While many patrons at a NSW Hunter region pub welcomed the Prime Minister's surprise visit Wednesday night, one punter took the opportunity to air his grievances.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
In a public confrontation with Scott Morrison, littered with expletives, the man vocalised outrage regarding his pension, among other issues, at the Edgeworth Tavern in Greater Newcastle.
"Listen to me for a change. You can have a million dollar house, $250,000 in the bank and franking credits but a disability pensioner can't have an income," the man said to the Prime Minister.
"You've also been immigration minister. I've got a partner I've been with six and half years and I've got a right as an Australian to choose who my partner should be.
"We've been to the tribunal twice and won on both occasions. That was 14 months ago. Why can't I have a partner?
"You know another promise you made. You were going to have an integrity commission.
"You better f------g do something. I'm sick of your b------t."
Telling the man he had "raised very important issues", Mr Morrison offered to to sit down with the pensioner and "get to the bottom" of his concerns.
Another patron, John Livingstone, was one of two regulars at the Tavern to have his beer poured by the PM. After witnessing the confrontation, Mr Livingstone said he understands people have their concerns but believes they should "have a bit of respect."
"We are all humans. Doesn't matter who you are - whether you are just a worker or the Prime Minister - a little respect would be nice," he said.
The 41-year-old farmer and carpenter, who has lived around Newcastle all his life, praised Mr Morrison's leadership during the pandemic but said it's time for government to "get out of our lives".
"Telling us where to go, what to do, how to get vaccinated, how to send our kids to school, when to put face masks on. Just stay out of our lives."
There were mixed opinions regarding Mr Morrison's character at the pub. While Luke Rossington said it was good to see the Prime Minister in Edgeworth and "out of his comfort zone", he finds Mr Morrison "untrustworthy".
"We've had a lot of ups and downs with natural disasters and stuff and he's just never been there," Mr Rossington said.
IN OTHER NEWS:
However, Rachael Pietraszek - whose 4-year-old daughter Charlotte met the Prime Minister on Wednesday night - found Mr Morrison to be "approachable".
"He has had a difficult couple of years during the pandemic and has done a good job," Ms Pietraszek said.
"The government is facing a difficult situation in the Hunter balancing jobs and climate which I think are two big issues coming up to the election."
.
