Thread by @georgiedent

It came to me last night as I attempted to find my way into slumber. The PM @ScottMorrisonMP had heard ‘rumours’ of allegations against a Cabinet minister from inquiries via @4corners & @Milliganreports 'Nothing of substance' though. He couldn’t possibly 'interfere'.

I mulled over this last night and I do not believe the PM is telling the truth. I call bullshit and I rarely swear.

I thought back to that day in October last year when I received a phonecall from the PM's office telling me to stop criticising their federal budget.

The day after handing down the biggest spending budget in Oz's history someone inside the PM’s office had enough time – and obvious inclination – to pick up the phone to me. They said I'm a ‘public figure’ & took issue enough with my words that it was necessary to ‘interfere’.

I accept I have a public profile and I’m unconvinced I’m a ‘public figure’ BUT if that is the view of the PM's office please tell me how a Cabinet minister is not a significantly more influential public figure, whose actions are the PM’s quite legitimate concern?

If my words shared as a journalist & advocate through two small independent orgs – @WomensAgenda & @the_parenthood – are enough to warrant a phone call from the PMO, tell me how rumours of a Cabinet minister allegedly raping a 16 year old doesn't pique the PM's interest?

Similarly if a private citizen like me gets a phonecall telling me to be quiet, then tell me how on earth the Defence Minister evades a phonecall or a meeting with the PM to address @BrittHiggins_'s serious criminal allegations that are said to have occurred in her office?

It stretches credulity & reveals the deep, dark chasm between the government’s outward facing PR offensive - dismiss, evade, obfuscate - and the sinister way in which it works behind the scenes. Calling @vanOnselenP @gbearup & @4corners to get comments changed & programs pulled.

It’s genuinely disturbing to fathom an Australian Prime Minister acting with this level of impunity but that is what @ScottMorrisonMP is doing and I am fed up. And so are thousands of others.

Prime Minister @ScottMorrisonMP I understand you were 'incandescent with rage' about your budget being criticised for ignoring women. So let me be explicit. You’re on notice. We're over being ignored. #March4Justice #ENOUGH #crediblewomen
womensagenda.com.au/latest/prime-m…