Federal Treasurer Josh Frydenberg has defended Prime Minister Scott Morrison against allegations he was involved in a campaign of racial vilification that targeted Michael Towke in 2007.
Mr Towke was the former Liberal candidate for the seat of Cook, before he was disendorsed and replaced by Mr Morrison who went on to win the seat at the 2007 federal election.
Breaking his 15-year silence on those events, he told Nine newspapers in an interview published on Sunday that he completely stands behind the that detailed the alleged tactics used by Mr Morrison to win support in a second ballot to decide the preselection candidate.
"[Scott Morrison was] adamant and explicit that a candidate of Lebanese heritage could not hold the seat of Cook, especially after the Cronulla riots," he told The Sun-Herald and The Sunday Age mastheads.
The details were revealed publicly yesterday in The Saturday Paper, following earlier in the week.
The Saturday Paper also revealed the contents of a second statutory declaration, signed in 2016 by Scott Chapman, a delegate in the preselection, who said he was told directly by Scott Morrison in 2007 "that there was a strong rumour about that 'Michael Towke is actually a Moslem' [sic]".
In his interview with Nine newspapers, Mr Towke, who is a Catholic, said Mr Morrison was "front and centre" of a racial vilification campaign targeting him.
“Amongst many unedifying tactics used to unseat me from my preselection victory for Morrison, racial vilification was front and centre and he was directly involved," he said.
“Racism is divisive, creating hate and hurt, and should have no place in Australian society.”
Mr Morrison has rejected claims he made a racist comment against an opponent during his 2007 preselection.
"These are quite malicious and bitter slurs, which are deeply offensive, and I reject them absolutely," he told reporters during a press conference in Tasmania on Sunday.
On Sunday, Mr Frydenberg said he stands by Mr Morrison and completely rejects the allegations of involvement in a racial vilification campaign.
"There is not a racist bone in Scott Morrison," Mr Frydenberg said in response to questions from SBS News while campaigning in Melbourne.
"The prime minister has categorically denied those allegations," he said, referring to Mr Morrison's previous response to questions during a press conference on Saturday.
He invoked mention of Sydney GP Dr Jamal Rifi, a prominent member of the Australian Lebanese community.
"And what's more Jamal Rifi, who is an Australian Lebanese Muslim leader. He has made very clear: that there is not a racist bone in Scott Morrison. That is from him. Those are his words."
Mr Frydenberg said in his own interactions with Mr Morrison there have been no instances of racism.
"I can only speak from my own experience. He [Scott Morrison] is someone who cares deeply about his community, about his country and has provided very strong leadership in these most extraordinary times."
Dr Rifi told SBS News on Sunday the allegations against the prime minister don't stack up with what he knows of Mr Morrison based on his dealings with him.
"To be honest, I met him [Scott Morrison] numerous times. We had dinners together. He has seen religious leaders numerous times. He has been a uniting force, not a divisive force," he said.
"I said that actually Scott Morrison has no racist bone in him [and] I still believe he has no racist bone in him."
Dr Rifi said it was not the first time these allegations have been spoken about, and he believes they have been revived again "for electioneering issues".
"For it to emerge now, it shows some people in the Liberal Party are circulating these rumours. And they are mainly people who are outside the tent, rather than inside the tent," he said.
Asked to reflect on why the claims against Mr Morrison are emerging now, Mr Frydenberg referred to an ongoing court case over NSW Liberal preselections.
"Well, obviously there's been issues with the New South Wales division. That has obviously led to some comments at this particular time."
The NSW Court of Appeal is expected to decide as early as Monday on a case over a preselection dispute.
Matthew Camenzuli, a member of the Liberal state executive, is pushing for local party members to have a greater say in key NSW seats.
He is seeking to overturn the preselections of Immigration Minister Alex Hawke in Mitchell, Environment Minister Sussan Ley in Farrer, and North Sydney MP Trent Zimmerman.
The appointments were decided by a three-person committee consisting of Mr Morrison, NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet, and former federal Liberal Party president Chris McDiven.
Social Services Minister Anne Ruston said she believes the timing of the allegations are suspect, labelling the claims a '"political hit-job".
"It is disappointing to see such a calculated, political hit-job on the prime minister on the eve of the election by his enemies," she told Sky News's Sunday Agenda program.
"I don't think there has been any prime minister who has done more for the multicultural communities of Australia, including the Lebanese community."
Assistant Treasurer Michael Sukkar, a second-generation Lebanese Christian, tweeted that he supports the prime minister, saying Scott Morrison has always supported multiculturalism.
As one of the few Australians of Lebanese descent in the Parliament, I feel compelled to weigh in on recent media reports concerning @ScottMorrisonMP," he wrote in a statement on Twitter.
"In my experience, there is no MP, let alone PM, who's shown more support, care and respect for the Australian Lebanese community."
Labor treasury spokesman Jim Chalmers said he doesn't believe in the prime minister's denials.
"I don't think anyone believes the prime minister, frankly," he told Sky News. "I don't think people believe the prime minister more broadly."
