Huge blow for Scott Morrison over Robodebt – with Sharks considering revoking ticketholder status

In the wake of damning findings from the Robodebt royal commission, Scott Morrison has copped another blow, with his beloved Sharks considering removing him as their no. 1 ticketholder. 

The ex-Prime Minister has faced a torrent of criticism and calls for his resignation from the back bench in the wake of scathing findings from royal commissioner Catherine Holmes, who found Morrison misled cabinet and gave untrue evidence.

Liberal leader Peter Dutton ruled out asking for his under-fire colleague to step down, and Morrison flatly denied any wrongdoing over the failed and unlawful Robodebt scheme.

But that hasn’t silenced the critics who are calling for his job, amongst other things – and now his beloved Cronulla Sharks have joined in.

The club is considering removing him as their no. 1 ticketholder, a title he has held since their premiership year in 2016, as a result of the damning findings according to the Sydney Morning Herald. 

The ex-Prime Minister, pictured at a Sharks game in 2019, was found to have misled cabinet by the royal commission when the now-infamous Robodebt scheme was introduced

Morrison leads the team song after a Cronulla victory in 2019. The Federal Member for Cook has been the club’s no. 1 ticketholder since 2016

Morrison and his office reportedly contacted the Sharks, and maintain he is no danger of being removed, but the masthead reported that Cronulla officials confirmed they would consider revoking his status if he was found guilty of negligence or wrongdoing. 

He strongly rejected the royal commission’s findings over the botched $750million debt recovery program, that was described as a ‘crude and cruel mechanism’ that made people feel like ‘criminals’. 

‘I reject completely each of the findings which are critical of my involvement in authorising the scheme and are adverse to me,’ Morrison said in a statement.

‘They are wrong, unsubstantiated and contradicted by clear documentary evidence presented to the commission.’  

Morrison used his first speech as the Prime Minister-elect in 2018 to declare he wanted to convert all Aussies to become Sharks fans – though joked he would not make it national policy.

The ex-Prime Minister shares a laugh with then-Shark half Chad Townsend after a win

Morrison waves to the crowd with a beer in his hand as he takes in a game while Prime Minister, in 2019

Scott Morrison (left) shares a laugh with Nationals MP Michael McCormack in the House of Representatives in May. He may not be laughing if his beloved Sharks revoke his ticketholder status

He now faces the ignominy of his status as the no. 1 Cronulla fan being revoked – something that many Aussies agree with.

‘This makes sense. After all, sharks have an acute sense of smell…especially when there’s blood in the water,’ one fan joked, with another writing: ‘Liberals need to do the right thing and dump Scomo. Sharks likewise cannot afford to have a evil mongrel as number 1 fan!’

‘It should NEVER have been given to him in the first place. Done by those trying to feather their own nests,’ said a third, with Morrison only following the club once he moved to the area from the eastern suburbs. 

Morrison is far from the first politician to hold the status as no. 1 ticketholder at an NRL club.

NSW premier Gladys Berejiklian was previously Manly’s no. ticketholder, while Morrison’s trusted righthand man Josh Frydenberg nabbed the gong at the Storm three years ago.