Morrison, Towke and the 2007 battle for Cook

by Mark Sawyer | Apr 4, 2022 | Lobbyland

Scott Morrison is accused of playing the race card to beat Michael Towke for Liberal preselection in the seat of Cook in 2007.

The sword of Damocles hung over Scott Morrison on Monday when former Liberal MP Bruce Baird submitted for questions on ABC Radio National. Weekend reports accused Morrison of smearing his Liberal preselection rival Michael Towke on ethnic and religious grounds in 2007.

Then the AFR’s Phillip Coorey revealed that Baird planned in April 2007 to seek another term as the MP for Cook, but subsequently announced his retirement. Had Baird revealed to RN listeners that Morrison hustled him out of Parliament, the story would be generating yet more pain for Morrison. But Baird backed Morrison, not Towke. Why did Baird quit politics? His family wanted him to. And yes, some listeners thought Baird was covering up for Morrison, but at this stage of the political cycle, would a man with Baird’s reputation for probity even bother?

Mark Sawyer is a journalist with extensive experience in print and digital media in Sydney, Melbourne and rural Australia.

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