Scott Morrison says Anthony Albanese is 'the most left-wing leader since Gough Whitlam'

Scott Morrison has accused Anthony Albanese of being the ‘most left-wing Labor leader since Gough Whitlam’ in a scathing attack over national security.

The Prime Minister said Mr Albanese’s position in the Left faction of the Labor Party means he will automatically be weak on foreign policy.

‘This Labor Party under the most left-leaning Labor leader that we have seen since Gough Whitlam, that is not a good form to be strong on national security,’ he told a press conference in Alice Springs on Friday. 

Gough Whitlam is pictured in 1972 during his successful election campaign which carried the slogan ‘it’s time’

Gough Whitlam was Prime Minister from 1972 to 1975 in which time he established Medicare and free university. He was in the Right faction but is seen as left-wing.

Former labor Prime Minister Julia Gillard was in the Left faction but regarded as being close the Right. 

Mr Morrison said he has a strong record on handling national security issues. 

‘Now my reputation on this is on the record, everything from stopping the boats, standing up to coercion, funding our defence forces, backing our intelligence services, increasing our border protection, and establishing the Australian Border Force,’ he said.

‘I think there’s a clear choice. And if people are asking themselves honestly and genuinely who’s stronger on national security, well there’s only one answer: the Liberal and Nationals under my leadership.’

Leader of the Opposition Anthony Albanese during Question Time in the House of Representatives on Wednesday

This week the Government has attempted to portray Labor as weak on China and national security ahead of the May election.

Security experts say the strategy actually undermines Australia’s national security by falsely suggesting to allies that Labor would follow different policies if elected to Government.

On Wednesday Mr Morrison had claimed Mr Albanese is backed by China, saying: ‘The Chinese Government has picked their horse and he’s sitting right there.’ 

He also labelled deputy leader Richard Marles a ‘Manchurian candidate’, a phrase used to describe a politician working for an enemy.

The stoush was condemned by former ASIO boss Dennis Richardson, who said picking a fight on national security ‘only serves the interest of one country and that is China’.

Mr Albanese hit back strongly in Question Time on Thursday, insisting there are no policy differences between him and the PM on China and accusing the Government of an ‘absurd campaign to try to divide the nation’.

He quoted Mr Richardson and added: ‘So if you’re looking for a Manchurian candidate he sits over there,’ while pointing to Mr Morrison’s seat. 

The Labor leader compared the Prime Minister to former US President Donald Trump, saying: ‘What we’re seeing here this week is the importation of Trumpian rhetoric where truth doesn’t matter and facts don’t matter.’ 

But Mr Morrison rejected that argument. ‘I lead on national security. And Labor just doesn’t measure up,’ he said.

‘I’m not going to set a low bar for bipartisanship. If the Labor party wants to agree with our policies then they’ve got a lot more work to do because, frankly, on this issue they’re weak.

‘I’ve stood up to that coercion against our country. Australians know that, they can’t be sure about the other mob.’