Scott Morrison insists he’s not fussed about finding out which of his team called him a “complete psycho” in a leaked text exchange with former NSW premier Gladys Berejiklian.
The prime minister hasn’t spoken with Ms Berejiklian since the text messages between her and the unnamed cabinet minister were leaked.
“I haven’t had that opportunity. But I do welcome her very kind comments that she made yesterday, and that very much reflects the strong working relationship we’ve had,” he told reporters from the Richmond RAAF base on Wednesday.
The leaked messages reported by Ten Network show Ms Berejiklian labelling Morrison a “horrible, horrible person” who was “actively spreading lies” in texts with the federal cabinet minister.
“Lives are at stake today and he’s just obsessed with petty political point scoring,” she was reported to have said during the 2019/20 bushfire crisis.
The unnamed federal cabinet minister called Mr Morrison a “complete psycho”, and also described him as “desperate and jealous”.
“The mob have worked him out and think he’s a fraud,” the minister said.
When asked whether he was confident that minister was not currently sitting in his cabinet, Mr Morrison told reporters: “Yes.”
“I’m not fussed,” he said when asked if he had sought an investigation into their identity.
Mr Morrison was again pressed about what made him so sure the minister was not currently in federal cabinet.
“I have confidence,” he replied.
Ms Berejiklian earlier said she had no recollection of the text exchange and sought to reiterate “my very strong support for Prime Minister Morrison and all he is doing for our nation during these very challenging times”.
Home Affairs Minister Karen Andrews denied being the federal minister involved.
“I can definitely rule myself out. I certainly have said no such thing, and nor am I involved in any chat groups with the former premier of NSW either,” she told 4BC.
NSW Treasurer Matt Kean also insisted he “played no part in the ambush on the prime minister” when questioned on 2GB radio.
“It was not me and I’m quite frankly appalled by the whole episode,” he said.
Labor leader Anthony Albanese said it was an extraordinary text message exchange, coming at a time when the bushfires were having a devastating impact and people were concerned about the federal response.
“The statement from the former premier where she said, ‘Lives are at stake today and he’s just obsessed with petty political point-scoring’, I think is devastating,” he said.
“I think that alone is enough to disqualify him (Mr Morrison) from being someone who secures a second decade in office.”
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