Scott morrison responds to alleged text message leak 20220202 p5yeeo.html – Breaking News & Latest Updates 2026
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Morrison responds to explosive text message leak

Mark Saunokonoko

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Prime Minister Scott Morrison says he has no idea who was behind a series of text messages allegedly written by Gladys Berejiklian which were leaked at a public event yesterday.

In the text messages, Ms Berejiklian allegedly described Mr Morrison as a "horrible person", with an unnamed Liberal cabinet minister allegedly calling the PM a "fraud" and a "complete psycho". It is not known if the minister works at state or federal level.

Speaking on Today, Mr Morrison said he had not spoken to the former NSW Premier since yesterday's exchange at the National Press Club event.

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Prime Minister Scott Morrison during his address to the National Press Club of Australia in Canberra. Alex Ellinghausen

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When asked by Ally Langdon if the former NSW Premier was still a "dear friend", Mr Morrison replied: "Of course."

Ms Berejiklian yesterday issued a statement saying she had "no recollection" of the alleged text, and today NSW Treasurer Matt Kean denied on 2GB that he was the source of the leak.

"It is unhelpful and mean-spirited," Mr Kean told Ben Fordham.

"I am a very close friend of Gladys and I know her too.

"It is a stupid political game."

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Mr Morrison said he appreciated Ms Berejiklian's public statement, and went on to say that the alleged text messages had been leaked for "sensationalist purposes".

"I never accept at face value the things are put to me, particularly when they're done anonymously," he said.

"There was no context to it or any really details behind it.

"That's what happens from time to time."

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The PM said his social media accounts showed he had supporters and critics.

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Journalist Peter van Onselen asks a question of Prime Minister Scott Morrison at the National Press Club. Getty

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Mr Morrison described his experience at the National Press Club as "a pretty rough day".

"But that's alright, that goes with the job. I was happy to face those questions."

Speaking with Ray Hadley on 2GB, Mr Morrison said he was "happy to face music" because of the big election issues, including the coronavirus pandemic, security in Asia and the Pacific and economic uncertainty forecast to hit in the next 12 months.

"It was pretty brutal yesterday," he said.

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"But, you know, I thought it would be."

During the event, Mr Morrison was asked if he wanted to apologise for taking a trip to Hawaii during the bushfires or the flawed vaccine rollout.

He was also put on the spot and quizzed if he knew the price of a loaf of bread or bottle of milk.

Mr Morrison said he was a target of "gotcha stuff" by the media.

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This morning, Today host Ally Langdon again asked the PM if he knew the cost of bread.

"Which one do you want?" Mr Morrison replied.

"Do you want the rye bread or the multigrain or the sourdough?

"I was honest with people yesterday and they know that."

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