Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has accused the Prime Minister of 'pandering to extremists' and engaging in 'doublespeak' after comments following the protests in Melbourne last week.
"The government's not entitled to doublespeak. The government's not entitled to cuddle up to extremists," Andrews told the media at a press conference over the weekend.
Andrews' comments come on the back of Morrison addressing the protests in Melbourne, which saw wooden gallows rolled in front of Parliament House and an effigy of the premier hanged, with other groups chanting 'kill Dan Andrews'.
Morrison responded to questions about the protests by saying that while he didn't support the actions of the protestors, he did recognise their frustrations.
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"It's time for governments to step back and for Australians to take their lives back," he said.
The protestors had gathered to demonstrate against Covid-19 vaccine mandates as well as the state governments proposed bill that will change the way Victoria declares and manages pandemics.
The Premier addressed the comments to reporters in Melbourne and said Mr Morrison was dripping in subtext.
"We have seen extremists, rabid anti-vaxxers and others making all sorts of threats, threats against me, my wife and my kids," he said.
"I'm committed to doing what has to be done. I'm not about chasing, through doublespeak, the votes of extremists or their preferences.
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"The fact that he couldn't just pause and say 'well done' without pandering to extremists is beyond me.
"He knows my views. He knows them very, very clearly. Because I don't doublespeak."
He backed those comments up across the weekend, accusing Morrison of 'cuddling up' to people with extremist views.
"The government's not entitled to double speak. The government's not entitled to cuddle up to extremists," Premier Andrews said.
Andrews also made the point that vaccination mandates and access to venues aren't policy matters for Morrison.
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"Oh well, the Prime Minister doesn't determine those matters. They are matters of state public health law and they are not a matter for the PM, frankly. I would refer him back to his national plan."
Scott Morrison was asked what he thought of the Premier's comments over the weekend and he replied saying that while he didn't support the actions of protestors, he did see where they were coming from.
"I was very clear yesterday in denunciating any violence, threats or intimidation that is applied against anyone, and we have absolutely no truck with that whatsoever," the Prime Minister said.
"I don't have sympathy for violence, I don't have sympathy for threats.
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"I have sympathy for Australians who have had a gutful of governments telling them what to do over the last two years."
Featured Image Credit: Michael Currie/Speed Media/Alamy Live NewsTopics: News, Scott Morrison, Melbourne, Australia
