Morrison grilled, Sunrise host apologises after Joyce, Plibersek 'train-wreck'
TV hosts Natalie Barr and Ally Langdon have gone head-to-head with Scott Morrison, Barnaby Joyce and Tanya Plibersek in two heated interviews on Monday morning.
In a heated debate with Today show host Ally Langdon on Monday morning, the prime minister defended his proposed housing policy, which would allow first home buyers to access 40 per cent of their superannuation — up to $50,000 — to buy a house.
Ms Langdon grilled Mr Morrison about why Liberal stalwarts like John Howard, Peter Costello and Malcolm Turnbull had rejected the policy previously.
The PM insisted Mr Howard thought it was “an absolutely fantastic” idea and that the move would “enable people to realise their aspiration”.
Mr Morrison went on to describe himself as a “strong leader” and “a bit of a bulldozer”, insisting that is what Australians need “to get through these difficult times”.
The comment appeared to irritate Ms Langdon, who questioned if the PM believes his country’s citizens were weak without his leadership.
“You've actually said, you've said during the pandemic, what you're saying right now is we needed your strength, your protection and now in a time of opportunity we need your encouragement, facilitation and enthusiasm,” she said.
“Do you really feel that way about the Australian people? Are we really that helpless?”
Mr Morrison hit back at the Today host, saying that’s not what he was describing.
“I wouldn’t see it that way at all. Everybody needs encouragement. I believe passionately in the Australian people. I love the Australian people,” he said before Ms Langdon cut him off.
“But it seems like we can’t handle any challenge or opportunity without you?” she pushed, prompting Mr Morrison to say he has “banked on Australia’s resilience during the course of the last three years”.
Barnaby Joyce slams Tanya Plibersek
Sunrise host Natalie Barr couldn’t hide her frustration during a fiery debate between Labor MP Tanya Plibersek and Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce on Monday morning.
Mr Joyce and Ms Plibersek angrily argued over their parties’ housing policies, with the latter insisting house prices will increase if Liberals get their way.
"You shouldn't have to choose between housing today and poverty in old age," she told the Seven Network, in reference to the Coalition policy of withdrawing super to buy a house.
Labor's plan to tackle housing affordability would involve a government "help to buy" scheme where the government would provide an equity contribution for 10,000 low income earners.
The interview spiralled out of control after Mr Barnaby pushed Ms Plibersek to explain if the income threshold was taxable or gross income.
“You're not interested in helping young Australians into a home of their own,” Ms Plibersek retorted.
“Can you explain your own policies? Is it taxable or gross income?” Mr Barnaby insisted, prompting the Labor MP to label the situation “so frustrating”.
“How do you not understand your own policy?” Mr Barnaby pushed again as angrily waved his hands in the air and sighed repetitively.
“This is a plan to help 10,000 Australians into a home of their own... it's their income, their taxable income. I don't know why it's so complicated for Barnaby,” Ms Plibersek responded.
'What on earth are we voting on?'
Sunrise host Ms Barr was visibly annoyed by the heated exchange — which was deemed a “train-wreck” by viewers online.
“Can anyone feel sorry for the people of Australia this morning? Trying to work out what on earth we are voting on on Saturday. Sorry,” the host said.
Ms Plibersek said she feels “embarrassed the deputy prime minister carries on like that”.
“I feel sorry for us, because we have got to walk into those polling booths and we have got to try and work out what on earth we are voting on,” Ms Barr insisted before ending the interview.
With AAP
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