Climate Changed

Australia Wildfires End Leader’s Post-Election Honeymoon

  • Morrison’s political judgment suddenly comes under scrutiny
  • Family dad image damaged after Hawaii vacation backfires
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Last month, Australia’s unprecedented wildfire crisis prompted Prime Minister Scott Morrison to cut short a vacation to Hawaii. It also abruptly ended his political honeymoon.

Eight months after being lauded a conservative hero by engineering an unexpected victory, Morrison’s clumsy handling of the crisis -- highlighted by his trip to Hawaii just days after declaring a national disaster -- has stoked criticism over his political judgment, including by members of his own party.