Plenty have pondered over the last few days – some of them very loudly – why an under siege Prime Minister would open himself up to even more punches by appearing in a wide ranging prime time interview on ‘60 Minutes’, complete with a ukulele.
But the reality is that it was very much mission accomplished for team Morrison.
Those who had already planned to vote for Morrison or are hardened Liberal voters would have seen no harm done, in fact it would have strengthened their resolve and endeared them to Jenny Morrison, who many believe will play a key role in the election campaign.
Rusted on Labor voters were never going to change their minds anyway but it did give them an opportunity to absolutely lose their minds on the echo chambers of Twitter and Whatsapp groups with fellow Morrison-haters.
For those in the middle – the real target of the interview – it was a potential reset. An opportunity for Morrison to rehabilitate his image and set the agenda to a section of voters who don’t follow the ins and outs of day to day politics.
Labor is clearly planning to ‘play the man’ in this election campaign. It’s not a terrible strategy either given the missteps of Morrison in recent times.
But the problem with playing the man is if that man turns the personality crisis around, you’re not left with much to play with. That makes it a somewhat risky game for Anthony Albanese.
In some parts of the country, it seems Scott Morrison has got more supporters than the polls indicate. It’s these ‘quiet Australians’ the Prime Minister is focusing on this election. #60Mins pic.twitter.com/Z6Wo2WbTYu
— 60 Minutes Australia (@60Mins) February 13, 2022
That was the whole purpose of the ‘60 Minutes’ appearance. Endear swinging voters to Morrison and his family, strengthen those Liberal voters who may be wavering and allow Labor to keep focusing on an anti-Morrison agenda that, like in 2019, may ultimately have the opposite impact if they push too hard.
And that ukulele? It was a tiny part of the interview that earned heavy promo treatment from Nine, but in reality served only as a distraction to the main course.
And that does present as a problem with the left – constant distraction, and a risk that it becomes the core focus and not what Labor would do differently to ensure a better future for the country.
Scott Morrison is focused on winning this election, but he’ll need the support of his whole party to get there. Either way, you get the feeling the Prime Minister has one eye on paradise – wherever that may be. #60Mins pic.twitter.com/4oxhZBL9qH
— 60 Minutes Australia (@60Mins) February 13, 2022
Troy Dodds is the Weekender’s Managing Editor and Breaking News Reporter. He has more than 20 years experience as a journalist, working with some of Australia’s leading media organisations. In 2023, he was named Editor of the Year at the Mumbrella Publish Awards.
