‘Get off the grass!’ Man tells Scott Morrison to move out of his lawn even as the PM announces homeownership package

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic may have spiralled his popularity ratings, but at least one resident does not seem to be impressed by his charisma.

A media conference by Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison to announce a new stimulus package briefly turned comical on Thursday when he and reporters were told by a homeowner to get off a newly reseeded lawn.

Morrison travelled to a housing construction site in Googong, 28km  south of Canberra to announce his government would spend nearly A$700 million ($480 million) to support an Australian construction sector hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic.

READ MORE

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison makes 'samosas' wishes to share them with Narendra Modi

Tens of thousands march in Australia for higher wages

But as he spoke about the package supporting the "Australian dream" of home ownership, he was interrupted by a local resident.

"Can everyone get off the grass please?" an unnamed local shouted at Morrison and the travelling press contingent. "Come on, I've just reseeded that."

Morrison quickly obliged, giving the man a thumbs up and an "all good".

Australia has suffered far fewer coronavirus cases than most other nations but its economy is facing its first recession in almost three decades despite billions of dollars in government support.

Interestingly, the Australian Prime Minister also has a little-known skill: he can make vegetarian 'samosas' with mango chutney "from scratch", and said that he "would have liked to share them" with his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi.

Deal with India

India and Australia sealed a deal on Thursday to get access to each other's military bases, the Indian foreign ministry said, a pact that would clear the way for more military exchanges and exercises in the Indo-Pacific, according to Reuters.

The mutual logistic support agreement was signed during a virtual summit between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Morrison.