‘People are dying, no one cares’: Furious Scott Morrison blows up at a reporter

Scott Morrison told a reporter that no-one cares about his question during a press conference to announce the extension of JobKeeper on Tuesday morning. 

A television reporter asked the Prime Minister if he was planning to call an election next year to capitalise on his popularity.

A stern Mr Morrison responded by saying Australians do not care about the next election when people are dying in Victoria.

‘Politics is nowhere near my mind,’ he said.

‘I mean, I don’t think Australians could care less when the next election was and, frankly, right now it’s got nothing factoring into my thinking not at all. 

‘I know it may totally fascinate people who stand in this courtyard, at least some of them, but it is just not a factor,’ the Prime Minister continued.

‘I mean, we have got an outbreak in Victoria and people are dying and you’re asking me questions about when the next election is. 

‘I think we need to focus on what the real issues are here and it’s not when the next election is.’

Mr Morrison then moved on to another question without letting the reporter reply. 

A Newspoll on Monday found Mr Morrison has a 33-point lead as preferred prime minister over Labor leader Anthony Albanese.

Mr Morrison is on 59 per cent while his rival’s support remains steady at 26 per cent. 

Today the Prime Minister announced that JobKeeper will be extended until March but two million Australians will lose access from September as the payment and the JobSeeker supplement are reduced by $300. 

Scott Morrison today announced the wage subsidy, which currently helps 3.5million Australians, will be reduced in phases as the economy recovers from coronavirus lockdowns.

The payment was due to end on 27 September but instead it will be decreased from $1,500 to $1,200-a-fortnight.

A lower rate of $750-a-fortnight will go to people who worked fewer than 20 hours a week in February, before coronavirus struck.   

The two-tiered system has been brought in because one in four casuals are earning more on JobKeeper than when they worked. 

From 4 January, the payments will be reduced to $1,000-a-fortnight for full time staff and to $650-a-fortnight for those who worked fewer than 20 hours. 

The JobKeeper payment will be extended until March and an increased JobSeeker rate will last until December. Pictured: The Prime Minister meeting businessmen on Monday

Fewer businesses will be eligible for JobKeeper as they must continue to prove a revenue decline of 30 per cent compared to before coronavirus. 

Many will not meet this threshold because business has picked up after lockdowns ended. 

This means that the number of people on Jobkeeper is expected to decline from 3.5million now to 1.4million between October and December, Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said today.

From January 1million people are expected to receive the payment. 

Australian Council of Trade Unions boss Sally McManus said she feared the lower rates would lead to mass sackings.

‘Businesses will be getting less support from the government per worker so they may decide to cut numbers,’ she said. 

From September 24 the JobSeeker supplement will be reduced from $550 to $250, meaning the total benefit will be worth $800-a-fortnight instead of $1,100 in total. 

That level will last until December 31 and the Prime Minister expects some level of supplement to remain beyond that. 

JobSeekers will be able to earn $300 while keeping their full benefits.

They will have to apply for four jobs a month to qualify for the benefits and must not refuse a job if offered. 

As Melbourne approaches its third week of lockdown, residents are forced to wear masks