An Australian government senator has accused Prime Minister Scott Morrison of being "an autocrat" and "a bully with no moral compass".
Scott Morrison. Photo: AFP
Concetta Fierravanti-Wells launched the blistering attack on her party leader in a Senate speech late on Wednesday.
It came moments after the government unveiled the federal budget - its key pitch to win re-election in May.
Morrison dismissed the senator's criticisms, arguing she was disgruntled about her own career.
Fierravanti-Wells, a senator for 17 years, is unlikely to be re-elected after losing a battle for a prominent spot on the Liberal Party's ticket.
In a lengthy speech to the chamber, she argued the prime minister had "destroyed" their party by eschewing processes and installing his favoured candidates.
"In my public life I have met ruthless people. Morrison tops the list. Morrison is not fit to be prime minister," she said.
She added she had received "hundreds if not thousands of emails" from party members who "don't like Morrison and they don't trust him".
Fierravanti-Wells also accused Immigration Minister Alex Hawke, an internal powerbroker, of trampling on the party's constitution.
On Thursday, Morrison blamed the senator's criticisms on her failed pre-selection efforts.
"I understand that she's disappointed - and I join a long list of those that she's said these things about at times like this," he told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
Morrison has said he will soon announce a general election for "mid May".
The government's budget on Wednesday revealed high-profile policies aimed at easing the cost of living - seen as a crucial election battleground.