |website=News.com.au |date=2 March 2021 |access-date=4 March 2021 |archive-date=5 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210305230913/https://www.news.com.au/finance/work/at-work/former-pm-malcolm-turnbull-says-scott-morrisons-response-to-historic-rape-allegation-involving-cabinet-minister-is-not-good-enough/news-story/aad008fee340b8b9d311eb0e8f40adbf |url-status=live }} Former Prime Minister John Howard, however, defended Morrison's decision not to open an independent inquiry into Porter's conduct.{{cite web |url=https://www.2gb.com/john-howard-backs-prime-ministers-handling-of-christian-porter-allegation/ |last=Fordham |first=Ben |title=John Howard backs Prime Minister's handling of Christian Porter allegation |website=2GB |date=4 March 2021 |access-date=4 March 2021 |archive-date=5 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210305152501/https://www.2gb.com/john-howard-backs-prime-ministers-handling-of-christian-porter-allegation/ |url-status=live }}

Australian of the Year and sexual assault survivor advocate Grace Tame also criticised Morrison's rhetoric. Tame lambasted at Morrison at her NPC address, criticising Morrison's use of the “as a father” phrase, as well as saying "It shouldn't take having children to have a conscience."{{cite web|url=https://www.sbs.com.au/news/grace-tame-tells-scott-morrison-having-children-doesn-t-guarantee-a-conscience|title=Grace Tame tells Scott Morrison 'having children doesn't guarantee a conscience'|access-date=6 March 2021|archive-date=4 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210304030628/https://www.sbs.com.au/news/grace-tame-tells-scott-morrison-having-children-doesn-t-guarantee-a-conscience|url-status=live}}

; Prima facie case on Christian Porter

In October 2021, the Morrison government successfully voted against sending government MP Christian Porter to the privileges committee regarding his blind trust. This vote was significant because the Speaker Tony Smith had determined there was a Prima facie case and in voting down the motion, the Morrison government became the first government to refuse a referral from the Speaker since Federation.{{cite web|url = https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/oct/20/government-defeats-labor-push-to-refer-christian-porter-to-privileges-committee-over-trust|title = Government blocks Labor push to investigate Christian Porter's blind trust|website = TheGuardian.com|date = 20 October 2021|access-date = 23 October 2021|archive-date = 21 October 2021|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20211021000627/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/oct/20/government-defeats-labor-push-to-refer-christian-porter-to-privileges-committee-over-trust|url-status = live}} The move from the government attracted significant criticism in the media.{{cite web |last1=Bath |first1=Gemma |title='A disgraceful, shameful moment.' This week, we witnessed exactly why we need a Federal ICAC. |url=https://www.mamamia.com.au/christian-porter-donation/ |website=MamaMia |date=21 October 2021 |access-date=24 October 2021 |archive-date=24 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211024140721/https://www.mamamia.com.au/christian-porter-donation/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |title=Coalition's protection of Porter defies logic and belief |url=https://canberratimes.com.au/story/7479372/govts-protection-of-porter-defies-belief/ |website=The Canberra Times |date=22 October 2021 |access-date=24 October 2021 |archive-date=24 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211024140721/https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/7479372/govts-protection-of-porter-defies-belief/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last1=Maley |first1=Jacqueline |title=A blind trust? Certainly, the government is keeping voters blind as to Porter's secret donors |url=https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/a-blind-trust-certainly-the-government-is-keeping-voters-blind-as-to-porter-s-secret-donors-20211022-p592du.html |website=The Age |date=23 October 2021 |publisher=Fairfax Media |access-date=24 October 2021 |archive-date=24 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211024011923/https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/a-blind-trust-certainly-the-government-is-keeping-voters-blind-as-to-porter-s-secret-donors-20211022-p592du.html |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last1=Lillywhite |first1=Serena |title=The government's move to block investigation of Porter donations is a nail in the coffin of integrity in politics |url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/oct/21/the-governments-move-to-block-investigation-of-porter-donations-is-a-nail-in-the-coffin-of-integrity-in-politics |website=The Guardian |date=21 October 2021 |access-date=24 October 2021 |archive-date=24 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211024052334/https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/oct/21/the-governments-move-to-block-investigation-of-porter-donations-is-a-nail-in-the-coffin-of-integrity-in-politics |url-status=live }}

Additionally, the Leader of the House Peter Dutton did not allow crossbench MPs remoting into Parliament (due to COVID) to vote on the motion even though the Senate allows voting in such a fashion. If MPs were permitted to vote remotely the vote likely would have ended in a tie, giving the Speaker the deciding vote.{{cite web|url = https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/7479403/why-cant-we-know-fury-over-porters-mystery-donations/|title = 'Why can't we know?' Fury over Porter's mystery donations|date = 21 October 2021|access-date = 23 October 2021|archive-date = 23 October 2021|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20211023074038/https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/7479403/why-cant-we-know-fury-over-porters-mystery-donations/|url-status = live}}

; Senator Kimberley Kitching

In March 2022, Labor Senator Kimberley Kitching died of a heart attack, aged 52. Journalists revealed that in the lead up to her death she had been seeking assistance for alleged bullying by senior Labor Senators Penny Wong, Kristina Keneally and Katy Gallagher. At the Senator's funeral, her husband said a "cantankerous cabal" had targeted the late Senator. Morrison called for Labor to conduct an investigation. Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese refused to open an investigation, citing "respect" for Kitching as the reason.[https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2022/mar/21/kimberley-kitching-funeral-husband-praises-labor-senators-thoughtfulness-and-addresses-cantankerous-cabal Kimberley Kitching funeral: Husband praises Labor senator’s thoughtfulness and criticises ‘cantankerous cabal’]; theguardian.com; 21 Mar, 2022

= Car park rorts affair =

The Morrison government was accused of ‘pork-barrelling’ over a $660 million commuter car park program that saw a large number of promised car parks targeted at Liberal Party held seats considered at risk in the 2019 election.{{cite news |last1=Wright |first1=Shane |last2=Curtis |first2=Katina |title=Stopping all marginal seats: A Melbourne guide to the car parks controversy |url=https://www.theage.com.au/politics/federal/stopping-all-marginal-seats-a-melbourne-guide-to-the-car-parks-controversy-20210722-p58bxm.html?btis |access-date=27 August 2021 |work=The Age |date=24 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210725074510/https://www.theage.com.au/politics/federal/stopping-all-marginal-seats-a-melbourne-guide-to-the-car-parks-controversy-20210722-p58bxm.html?btis |archive-date=25 July 2021|url-status=live}}

The Australian National Audit Office ‘found that the federal government cash splash was ‘not administered appropriately and that there was no consultation with state governments and councils about where the money was needed.'{{cite news |last1=Cowie |first1=Tom |title='It could never have been built': Labor pinpoints holes in the pork barrel |url=https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/it-could-never-have-been-built-labor-pinpoints-holes-in-the-pork-barrel-20210703-p586kd.html |access-date=27 August 2021 |work=Sydney Morning Herald |date=3 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210722092956/https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/it-could-never-have-been-built-labor-pinpoints-holes-in-the-pork-barrel-20210703-p586kd.html |archive-date=22 July 2021|url-status=live}} It further found that 'there is little evidence to demonstrate that the selection of commuter car park projects was based on assessed merit against the investment principles or achievement of the policy objective.'{{cite news |last1=Cowburn |first1=Brodie |title=Car parking promises 'not appropriate' – audit |url=http://baysidenews.com.au/2021/07/05/car-parking-promises-not-appropriate-audit/ |access-date=27 August 2021 |work=Bayside News |date=5 July 2021}} This led to claims that the government's commuter car park program was an example of 'pork-barelling',{{cite news |last1=Willingham |first1=Richard |title=Allegations of pork barrelling as car parks promised in 2019 federal election lead-up ditched |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-05-18/victoria-car-park-projects-pork-barrelling-allegations/100146922 |access-date=27 August 2021 |work=ABC News |date=18 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210821072247/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-05-18/victoria-car-park-projects-pork-barrelling-allegations/100146922 |archive-date=21 August 2021|url-status=live}} which was amplified after a number of the proposed car parks were found to be unsuitable and cancelled.

= Internal criticism =

Prime Minister Scott Morrison was subject to internal criticism when texts from his Coalition colleagues were leaked in January and February 2022. In January 2022, texts from a senior cabinet minister in the Morrison government, sent to former NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian were revealed, where the minister labelled the Prime Minister a “horrible, horrible person” and a “complete psycho”.{{cite web|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-02-02/senior-nsw-liberals-distance-themselves-from-leaked-texts/100797718 |title=Ministers deny role in leaked text exchange between Gladys Berejiklian and mystery MP – ABC News |publisher=Amp.abc.net.au |date=2022-02-02 |accessdate=2022-04-14}}

This was soon followed by leaked texts sent from Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce, who in March 2021 labelled the Prime Minister “a hypocrite and a liar” in text messages. Joyce offered his resignation to the Prime Minister but the offer was declined.{{cite web|url=https://www.9news.com.au/national/barnaby-joyce-calls-scott-morrison-hypocrite-liar-in-text-message-to-brittany-higgins/8a4d802b-89ab-4236-aa1d-e5b651f1957e |title=Deputy Prime Minister says he offered his resignation following leaked texts |publisher=Amp.9news.com.au |date=2021-03-22 |accessdate=2022-04-14}}

In 2022, New South Wales state MP Catherine Cusack accused Morrison of politicising the Lismore floods and not doing enough to assist flood relief.{{cite web|url=https://www.smh.com.au/national/the-race-card-with-a-twist-towke-turned-the-table-on-morrison-and-it-hurt-20220408-p5ac2j.html |title=The race card with a twist: Towke turned the table on Morrison, and it hurt |publisher=Amp.smh.com.au |date=2022-04-09 |accessdate=2022-04-14}} Sitting Liberal Senator Concetta Fierravanti-Wells accused Morrison of being “unfit for office", an "autocrat", and a "bully" with "no moral compass". She also suggested Scott Morrison "has used his so-called faith as a marketing advantage".{{cite web|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-03-31/budget-fierravanti-wells-surprise-cameo-darwin-port/100952464 |title=Concetta Fierravanti-Wells gave Scott Morrison a budget night shock — but he has his own surprise to come – ABC News |publisher=Amp.abc.net.au |date= |accessdate=2022-04-14}}

= Cabinet appointments =

In August 2022, it was revealed that Prime Minister Scott Morrison had secretly been appointed to six ministerial roles: Treasurer, Health Minister, Minister for Industry, Science and Energy, Minister for Resources, Minister for Finance and Minister for Public Service. His colleagues say that they were unaware of his "secret appointments".

2022 federal election

The 2022 federal election was called by Morrison on 10 April 2022, when he visited the Governor-General advising the latter to prorogue Parliament and dissolve the House of Representatives. The Governor-General accepted Morrison's recommendations, as is the custom in Australia's Westminster system of government.{{cite web|url=https://www.gg.gov.au/sites/default/files/2022-04/20220410%20Documents%20relating%20to%20the%20calling%20of%20the%202022%20Federal%20Election.pdf|title=Documents relating to the calling of the 2022 Federal Election|work=Governor-General of Australia|date=10 April 2022|access-date=11 April 2022|archive-date=11 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220411003642/https://www.gg.gov.au/sites/default/files/2022-04/20220410%20Documents%20relating%20to%20the%20calling%20of%20the%202022%20Federal%20Election.pdf|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/C2022G00298|title=Proclamation – Prorogue the Parliament and dissolve the House of Representatives – 11 April 2022|work=Federal Register of Legislation|publisher=Australian Government|date=11 April 2022|access-date=12 April 2022|archive-date=26 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220426084950/https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/C2022G00298|url-status=live}} The Parliament was then prorogued and the House of Representatives dissolved the next morning.

The election was held on 21 May 2022.{{cite web|last1=Riga|first1=Jessica|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-04-10/federal-election-live-may-21-scott-morrison/100960362/|title=Prime Minister Scott Morrison announces May 21 election|publisher=ABC|date=10 April 2022|access-date=9 April 2022|archive-date=9 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220409231541/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-04-10/federal-election-live-may-21-scott-morrison/100960362|url-status=live}} As of 10:00PM AEST on election night, the Labor Party (led by Anthony Albanese) was projected to form a government by ABC News, although it was not clear whether they would have a majority or a minority.{{cite news|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-05-21/labor-anthony-albanese-projected-to-win-2022-federal-election/101084660 |title=With Anthony Albanese at the helm, Labor is projected to win 2022 federal election |publisher=ABC News |date=22 May 2022 |access-date=22 May 2022}} Notable outcomes included the popularity of community independents in several inner-city seats, costing Treasurer and Deputy Liberal Leader Josh Frydenberg his seat; a particularly sizable swing from the Coalition to Labor in Western Australia; and notably strong support for the Australian Greens in some inner-city Brisbane seats.

After the bulk of the votes had been counted and a Labor victory appeared inevitable, Morrison conceded the election, and then announced his intention to resign as the Liberal Party leader.{{Cite news |date=2022-05-21 |title=Live: Morrison calls Albanese to concede electoral defeat as Labor, independents unseat Coalition |language=en-AU |work=ABC News |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-05-21/federal-election-live-blog-scott-morrison-anthony-albanese/101085640 |access-date=2022-05-21}} The Coalition's loss was attributed to Morrison's unpopularity with voters and the popularity of centrist "teal independents" in certain inner-city electorates.{{cite web|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-05-21/election-2022-scott-morrison-loses-albanese/101087832|title=How Scott Morrison lost the election as Anthony Albanese triumphs in a sea of teal|work=ABC News|first=Patricia|last=Karvelas|date=21 May 2022|accessdate=21 May 2022}}{{cite web|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-05-21/wa-election-result-liberal-loss-alp-gain/101077652|title=Election 2022: WA sees huge swing away from the Liberals, with Swan, Pearce, Hasluck lost|work=ABC News|first=Andrea|last=Mayes|date=21 May 2022|accessdate=21 May 2022}} Albanese, who also made history as the first Italian-Australian to secure the position of Prime Minister,{{Cite news|url=https://www.nationalworld.com/news/world/australia-election-2022-who-anthony-albanese-prime-minister-sworn-in-scott-morrison-3703838|title=Australia election 2022: who is Anthony Albanese? New Prime Minister to be sworn in as Scott Morrison concedes|last=Sandercock|first=Henry|date=22 May 2022|work=National World|access-date=22 May 2022|language=en-GB}} was sworn in as the new Prime Minister of Australia on 23 May 2022.{{Cite news|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-05-21/labor-anthony-albanese-projected-to-win-2022-federal-election/101084660|title=With Anthony Albanese at the helm, Labor is projected to win 2022 federal election|last=Worthington|first=Brett|date=22 May 2022|work=The Guardian|access-date=22 May 2022|language=en-GB}}

References

= Notes =

Category:2020s in Australian politics

Category:Governments of Australia

Category:Scott Morrison