But Ms Sudmalis acknowledged Mr Morrison had made mistakes with more recent remarks including his claim last year that the vaccine rollout was not a race.
The former Liberal MP,who held the NSW south coast seat of Gilmore for six years,recalled the conversations with Mr Morrison after being asked if he had lied when he stood next to Mr Turnbull and promised to support him.
Some of Mr Turnbull’sallies have argued that Mr Morrison played a “double game” by promising to support Mr Turnbull against his challenger,Peter Dutton,while building the numbers to become leader himself.
“Do you rule out having any leadership ambitions?” a journalist asked Mr Morrison when he was standing alongside Mr Turnbull in Parliament House on 22 August 2018.
“Me? This is my leader and I’m ambitious for him,” Mr Morrison said. Two days later he ran for the leadership and replaced Mr Turnbull.
Shown the footage of the 2018 remark on ABC TV programThe Drum on Wednesday night,Ms Sudmalis said she knew the background in what was the worst week of her political career.
“When I spoke to Scott he said:‘I don’t want this job – I’m not ready for it yet’,” she said.