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Scott Morrison at G7: Prime Minister criticised for ‘tone deaf’ pub lunch picture in UK

Staff WriterThe West Australian
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Scott Morrison outside the Jamaica Inn.
Camera IconScott Morrison outside the Jamaica Inn. Credit: Jamaica Inn/Facebook

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has been critcised for a ‘tone deaf’ picture outside a UK pub, angering people who have been unable to see loved ones overseas because of Australia’s border restrictions.

Mr Morrison, in Cornwall for the G7 summit, called into local pub the Jamaica Inn for lunch with an entourage of more than 20 people, according to a post on the establishment’s Facebook page.

Yesterday the bar shared a photo of the PM grinning with staff on its Facebook page.

“Pleasure to have the Australian Prime Minister and his 20+ personal team for lunch this weekend,” the post said.

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“You never know what you might find at Jamaica Inn.”

But the image didn’t go over well with some Aussies who have been unable to travel to see their families.

The administrator of one Facebook group, UK Mums in Melbourne, shared the picture along with an emotional post about how long it had been since they had seen family overseas.

“I cannot begin to tell you how rage-inducing this happy snap is for our community and for everyone stuck here in Australia with family in the UK,” the post said.

“We have to apply and be granted permission to leave the country, so yes, saying we feel stuck and trapped right now is not an exaggeration.

Scott Morrison outside the Jamaica Inn.
Camera IconScott Morrison outside the Jamaica Inn. Credit: Jamaica Inn/Facebook

“Yet here is Scott Morrison (ScoMo) and his 20 staff enjoying a UK pub lunch in Cornwall.

“How nice for them. No masks, no distancing. He made sure he was at the very front of the line to be vaccinated. H

“Have all aged-care residents and workers in Australia been vaccinated yet? Nope, not even close.”

“The double standard of it all is astounding.”

Other commenters echoed that post, declaring the picture ‘tone deaf’ given the amount of people separated from loved ones.

“Ahhh I’d love to be drinking in the pub with my UK family who I’ve not seen in 3 years - oh wait, I’m in Australia and we’re trapped here,” one wrote.

“Gallivanting around a country which is supposedly ‘COVID-ravaged’ and has case numbers which are supposedly an example of the reason he won’t even think about removing his inhumane border closures,” another wrote.

The post has garnered more than 850 comments so far.

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