There is a time and a place for a smart-arse remark.
And during an interview about a man’s tragic decision to take his own life, is not it.
But that is exactly how Australia’s Immigration Minister, Scott Morrison, responded to a question from journalist Barry Cassidy on the ABC’s Insiders program yesterday. Here is what happened:
We understand that immigration policy in this country is a fraught and politically charged issue. The best way to ensure an orderly system of migration to Australia and to prevent further losses of life at sea is a contentious question and one that will probably remain contentious for many years to come.
But surely, surely, all of us can recognise our common humanity enough to approach the issue with compassion.
That is the very least that we are entitled to expect of our elected representatives.
Editorial note: There have been mixed reactions to this post, with some readers feeling firmly upset by what Minister Morrison said and others feeling he has been taken out of context.
Unfortunately we are unable to embed video from the ABC but if you would like to watch the clip in its entirety please go here. That was you can decide for yourself what the tone and intent of the comment was.
Watch the full video on the ABC website here. Morrison’s comments are at 9:06.
Top Comments
I agree with the idea that Morrison's comment was insensitive. I watched the video before reading this commentary or hearing any of the talk around the comment, and my first reaction was the same - did he really just say that? Did he really respond in such a literal manner, when clearly a more softened, compassionate response might have been more appropriate?
[My full response is here: http://jennygeale.wordpress...]
In doing a bit more reading about Mr Morrison, I also came across this article, which reminded me it's not the first time he has been accused of making insensitive / poorly timed remarks, in an effort to politicise issues rather than show some heart:
http://www.themonthly.com.a...
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"The more publicity that came Scott Morrison’s way, the more hardline he became. So much so that last February, on the morning when victims of the Christmas Island boat people tragedy were due to be buried in Sydney, he launched an ill-tempered attack on the government for paying for family members to make the long journey from Christmas Island. Among them was Madian El Ibrahimy, a detainee at the Indian Ocean detention centre, whose wife, Zman, four-year-old son, Nzar, and eight-month-old daughter, Zahra, had all died at sea.
“Do you think you run the risk of being seen as heartless on the day of these funerals to be saying — to be bickering over this money?” asked ABC reporter Barbara Miller, whose report that morning was broadcast on AM. Morrison replied: “When it comes to the question of do I think this is a reasonable cost then my honest answer is, ‘No, I don’t think it is reasonable.’”
Seasoned commentators struggled to recall a nastier instance of gutter politics from a senior politician since the heyday of Pauline Hanson. Labor accused him of “stealing soundbites from One Nation”.
Seemingly blindsided, Tony Abbott gave the remarks a lukewarm endorsement when he appeared on Andrew Bolt’s MTR radio program later that morning. “It does seem a bit unusual that the government is flying people to funerals,” said Abbott, though he cushioned his response with genuine sympathy for the survivors. Instead, it was left to Joe Hockey to condemn the remarks: “I would never seek to deny a parent or a child from saying goodbye to their relative.” Then came an acid shower of criticism from party elders. John Hewson called his comments “inhumane”. Malcolm Fraser was scornful: “I hope Scott Morrison is just a fringe element in the party.” More woundingly, Bruce Baird also slapped down his one-time protégé: “I’m very disappointed that Scott would make those comments. It is lacking in compassion at the very time when these people have been through such a traumatic event.”"
Scott Morrison, in his maiden speech in 2008, said, in part: "From my faith I derive the values of loving-kindness, justice and righteousness, to act with compassion and kindness, acknowledging our common humanity and to consider the welfare of others; to fight for a fair go for everyone to fulfil their human potential and to remove whatever unjust obstacles stand in their way, including diminishing their personal responsibility for their own wellbeing; and to do what is right, to respect the rule of law, the sanctity of human life and the moral integrity of marriage and the family. "
Scary, indeed, that he is a chest-beating Christian and acts out his Immigration Minister's role with nothing like the justice of his hero, Jesus.
He's not true to the principles he espouses.