PLEA Network

16 December 2019, Renew Economy, Shut up and watch the cricket: Morrison stokes embers of climate denial. How good’s the cricket? Australia thrashed Pakistan and is all over New Zealand. David Warner’s scoring at will, Marnus Labuschagne is emerging as a new batting superstar, and Steve Smith is taking unbelievable catches. Enough, prime minister Scott Morrison wants us to think, to take our mind off the drought, the soaring heatwaves, the horrific bushfires, the suffocating smoke – the ashes of living things, plants and animals, incinerated in the inferno – the dangers to our health and the fear for our own and our children’s future. Morrison’s Orwellian trope was born on the night of the federal election victory where he invoked the image of the “quiet Australian”. It was not immediately clear whether this was just a thank you, or an instruction. It is increasingly obviously the latter. Unless you’re the Murdoch media shouting in his ear, or donors or business backers, Morrison’s Coalition doesn’t want to hear from you. The rest of you can shut up and watch the cricket. Read more here