Prime Minister Scott Morrison has insisted he is ‘fine’ after concerns about his health were raised during his latest press conference about the coronavirus pandemic on Thursday.
The 51-year-old appeared on WSFM’s Jonesy & Amanda show, where he responded to claims about his health detailed in a Daily Mail Australia story – as well as the workout routine he follows to try and stay in shape.
‘I’m fine,’ Mr Morrison told the hosts.
‘I’m keeping a bit busy. I have my little seven and a half minute routine in the morning which gets the blood moving around which is good.’
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has insisted he is ‘fine’ after concerns about his health were raised during his latest press conference about the coronavirus pandemic on Thursday (pictured in February 2020 and on April 2 2020)
Mr Morrison (pictured on February 26 2020) said he is keeping fit by doing seven and a half minute workouts each morning that include star jumps
Mr Morrison revealed the workout consists of star jumps and other compound exercises.
‘I wouldn’t say it should be filmed, that wouldn’t be a pretty sight,’ he said.
But he added that the routine workout has been great for his personal mental health, as has been spending time with his wife Jenny and his two children.
‘When I get home, I spend a little bit of time with Jen and if the kids are still awake, I spend a little bit of time with them,’ he said.
‘Jen’s coming up with all sorts of things to keep the kids focused and entertained. They were doing Easter egg decorating the other day.’
Mr Morrison explained that while it may not be possible to see your loved ones at this time, you do need to stay connected with them – particularly as the Easter holidays approach.
‘It’s important to keep your mental health up and keep yourself active wherever you can,’ he said.
‘Being connected with family and friends is very important.’
Mr Morrison said ‘a lot’ has changed in the past 10 weeks – and even in the past two weeks.
His two children, Lily and Abbey, are currently completing their school lessons at home, but he said people must be prepared that life could go on this way for a long period of time.
‘We’re working on six months at the moment, that’s our best understanding of it,’ Mr Morrison explained.
‘I hope it’s sooner, but it could be longer so there is a new normal that we need to adjust to… We’ve got to keep a healthy balance on this and the restrictions and whether we can keep them in place for six months.’
Mr Morrison (pictured with his wife Jenny in January 2020) said that Jenny has been doing very well with his two children at home and making sure they do lots of different focused tasks
Concerns about Scott Morrison’s health were raised on Thursday, after he appeared to sound ‘breathless’ and ‘unwell’ at his latest press conference.
On Thursday, the federal government announced childcare will become free from next week for all working parents during the pandemic.
But many viewers quickly pointed out how Mr Morrison appeared ‘fatigued’, ‘restless’ and ‘overworked’ on television and noted he was interrupting his sentences to take ‘gasps of air’.
‘Sounds like he ran to the press conference from the pub,’ one person said.
Others said he sounded ‘sick’, ‘breathless’ and ‘exhausted’ and expressed concerns over his apparent ‘lack of sleep’, ‘nose whistles’ and ‘lack of hair’.
‘This man is not well. I don’t like his leadership abilities but I do hope he isn’t sick,’ one said.
A second person said: ‘He looks so sick and tired and has lost hair’.
During Thursday afternoon’s press conference, Mr Morrison announced that childcare will become free from next week for essential workers (pictured on Thursday 2 April)
During Thursday afternoon’s press conference, Mr Morrison announced that childcare will become free from next week.
The government will pay 13,000 childcare centres 50 per cent of their fee revenue. In return, the centres must stay open and not charge parents.
The scheme, which will last for at least three months, will cost $1.6 billion and will benefit around one million families.
Free childcare will be available to all parents regardless of their job but in the event that places fill up, Education Minister Dan Tehan said he wanted centres to prioritise access for essential workers such as doctors and nurses.