‘Do your job’: Morrison urges MPs to point out stark difference between Coalition and Labor

While telling colleagues disunity could cost the Coalition government, Scott Morrison acknowledged his own focus on the looming political battle needed to be sharper. Photograph: Mick Tsikas/AAP

Scott Morrison has urged colleagues to ramp up examples of “sharp contrast” with Labor as the opposition signalled it could support a strengthening of the character test legislation despite previously helping to scuttle the proposal in the Senate.

The prime minister has revived the Coalition’s character test bill in the hope of wedging Labor on national security in the final sitting weeks of the current parliament. Morrison is attempting to regroup politically after an internal revolt scuttled his signature religious discrimination legislation last week.