Scott Morrison is slammed for saying he is ‘blessed’ to have two children without disabilities

Scott Morrison has come underfire for suggesting he and wife Jenny are ‘blessed’ their children don’t have disabilities with Labor MPs quick to pile on the criticism.

The prime minister was asked about removing funding for the National Disability Insurance Scheme during Wednesday night’s Leaders’ Debate on Sky News, after a mother named Katherine said she was losing funding for her autistic four-year-old.

‘Jenny and I have been blessed, we have two children who haven’t had to go through that. I can only understand what you go through,’ he said when asked about supporting the NDIS going forward. 

Mr Morrison was instantly criticised on Twitter for the comments, with people criticising his lack of empathy

Twitter ignited following the comments, with people insisting Mr Morrison was being deeply offensive to people living with disabilities.

Labor politicians Kristina Keneally and Katy Gallagher also weighed in, with Ms Gallagher revealing her child also has autism.

‘I am ‘blessed’ to have a child with autism. She teaches me things every day. Our lives are enriched by her,’ she wrote.

Ms Keneally retweeted her post, sharing her shock with Mr Morrison’s choice of words. 

‘Unbelievably, Scott Morrison just said he was ‘blessed’ not to have a child with a disability. Parents of children with a disability are blessed too,’ she wrote. 

Bill Shorten, Labor’s NDIS spokesman also weighed in, saying: ‘ScoMo says he is “blessed” to have two non disabled children. Every child is a blessing. 

‘The NDIS is there to help people with disability live their lives to the fullest. The Morrison Gov has slashed NDIS plans for 1000s of children around Australia. Labor will fix the NDIS.’

His comments also sparked a lot of uproar from others, with many calling him ‘clueless’. 

‘Scott Morrison has no clue what it’s like living with a disability. He also has no empathy,’ a woman posted to social media.

‘The fact that Morrison believes that having a child with a disability is a punishment (logical conclusion if the opposite is a blessing) says everything about why his govt will never properly fund the NDIS, or even see it as a priority,’ another tweeted. 

‘Jenny and I have been blessed, we have two children who haven’t had to go through that. I can only understand what you go through,’ he said when asked about supporting the NDIS

Labor MPs Kristina Keneally and Katy Gallagher were quick to pile on the PM after the comments

Anthony Albanese has made the first jab during the election debate against Scott Morrison when discussing Australia’s skyrocketing housing prices

The debate kicked off with a question on what each leader would do to help Aussies get into the housing market.

The Labor leader took the opportunity to bring up a remark made earlier by Mr Morrison who told those struggling to afford rent to consider buying a house.

‘I know that it’s so tough now. Some of the measures the government have done are terrific but we’re missing out on bits too. We’re not doing anything on social ownership, which would increase supply,’ Mr Albanese said.

‘We also need to address the rental crisis. Rents are going through the roofs. Scott said if you’re having difficulties with rent, buy a house.

‘The truth is, it’s much more difficult than that, and we need to address each of the issues. How do we get people into home ownership? How do we address affordable housing?’ 

The pair then became caught in a heated debate over turning back boats, leaving Mr Albanese stumped.

Mr Albanese said he supported turnbacks before Mr Morrison noted when he was Deputy Prime Minister in 2013 that wasn’t the case.

‘Why is it Scott you’re always looking for a division, not looking for an agreement?’ Mr Albanese fired.

Mr Morrison responded cooly: ‘I’m just looking for the accuracy and the truth.’