After a tumultuous week for Australian politics that saw two separate attempts to seize leadership of the Liberal Party, inbound prime minister Scott Morrison gave his first address as the nation’s leader designate on Friday, August 24.
Morrison said he intended to bring the Liberal Party back together after they were “bruised and battered” by the events of the week, events that previous prime minister Malcolm Turnbull described in his final address as “madness.”
Morrison thanked Turnbull for his service and referred to him as a “dear friend,” adding that he and his new deputy Josh Frydenberg had remained loyal to Turnbull throughout the leadership crisis. He also thanked deputy prime minister Julie Bishop for being a “rockstar” for the Liberal Party as a foreign minister.
Morrison outlined three key priorities for his government: “keeping our economy strong, keeping Australians safe and keeping Australians together.” He also said he would work on electricity prices, the National Disability Insurance Scheme, healthcare, and small and medium-sized businesses.
He said his most immediate priority was to provide drought relief to rural and regional Australians. Credit: Australian Parliament House via Storyful
