Waleed Aly's The Project interview with Scott Morrison: “Does the Coalition have an Islamophobia problem?”

Just hours after the Christchurch attacks, Waleed Aly shared an impassioned monologue on The Project.

Admitting that he had struggled to find the words to speak about the attack, Aly called for unity among Australians and an end to racism and Islamophobia.

“Now, now we come together. Now we understand this is not a game. Terrorism doesn’t choose its victims selectively. We are one community,” he said.

“Everything we say to try to tear people apart, demonise particular groups, set them against each other; that all has consequences, even if we’re not the ones with our fingers on the trigger.”

During his speech, Aly also referenced a claim that Prime Minister Scott Morrison had encouraged the Coalition to gain more votes by stirring up anti-Muslim views back in 2011.

Just hours later, the news program received a “furious” call from the Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s office.

It’s believed the Prime Minister was planning to sue the program for defamation.

Now, Waleed Aly and Scott Morrison have sat down for a heated interview.

During the interview, Aly questioned whether the Coalition government has an Islamophobia problem.

“Let me be perhaps more focused… does the Coalition have a problem with Islamophobia?” Aly asked.

“No, I don’t believe the Liberal Party does… I can’t speak for the National Party. I’ll let the leader of the National Party answer that,” Morrison responded.

Waleed: “Let me be perhaps more focused… does the Coalition have a problem with Islamophobia?”@ScottMorrisonMP “No, I don’t believe the Liberal Party does… I can’t speak for the National Party, I’ll let the leader of the National Party…” #TheProjectTV pic.twitter.com/LHQl9ZA6vN

— The Project (@theprojecttv) March 21, 2019

Morrison then explained how he personally doesn’t hold any anti-Muslim views, before Aly interrupted him.

“No, it is important to focus on the party,” Aly responded.

“I don’t know if Australians understand Islam very well… and that can often lead to a fear of things you don’t understand,” Morrison added.

“In politics, I think it’s important that we have disagreements but I wish we could disagree better.”

During the interview, Aly also pointed to other Coalition party members, including Tony Abbott, Peter Dutton and George Christensen, who have made questionable statements towards Muslims.

PM @ScottMorrisonMP: “All I’m saying at this stage is that we will never do a preference deal with One Nation and that we will settle these matters at the time of nomination” #auspol #TheProjectTV pic.twitter.com/nhQQoXqCDp

— The Project (@theprojecttv) March 21, 2019

He also questioned how closely the Coalition would align with Pauline Hanson’s controversial party One Nation.

“Will you at the very least commit in every seat to putting them below Labor and the Greens?” Aly asked.

“We are going to make these decisions at the time nominations close and we will apply those decisions at that time as a party organisation,” Morrison responded.

“We will never do a preference deal with One Nation, and that we will settle those matters at the time of the nominations closing when we know who all the candidates are.”

Watch the full interview on The Project between host Waleed Aly and PM Scott Morrison here. 

The interview, which was live streamed to thousands of viewers on Facebook, led many to compare the stark contrast Morrison’s behaviour in the interview to New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, who has been praised for her composure and compassion towards the victims of Christchurch in the past week.

#TheProject
I am looking forward to the side by side of this @ScottMorrisonMP interview with the interview with @jacindaardern
It may not look great now, but it’s going to look horrendous by Monday.

— Geoff Main (@GeoffMainNZ) March 21, 2019

After this interview we are ready for @jacindaardern to take over. She is a true leader #TheProject

— Julian Thomson (@JediJT74) March 21, 2019

Waleed: I’m going to do something I’ve not asked a politician. I’m goin got ask you to set the agenda. Scott Morrison: *goes on a five minute rant name that doesn’t set any agenda or answer the question*. #TheProject @theprojecttv

— ????????ramblingsofalatino ???????? (@ramblinglatino) March 21, 2019

There was only one person on that set who sounded like a national leader and it wasn’t the prime minister. #TheProject

— Bill (@Billablog) March 21, 2019

Compare the way Scott Morrison is behaving now to the composed and calm way Jacinda Arden has conducted herself the past week – polar opposites. #TheProject

— Lachlan Kilby (@LachieKilby) March 21, 2019

Waleed was cool, calm and collected, came with facts and had prepared probing questions. From the other side we got bluster, arrogance, constant interruptions of the interviewer, and rambling, sometimes incoherent, “stories” and a whole lot of smirking. #TheProjectTV #TheProject

— Lauren Hill (@lozzhill) March 21, 2019

I don’t think anyone but Waleed Aly could have remained composed, eloquent and forthright while interviewing someone as smug and delusional as our Prime Minister #TheProject

— tima (@timahalloum) March 21, 2019

While Jacinda Arden is wowing the world with her compassion & action towards the victims of Christchurch, Scott Morrison is on The Project talking entirely about himself. What he has done, how he feels aggrieved…What a leader. #TheProject

— Caroline Bowler (@CaroBowler) March 21, 2019

For more on this topic:

“These won’t be my best words…” Waleed Aly’s moving monologue on Christchurch.

“Here are some facts.” The Project’s fierce defence of Waleed Aly after ‘ugly fight’ with PM.​

Why the world can’t look away from Jacinda Ardern in the wake of the Christchurch attack.