NSW Liberal Senator Hollie Hughes has refuted allegations directed at Prime Minister Scott Morrison by her outgoing colleague Concetta Fierravanti-Wells.
Ms Fierravanti-Wells launched a scathing attack on Mr Morrison on Tuesday evening – accusing him of corrupting the party’s NSW division and declaring he was “not fit to be Prime Minister”.
“It’s his way or the highway. [He’s] an autocrat, a bully, who has no moral compass,” Ms Fierravanti-Wells said.
In the blistering 10-minute speech to the Senate on budget night, Ms Fierravanti-Wells also took aim at Immigration Minister Alex Hawke who she said was “certainly not fit to be minister”.
Talking to Sky News Australia, Ms Hughes responded to Ms Fierravanti-Wells’ accusations.
“I’ve known the Prime Minister for over 20 years, and I consider him not only a close friend but a mentor,” Ms Hughes said.
“The comments that were made last night, that I’ve seen this morning, absolutely do not reflect the man that I know – they do not reflect his leadership style.
“They do not reflect the support that he’s not only given me, but I know that he provides to so many other colleagues.
“I certainly do not agree with her character assessment of Scott – it is not the person I know.
“I consider him both a political mentor and a very close friend, as I do Alex Hawke.”