Vicious trolls have used the death of Scott Morrison’s father as an opportunity to hurl abuse at the Prime Minister within minutes of his touching tribute.
Mr Morrison on Thursday morning announced his father John, a former policeman, died peacefully the previous night aged 84.
‘He lived a great life and was much loved,’ he wrote of the ‘loving husband, wonderful father and devoted grandfather’.
Trolls with no sense of decency immediately mocked the grieving family, some even going so far as to write ‘both scumbags, good riddance’.
Mr Morrison announced the sad news of his father John’s passing by sharing a collage of pictures of his father to Instagram on Thursday afternoon. Pictured: John, Scott and Marion Morrison
A frequent insult was to parrot the words of radio shock jock Alan Jones, who notoriously said former PM Julia Gillard’s father ‘died of shame’ in 2012
A frequent insult was to parrot the words of radio shock jock Alan Jones, who notoriously said former PM Julia Gillard’s father ‘died of shame’ in 2012.
Jones was referring to anger over Ms Gillard’s carbon tax policy, which was compared to Mr Morrison’s much-maligned handling of the bushfire crisis.
‘He probably died of shame with the way ScoMo handled the bushfires,’ one said.
Another keyboard warrior justified asking ‘I wonder if he died of shame?’ by recalling that Mr Morrison smirked when Tony Abbott repeated Jones’ remark in Parliament.
One opportunistic troll said she had little sympathy as Liberal Party disability policy had allegedly resulted in the deaths of many more people.
‘I feel I need a government grant of approximately $190,000 for an Empathy Consultant in order to write a better sympathy card for you,’ she wrote.
Other insensitive critics cynically expected Mr Morrison and the Liberal Party would exploit John’s death for political gain.
‘Bet he pumps it for sympathy like someone doing CPR on a fat man,’ one wrote.
Many social media users even attacked John Morrison himself, either for his police service or merely his relation to the PM
Others cynically expected Mr Morrison and the Liberal Party would exploit John’s death for political gain
Other heartless trolls stooped even lower, attacking John Morrison himself, either for his police service or merely his relation to the PM.
‘Scott Morrison’s father, a cop, passed away. Hell yeah,’ one wrote.
Another wrote: ‘I am pretty sure Scott Morrison inherited his racist and authoritarian worldview from his father, which is why I am pretty sure John didn’t die of shame for his vicious son.’
A third wrote: ‘He did a great job of raising his son… what a pity he bred Australia’s biggest loser.’
Fortunately, many people voiced their disgust at the trolls, saying that even if you didn’t agree with Mr Morrison’s politics he should be treated kindly.
But many were not on board with this point of view and hit back at those who called for critics to have at least an ounce of respect.
‘Scott Morrison’s leadership is far more damaging and offensive to literally everything than joking about his dead father,’ one wrote.
‘I truly don’t care if you get upset by poor taste in these circumstances. If you don’t respect basic reality you don’t deserve basic respect.’
John (centre) served in the Army as part of his National Service and was also a NSW Police Officer and dedicated member for his entire career
Many trolls hit back at those who called for critics to have at least an ounce of respect
Mr Morrison posted a series of family photos along with his tribute to the former soldier and policeman.
‘He was a loving husband to my mum Marion for 57 years. He was a wonderful father to me and my brother Alan. He loved Jen as a daughter and was a devoted grandfather to our girls,’ he wrote.
‘Love you Dad and well done good and faithful servant.’
John served in the Army as part of his National Service and was also a NSW Police Officer and later, Commander.
He was a dedicated member of the Force for his entire career.
Like his son, John was also a politician who served on the Waverley council. He is pictured with his wife Marion supporting Scott Morrison’s election campaign last year
John was battling poor health when he celebrated his milestone 84th birthday in December last year. He is pictured with the rest of the Morrison family
He also served on the Waverley Municipal Council, in Sydney’s eastern suburbs, for 16 years, including for a brief period as mayor.
Mr Morrison praised his father for ‘living a life of love, faith, duty and service’.
‘Dad had a deep and committed Christian faith, which is one of his numerous legacies in my life,’ he wrote.
‘Our family will miss him terribly, but we are extremely thankful for his great blessing in all of our lives.’
John was battling poor health when he celebrated his milestone 84th birthday in December last year.
At the time, Mr Morrison wished his father happy birthday on the floor of the House of Representatives.
The NSW Police Officer also served on the Waverley Municipal Council, in Sydney’s eastern suburbs, for 16 years, including for a brief period as mayor
Mr Morrison was very close with his father, who had ‘had loved him unconditionally for all off his life’
‘If I may take this moment of indulgence, as my father is watching from an aged-care facility near his home, I’d just like to wish him all the very best for his 84th birthday,’ the Prime Minister told Parliament.
‘Dad, we’re all thinking of you at this very difficult time, and I wish I could be there with you.’
Mr Morrison said his dad ‘had loved me unconditionally for all of my life, and I’ve been blessed in that respect’ for Father’s Day in 2018.
John is survived by his wife Marion, his sons, Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Alan Morrison, and his grandchildren.
Despite the tragic news of his father’s passing, Mr Morrison put on a brave face and gave a press conference in Canberra on Thursday.
The Prime Minister addressed the controversial Bridget McKenzie scandal in relation to alleged ‘sports rorts’.
Just three hours later, Mr Morrison announced that his father had passed away the previous night.
Despite the tragic news of his father’s passing, Mr Morrison put on a brave face and gave a press conference in Canberra on Thursday. Three hours later, he announced his father had passed away