Scott Morrison faces tough questions about sloppy preselections before embarrassing 'ni hao' gaffe

Updated

Galloping across the turf at Royal Randwick, the majestic mare Winx showed the athleticism and spirit she's become known for during her record-breaking career.

If only similar grace and skill was at play in the 2019 election campaign, with four late scratchings from the race to run the nation and an apology from a senior minister for taking the whip to his opponent over her disability.

One thing the 45th Parliament has taught the nation is to read the constitution if you want to be one of its members or senators.

Yet on day three of Australia Votes 2019, the Prime Minister was forced to face embarrassing questions about the sloppiness of preselections in the tricky state of Victoria.

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Three candidates are out after it became clear they had serious eligibility concerns, should they win the currently Labor-held seats of Lalor, Wills and Cooper.

Two are suspected dual nationals, and we all know they have no place on Capital Hill.

The other works for Australia Post, which could lead to allegations of holding an office of profit under the Crown — another constitutional no-no.

Sure, they weren't really in with a chance — the Greens are shorter odds in those three seats — but it's a mess.

The Prime Minister said that's why it's not a big deal, and turned to his announcement of more than $40 million for youth and indigenous mental health funding, with a particular focus on tackling troubling suicide rates.

"I will not rest until we beat this," he told reporters in Ashfield, joined by his wife Jenny.

Just hours later, his Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton took even more of the spotlight by finally apologising for suggesting the Labor challenger in his ultra-marginal Brisbane electorate was using her disability as an excuse for not yet moving into the seat.

Another mess.

Opposition Leader Bill Shorten was on the New South Wales central coast in the marginal Liberal seat of Robertson and continued the Dutton attack.

The Labor leader also had a health pitch, with almost $9 million for a new skin cancer awareness program.

"We don't have to be the skin cancer capital of the world," he said.

But Mr Shorten also faced distractions with his former member-turned-candidate Melissa Parke becoming a former candidate, withdrawing from the race for Curtin in WA because of comments she made about Israel.

Was she pushed out, Mr Shorten was asked. Of course not, he replied.

Messy.

And while he insists he doesn't agree with her "strong" views, he wouldn't go into specifics.

How the west was won

Dumplings are delicious. You don't necessarily know what goes into the mystery meat filling, but you don't care.

You get stuck in and enjoy that full feeling afterwards.

The Prime Minister certainly looked happy about his wholesome feast as he walked the streets of Strathfield, in the heart of the marginal seat of Reid in Sydney's west.

As he wandered down the road, surrounded by the Canberra Press Gallery, he appears to have misheard a local resident.

"Ni hao," he said in his best Chinese.

"I'm Korean," she responded, possibly prompting some prime ministerial dumpling-fuelled heartburn.

The Liberals hold the seat by a margin of 4.7 per cent, but the party's task of holding on to it come May 18 is made all the more difficult because of the retirement of current member Craig Laundy.

The Turnbull lieutenant is over politics and is calling time of his parliamentary career. He's a relatively popular local member and says he's campaigning with his replacement each and every day of the campaign.

"I know we have to hold this seat if we're to retain government," Mr Laundy told reporters following the PM as he ducked in and out of grocery stores and bakeries.

Three done in this campaign. Only 34 to go.





Topics: government-and-politics, bill-shorten, scott-morrison, federal-election, australia

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