‘A very difficult walk’: Staffers, friends farewell Morrison at Kirribilli House

Federal election 2022

Scott Morrison hosted one of his last events at the waterfront Kirribilli House on Sunday, marking the end of his term as Australia’s 30th prime minister following Saturday’s stunning election defeat.

Morrison and wife Jenny were joined by friends, staffers and their families in the yard of the lower north shore residence on Sunday after attending an earlier service at their Pentecostal church.

Skies were grey, but the rain held off as the farewell festivities took place in the garden of the prime ministerial residence, with laughter and applause ringing out to Kirribilli Avenue through the afternoon.

Addressing the congregation at Sutherland’s Horizon Church earlier on Sunday, the outgoing prime minister held back tears reflecting on the “difficult walk” of the past four years in office.

“Jenny and I, and the girls, are very grateful to our church family here. You’ve given us a great foundation from which we can walk, what has been a very difficult walk, I gotta tell you,” he said on Sunday morning.

“At the last election, we really understood that it was for such a time as this. And now we both know it was for such a time as that”.

An emotional Morrison spoke of his faith and said he was pleased that the last time he spoke as prime minister was to the Sutherland congregation, before reading a series of bible passages from his phone.

“God calls us, whether you’re a prime minister or a pastor, running a business, teaching in schools, working in the police force, it doesn’t matter,” he added.

“We’re each called to trust and obey. And that’s the life of faithfulness … each and every day, regardless of what your job is.”

Morrison has attended services at the church with his family since 2007. It describes itself as a “Christ-centred, Word-based, Spirit-led church in the heart of the Sutherland Shire”.

In a post later published on his Instagram account, the outgoing prime minister thanked Liberal and National supporters and said the parties would “reflect and rebuild”.

He said it had been an immense privilege to serve during a time of “great trial” and wished incoming prime minister Anthony Albanese and his government well.

“I am now looking forward to returning to the Shire, my family and continuing to serve my local community. For me life has always been about faith, family, friends and community. We are not our jobs but who we are as unique individuals, (in my view), loved by God,” he wrote.

“Jenny and I thank Australia for the honour to have served. I thank my family, friends and colleagues for all their support, especially my dearest friend Josh Frydenberg.”

Morrison and his wife returned to Kirribilli House about midday on Sunday for the event with staffers, some attending with children. He and his family have lived in the prime ministerial residence since September 2018.

Prime Minister-elect Anthony Albanese has told colleagues he is not in a rush to move into Kirribilli House or The Lodge, the prime minister’s official residences in Sydney and Canberra, and that the Morrison family should take their time in moving out.

On election night, Morrison confirmed he would stand aside as leader but planned to remain in parliament and continue serving his electorate.

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