Scott Morrison repeatedly refers to journalists as Mr Speaker during press conference

Nick Whigham
·News Editor
·2-min read

Just a week into the federal election campaign and delirium appears to be setting in.

While Labor leader Anthony Albanese drew headlines on day one for forgetting key economic data points, Scott Morrison appeared to forget where he was on day seven.

Scott Morrison engaged autopilot, seemingly forgetting who he was talking to during the Sunday press conference. Source: ABC
Scott Morrison engaged autopilot, seemingly forgetting who he was talking to during the Sunday press conference. Source: ABC

Fielding questions from journalists in Sydney on Sunday about who would take the social services portfolio in his ministry should he win another term, Mr Morrison slipped back into parliament mode referring to journalists as "Mr Speaker" three times before realising what he'd done.

"Here we go, I'm back in parliament," he laughed, emerging from his diatribe and realising his error.

Social media was quick to jump on the unusual press conference gaffe with "Mr Speaker" trending on Twitter on Sunday evening.

"Trying to imagine what the response would be if Anthony Albanese did this," commented Amy Remeikis, political journalist for The Guardian.

It came as the PM announced current social services minister Anne Ruston will take over the health portfolio from outgoing minister Greg Hunt.

Labor leader Anthony Albanese made only a brief appearance in front of the media today, in what he said was supposed be a non-campaigning day because of Easter Sunday.

However he pounced on the announcement of Anne Ruston as new health minister after attending a church service in Cairns.

"She has made it very clear that, if we have an election of the Morrison government, we will see more cuts to Medicare, more cuts to Medicare over the next three years," Mr Albanese told reporters.

But Senator Ruston denied those claims.

"Our government has been clear that we are not cutting Medicare," she told reporters.

The government also promised $270 million to make the treatment of type one diabetes more affordable.

One week down, but five weeks still to go until Australians head to the polls.

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Catch up with the latest from the campaign trail here.

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