Prime Minister Scott Morrison has denied ever telling a lie in public life, after French President Emmanuel Macron and former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull both accused him of lying to them in recent weeks.
Mr Macron has said he knew he was lied to by Mr Morrison over Australia’s decision to terminate a contract worth $90 billion to build submarines.
Mr Turnbull last week also accused Mr Morrison of lying to him multiple times during his time in politics during a press conference weighing into the diplomatic fallout.
Mr Morrison has denied misleading the French leader over the sudden termination of the submarine contract in favour of securing nuclear technology through a defence pact with the United States and United Kingdom.
Asked on Friday by 3AW radio host Neil Mitchell if he had ever told a lie in public life, Mr Morrison replied: “I don’t believe I have, no.”
Mr Morrison said he had learnt not to take accusations made against people in public life personally.
“That’s politics, people take sledges at me all the time,” he said.
“I have learned in public life over a long period of time to not have a thin skin, to not get bitter, to stay focused on the job.
“You’ll get slings and arrows from everywhere … if you haven’t got the thick skin to deal with that then you’re in the wrong job. I tend not to take things personally.”
Mr Macron made the accusation against Mr Morrison when he was asked at the G20 summit in Rome about whether thought he was lied to over the submarine deal.
"I don't think, I know," he responded.
Labor has sought to seize on Mr Morrison's Friday interview, with frontbencher Chris Bowen tweeting the Prime Minister was "lying about lying".
Mr Morrison said he wasn't concerned about being branded a liar ahead of the next election, saying he had made decisions in the national interest.
“I’m making the decisions to protect Australia’s defence interests. I wasn’t intimidated by the fact it might upset some people,” he said.
The Prime Minister also confirmed the election would be held next year.
