Q&A: Australian of the Year David Morrison fires up over claim domestic violence data shows decline.

David Morrison, the new Australian of the Year, was decidedly bubbly on Q&A on Monday night.

In a politician-free year-opener for the program, he played down his success on Australia Day and laughed off questions about a future political career. He even jokingly objected to Tony Jones calling him a “creature” of the Army.

But at the mention of the scourge of domestic violence, General Morrison — who came to national prominence via a passionate speech on respect for women — turned serious.

Was controversial former Labor figure Mark Latham right, an audience member asked, when he said statistics showed domestic violence cases were on the decline? Is it just a case of “the squeaky wheel gets the grease”?

“What do you want to do,” General Morrison replied. “You want to compare a particular figure from a year to a year?”

Nothing should take Australia’s attention from domestic violence, he said, calling the issue the “greatest social challenge we face”.

“Get real, Australia. We run the risk of being a nation of bystanders comforted by statistics.

“There are people dying and people whose lives are absolutely ruined as a result of domestic violence and, what’s more, we are all as a society the victim. That’s bullshit.”

The profanity drew reactions on Twitter. General Morrison, as if just catching his breath, immediately added: “Sorry, I swore on your program, Tony.”

Morrison ‘fesses up’ as Stan Grant reveals political ambitions

That now-famous YouTube clip got a mention on a lighter note, too.

It was a direct, fiery speech and it caused an immediate stir. But that best bit, about the standard you walk past is the standard you accept? He pinched it.

“I’m only telling you, and I don’t want you to repeat it,” he joked, when asked about his campaign on matters of diversity.

“‘The standard you walk by is the standard you accept’ doesn’t belong to me or [my former speech writer] Cate McGregor, it belongs to the Governor of NSW, David Hurley. I hope you are watching.”

Journalist Stan Grant — who also saw his star rise via the publication of a rousing speech — was another who grabbed attention online during the show, even though it was more for his stated intentions than any colourful language.

“Clearly, there is a responsibility and obligation to the words of that speech,” he said, when asked by an audience member whether he might consider a future in politics.

“This is not a political answer, by the way — [I’m] not trying to be a politician before my time. But, yes, I would consider something. Is it in my thoughts? Yes, it is in my thoughts.”

Grant, Guardian Australia’s Indigenous editor, was candid on what form any political tilt might take — and for which party he might contest an election.

“This is a great country and my people still suffer in this country and if I can make a contribution to that, then I think it behoves me to do that.”

He said there was still “no flesh on the bone”, to which Jones replied: “You might get a few phone calls tomorrow [on Tuesday]”.

This post originally appeared on ABC News.