Scott Morrison

Former finance minister Mathias Cormann was left in the dark that the Prime Minister had sworn himself into his portfolio and was never informed of the ...

He had authority to direct any citizen in the country to do something, or not do something, to prevent spread of the disease.” He was off on a trip. I don’t know if it’s some Messianic complex but this is a serious matter,’’ he told ABC Radio National. It was during this process, when he was presented with a range of options, that the prime minister revealed to Mr Pitt he was secretly sworn in as the minister and could make the decision himself. “A declaration under section 475 gave Hunt as health minister exclusive and extraordinary powers. “One option was to delegate the powers to cabinet, but Attorney-General Christian Porter’s advice was these powers could not be delegated and could reside only with the health minister. Coalition sources have told news.com.au Mr Pitt then complained to the deputy prime minister, Michael McCormack, but was told: “He’s the prime minister”. The revelations of Mr Morrison’s decision to assume Mr Pitt’s portfolio and kill the multimillion-dollar proposal off the Newcastle and Sydney coast now threaten to blow up in a legal challenge in the Federal Court. It was unrelated to the pandemic and did not occur at the same time as the 2020 changes in the health and finance portfolios. While Mr Hunt was aware of the decision, Mr Pitt told colleagues he was not aware until the gas project decision. Bombshell revelations emerged over the weekend that Mr Morrison had sworn himself in as a second health minister and finance minister in March 2020, via a secret agreement struck by Mr Morrison and his then Attorney-General Christian Porter. Former finance minister Mathias Cormann was left in the dark that then-Prime Minister Scott Morrison had sworn himself into his portfolio and was never informed of the secret arrangement.

Former prime minister Scott Morrison secretly swore himself in as a second resources minister to kill off a politically damaging NSW gas project, ...

Climate activists in southern France have filled golf course holes with cement to protest against the exemption of golf greens from water bans amid the country's severe drought. Share Share Share Share Share

South Australia's autism community will get its own state government minister in an Australian first. Labor's Emily Bourke has been appointed assistant ...

And if we need more resources, we have to find them because, frankly, it’ll pay for itself if we could stop some of the money being ripped off.” “I’m meeting the agency today. “I fully support the Broderick review and the change it will hopefully lead to. “I think there is a problem. But to find out that he was ghosting his own cabinet ministers... But then there’s another way... A little bit odd would be the most generous statement of the day. I often thought that Scott Morrison would ghost the Australian people with his explanations. Why be secretive? They’ve most recently clashed over their individual bids for the NSW deputy leadership. He was off on a trip. Why not tell people?

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is seeking a briefing from his officials in the department of prime minister and cabinet this afternoon in Canberra on the ...

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is seeking a briefing from his officials in the department of prime minister and cabinet this afternoon in Canberra on the legality of Scott Morrison’s moves to swear himself secretly in as Health Minister, Finance Minister and Resources Minister during his time in office. Former Prime Minister Scott Morrison swore himself into Finance Minister Mathias Cormann’s job as a “backup” during COVID and did not tell him, Sky News has learned. Scott Morrison secretly swore himself in as Finance Minister without Mathias Cormann's knowledge in 'serious breach' of Westminster system

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is seeking legal advice on reports his predecessor, Scott Morrison, had himself secretly sworn-in to a host of portfolios. Mr ...

He joined the Canberra Press Gallery in 2019 where he was executive producer of Sky News's AM Agenda, before joining NCA NewsWire as a federal political reporter. He joined the Canberra Press Gallery in 2019 where he was executive producer of Sky News's AM Agenda, before joining NCA NewsWire as a federal political reporter. He has previously interned at the Kuwait Times. He has previously interned at the Kuwait Times. A shadow government that was operating in the shadows." If you have a cabinet government, you trust your cabinet," he told ABC's RN on Monday.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is seeking legal advice following reports former prime minister Scott Morrison secretly swore himself into at least three ministerial roles during his tenure as leader. Mr Morrison was secretly sworn in as finance ...

And if you don’t like the work a certain cabinet minister is doing, then you can talk to them about it.” “The other person – as I always say, they know their dung heap. Asked if Mr Pitt supported the decision, Mr Morrison responded: "It’s a decision of the Government and I decided to take the decision as the prime minister, which I'm authorised to do." Former Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce also told News.com.au that Mr Morrison was also secretly sworn in as resources minister during his tenure, and used his powers to overrule Resources Minister Keith Pitt and quash a controversial gas project. Mr Morrison was secretly sworn in as finance minister and health minister at the beginning of the COVID-19, according to reports published in The Australian. Extracts from the book, published on Saturday in the Australian, claim Mr Morrison was sworn as finance minister and health minister at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, over concerns the implentation of the biosecurity act would hand cabinet colleague Greg Hunt control of the country.

Mr Albanese has accused Mr Morrison of undermining Australian democracy by running roughshod over cabinet, saying his "tin-pot" system would be mocked if it ...

He joined the Canberra Press Gallery in 2019 where he was executive producer of Sky News's AM Agenda, before joining NCA NewsWire as a federal political reporter. He joined the Canberra Press Gallery in 2019 where he was executive producer of Sky News's AM Agenda, before joining NCA NewsWire as a federal political reporter. he told the ABC. If you have a cabinet government, you trust your cabinet," he told ABC's RN on Monday. A shadow government that was operating in the shadows." "This is a shambles, and it needs clearing up.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will investigate claims the former prime minister, Scott Morrison, swore himself into several ministries during the height ...

By Shiloh Payne By Shiloh Payne By Shiloh Payne I'll be getting a full briefing this afternoon. By Shiloh Payne By Shiloh Payne By Shiloh Payne By Shiloh Payne "Perhaps this explains why we didn't order enough vaccines. "This is very contrary to our Westminster system. "The Minister for Health might have thought the Prime Minister was ordering them because he was also the Minister for Health and he thought the Minister for Health was ordering them." I mean, the minister for health might have thought the prime minister was ordering them because he was also the minister for health, and he thought the minister for health was ordering them," he said.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says Australians need a prime minister that's "focused on the job that they're given,” after it was revealed former prime ...

Governor-General David Hurley has confirmed he swore Scott Morrison into multiple portfolios without an official ceremony. The revelation came just an hour ...

He joined the Canberra Press Gallery in 2019 where he was executive producer of Sky News's AM Agenda, before joining NCA NewsWire as a federal political reporter. He joined the Canberra Press Gallery in 2019 where he was executive producer of Sky News's AM Agenda, before joining NCA NewsWire as a federal political reporter. A shadow government that was operating in the shadows." he told the ABC. If you have a cabinet government, you trust your cabinet," he told ABC's RN on Monday. "This is a shambles, and it needs clearing up.

The Morrison Cabinet was in uproar. “Who the hell forgot to order the vaccines?” demanded Health Minister Scott Morrison.

“I need to be granted a few more portfolios. Be a bit of lark, eh?” said PM Morrison. “Send in Porter, will you? “Hmm. Not a bad idea, but Palmer’s the wrong mark. Put the squeeze on him for a couple of billion.” Hunt. Silly enough to get himself sworn in publicly, so the voters will think he’s responsible.”

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the move showed 'contempt for democratic processes' and is seeking advice as to whether it was even legal.

“We have a non-presidential system of government in this country, but what we had from Scott Morrison is a centralisation of power, overriding of ministerial decisions and all done in secret.” “This is quite extraordinary. “The people of Australia were kept in the dark as to what the ministerial arrangements were - it’s completely unacceptable,” he said.

There's a school of thought that suggests Scott Morrison had no need for a cabinet room, let alone ministers to sit at the table alongside him, ...

That Morrison had himself sworn into the health and finance portfolios in the dark days of a deadly pandemic was one thing. That's the weird thing." In the 2022 election he gave those tendencies a name — the bulldozer. "Because if they had done it and made it public, [it] probably would have been seen [as] pretty reasonable. The nation's leaders had few answers as a deadly virus crept through the community, quietly infecting, incapacitating and killing thousands. Sources have told the ABC that then-health minister Greg Hunt agreed to Morrison joining him as health minister as a safeguard in case he was incapacitated by COVID-19.

Government sources say Morrison took control of Keith Pitt's portfolio to reject exploration licence in lead-up to election.

“It is not uncommon for ministers to be appointed to administer departments other than their portfolio responsibility. “Questions around appointments of this nature are a matter for the government of the day and the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. Similarly, the decision whether to publicise appointments to administer additional portfolios is a matter for the government of the day.” All four seats were lost at the 21 May election.

Constitutional experts warn Scott Morrison created a legal "mess", after Governor-General David Hurley confirmed he handed the former prime minister control ...

He joined the Canberra Press Gallery in 2019 where he was executive producer of Sky News's AM Agenda, before joining NCA NewsWire as a federal political reporter. He joined the Canberra Press Gallery in 2019 where he was executive producer of Sky News's AM Agenda, before joining NCA NewsWire as a federal political reporter. He has previously interned at the Kuwait Times. He has previously interned at the Kuwait Times. If you have a cabinet government, you trust your cabinet," he told ABC's RN on Monday. he told the ABC. A shadow government that was operating in the shadows." "This is a shambles, and it needs clearing up. "[I] haven't seen what he has said. It's exactly why you wouldn't do something like this in the first place. "Maybe the last in time would have the final say, but it would be a mess. Advertisement

Former prime minister Scott Morrison has spoken out after his successor Anthony Albanese lashed him for running a “shadow government”.

Australians will be scratching their heads today knowing that the Government that they thought was there wasn't actually the Australian Government at all. New to Flash? Try 1 month free. Stream more on politics with Flash. 25+ news channels in 1 place.

Governor-General David Hurley has confirmed he swore Scott Morrison into multiple portfolios without an official ceremony. The revelation came just an hour ...

You cannot govern Australia in this secretive way," Mr Dreyfus told 6PR. "This is the sort of tin-pot activity that we would ridicule if it was in a non-democratic country," he said." "No doubt all that fit into his logic, but I wasn't part of that. "This is a shambles, and it needs clearing up. "[I] haven't seen what he has said. A shadow government that was operating in the shadows." Backbenchers, who were unaware of the arrangement, also needed transparency to hold their leader accountable. Advertisement He wouldn't have had any right to refuse." Advertisement "They'd be in conflict, and then how do you deal with that? Advertisement

Australian PM Anthony Albanese says he will investigate reports that his predecessor, Scott Morrison, secretly assumed three roles in the ministry.

And more crucially, why the secrecy? We don't have a presidential form of government," Mr Joyce told Channel 7. Mr Morrison was sworn in as a second resources minister - joining Keith Pitt - last year. "Since leaving the job I haven't engaged in any day-to-day politics," he told Sky News Australia. I believe in a cabinet system of government where ministers are responsible for their own portfolio. It was "consistent with section 64 of the constitution", a spokesperson said.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is seeking advice as to the legality of former prime minister Scott Morrison secretly swearing himself into additional ...

It was in fact Mathias Cormann at the time. “What did Peter Dutton and other continuing members of the now shadow ministry know about their circumstances? You create that environment in the cabinet room to have those discussions. “It is not uncommon for ministers to be appointed to administer departments other than their portfolio responsibility. Cormann was unaware of the unusual arrangement. It’s a decision-making process that he’s made.”

The Albanese government is exploring the possibility that the former prime minister may have had been appointed to other ministerial roles.

“There is a legal trail that needs to follow… On the advice of then-attorney-general Christian Porter, Morrison sought to be able to exercise these powers rather than handing them to junior minister Richard Colbeck if Hunt were to catch the virus. It’s a decision-making process that he’s made,” Dutton told ABC Radio. We put out a press release, I went to Government House and was sworn in,” he said. The public are entitled to know who is responsible for what”. A spokesperson for the department said, “The Prime Minister has asked the Secretary of the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet to provide advice on this matter.”

Scott Morrison has given a curt response to criticism that he “trashed” the democratic process by having himself secretly sworn into other cabinet ministers' ...

Please click below to help InDaily continue to uncover the facts. They say Morrison secretly took on the health and finance portfolios when the COVID pandemic reached Australia in March 2020. “We have a non-presidential system of government in this country, but what we had from Scott Morrison is a centralisation of power, overriding of ministerial decisions and all done in secret.” Pitt, it was reported, was told that he was only one of two resources ministers in the Morrison government and so did not have the authority to green-light the project himself. “It’s fundamental that if anyone is appointed a minister, or with the responsibilities of a minister, it should be public,” Turnbull told The New Daily. Morrison’s successor as Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, on Monday described the clandestine arrangements as “trashing” democratic process and said his predecessor had run a “shambles” government that was not real.

Former prime minister declines to comment as Peter Dutton and other senior ministers say they were 'not aware' of appointments.

Spokespeople for all three departments refused to comment, instead referring inquiries to the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet. It was the same mechanism used to delegate particular legislation to other ministers in the event of a conflict of interest. I’ll be getting a full briefing this afternoon,” Albanese said on Monday. This is throwing aside all of the traditions of Westminster parliamentary democracy.” The attorney general, Mark Dreyfus, said Morrison had behaved in a “dictatorial, but worst of all, secretive way”. Since leaving the job I haven’t engaged in any day-to day-politics.”

The Governor-General confirmed the former prime minister was given additional powers during his tenure.

"Obviously the prime minister had his reasons, his logic for it, but it was not was not a decision that I was a party to or was aware of," Mr Dutton said. "It's an issue for the then prime minister, as it is for this prime minister." But he stressed it was a matter for the former prime minister. “It's really very troubling that this happened in this way, particularly without ministers even being aware that they've been shadowed by the Prime Minister and that does strike at the heart of how the system is meant to operate.” According to reports in The Australian newspaper, Mr Morrison was appointed as health minister alongside Greg Hunt and finance minister alongside Mathias Cormann at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020. A spokesperson for the Governor-General said in a statement the appointments were undertaken by signing an “administrative instrument on the advice of the Prime Minister,” following “normal processes”.

Former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull says he is "astonished" the Governor-General was willing to go along with Scott Morrison's secretive appointment to ...

We need to know who is the minister for this, who is the minister for that. Mr Turnbull said he regretted describing the proposal as a "third chamber" of parliament while he was prime minister. "Similarly, the decision whether to publicise appointments to administer additional portfolios is a matter for the government of the day." "Questions around appointments of this nature are a matter for the government of the day and the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet," the statement read. "We, the people, are entitled to know who is governing our country. - Mr Turnbull says he regrets describing the Indigenous Voice to parliament as a "third chamber"

Recent revelations that former Prime Minister Scott Morrison secretly swore himself in as a co-minister in three portfolios suggest why he stood so firmly ...

Still, Morrison was steadfast in his opposition to a Federal ICAC with the capacity to hold him accountable. He did this after the Federal Court declared the National Cabinet not to be a part of the federal executive. But certainly, the whole affair is so irregular – so outside the long-established conventions of responsible government − that it should stretch the credulity of any objective observer. None of this makes any sense, unless one suspects that perhaps some perfidy was afoot. As PM, he even implemented new legislation declaring his “National Cabinet” of state ministers to be a subcommittee of the Federal Cabinet to prevent disclosure of its discussions. Morrison said he would not be commenting on any “on water matters” ─ and that was that. His media appearances were simply PR exercises, in no way designed to elucidate the electorate. His then Attorney-General Christian Porter – who has since skulked away from politics – declared that it was. And Morrison loves the dark. ...Questions around appointments of this nature are a matter for the government of the day and the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. Similarly, the decision whether to publicise appointments to administer additional portfolios is a matter for the government of the day. The Governor-General, following normal process and acting on the advice of the government of the day, appointed former Prime Minister Morrison to administer portfolios other than the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet... This state of affairs was taken to the next level by Morrison as Immigration Minister in the Abbott Government when he took the almost inconceivable and unprecedented step of refusing to answer any questions about boat arrivals.

PM alleged to have 'predetermined' application after project was blocked despite recommendation to the contrary by national petroleum administrator.

Morrison declined to comment on the ministerial arrangements and did not respond to Guardian Australia’s request for an interview. This was provided on the same day as the prime minister held a press conference in Terrigal alongside four Liberal MPs to announce the government would block the application. It provided these on 22 January, before Morrison and Toole made a final decision to refuse the project. A media release was also issued jointly on that day with other Liberal Party MPs representing coastal electorates. “In circumstances where the prime minister had publicly committed to a final position of refusing the application, prior to receiving the submissions of the application dated 22 January 2022 … it can be inferred the Prime Minister did not properly take into account the applicant’s submissions and in the premises the application was not given an opportunity to be heard,” it states. “The prime minister predetermined the application and did not bring an impartial and unprejudiced mind to the resolution of the function he was required to perform in March 2022 to determine the application,” it states.

The controversial exploration for gas in an area that stretches from Sydney's North Head to Newcastle was vetoed by Scott Morrison.

“Our project has the potential to supply 20 years worth of gas for NSW, and we have committed to inject all of our produced gas into the domestic market.” Breeze said Asset Energy could deliver gas to the domestic market within two years of completing its well. “In light of significantly changed circumstances in the international energy market following the war in Ukraine, and the prospect of sustained higher energy prices and gas shortages in Australia, we are urging Federal and NSW governments to reconsider their position and allow limited, safe, and sustainable exploration activity,” he said. In a filing to the Federal Court appealing the decision, Asset Energy, which owns 85 per cent of the permit, argued that the then “Prime Minister breached the requirements of procedural fairness in that he predetermined the application and the purported decision was infected by actual bias”.

Governor-General David Hurley has confirmed that former prime minister Scott Morrison was appointed to additional portfolios during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"This is very contrary to our Westminster system. It's unclear what it means for Scott Morrison in the interim, but he told Sky News he had not seen what Mr Albanese said, and "since leaving the job I haven't engaged in any day-to-day politics". Mr Albanese has confirmed he has asked the secretary of the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet to seek advice about the matter — including from the solicitor-general, Stephen Donaghue. He also said it was not uncommon for ministers to be appointed to "administer other departments other than their portfolio responsibility", and Mr Morrison was not required to go through the formal swearing-in ceremony. Nationals MP Keith Pitt, who was the resources minister in the Morrison government, has told the ABC that he "certainly made inquiries" about the appointment, but ultimately accepted Mr Morrison's decision. Mr Morrison has told Sky News that he has not seen what Mr Albanese said, and "since leaving the job I haven't engaged in any day-to-day politics".

In the final days of the election campaign, Scott Morrison was filmed shoulder-barging a schoolboy on a rugby field. Little did we suspect he'd been doing ...

The whole thing was hatched at the top and signed off by the governor-general, on the prime minister’s advice (as is usual practice). Little did we suspect he was doing the same to the Westminster model of government during his whole prime ministership. He reportedly neglected to tell Cormann, who only found out when the rest of us did. To be fair, he was busy. Tony Abbott ate the onion and Kevin Rudd wrote a children’s book about his cat. Former British PM Gordon Brown reportedly consumed nine bananas a day during his time in office.

The Prime Minister says there may be more ministries former prime minister Scott Morrison secretly took joint control of, as questions are raised about ...

Let's be very clear here, it is Scott Morrison who initiated this extraordinary and unprecedented action." "There's clearly a flaw in our system of relying on unwritten constitutional conventions. "It's set up to investigate serious or systemic corruption. "Convention in this country is that the identity of ministers is published in the Gazette, that the identity of ministers is known to parliament." "The Governor-General acted on the advice of the government of the day. "The powers that be in the attorney-general's department will be looking at this and there will be some debate about whether this is the sort of thing that should be looked at by an ICAC," he said.

The former PM's secret portfolios have attracted condemnation from all sides of politics, the person selected for a London-based NSW trade role had to have ...

“When I put myself in a position to take that decision, I informed Keith [Pitt] at that point. I’ve got no issues with the decisions I’ve made. “The minister makes their own decision.

Former prime minister says he has apologised to former finance minister Mathias Cormann but defends resources portfolio move.

We had to take some extraordinary measures to put safeguards in place … None of these in the case of the finance and the health portfolio ever required – were required to be used – and they were there as a safeguard. As we’re reported, Morrison used the extraordinary powers to overrule the resources minister and block the Pep11 gas exploration licence off the coast of NSW. The senior officer will only approve the registration if it is appropriate and justified. But she says when it comes to the finance and resources portfolios it is not clear what Morrison’s motivation was: Queensland could become the fourth jurisdiction to sign a treaty with Indigenous peoples. An administrative arrangements order, dated 28 June 2021 and signed by both Morrison and the governor general David Hurley, sets out a small number of changes of responsibility among ministers. The AAO shows that those powers were actually held by the home affairs minister previously – not the social services minister. The climate drivers (mostly La Nina and a negative Indian Ocean dipole) that have been pushing extra moisture into much of eastern Australia have not been benefitting western Tasmania. On Thursday we get July labour force data and an update of the 3.5% jobless rate posted in June, in particular. An administrative arrangements order, dated 28 June 2021 and signed by both Morrison and the governor general David Hurley, sets out a small number of changes of responsibility among ministers. The AAO shows that those powers were actually held by the home affairs minister previously – not the social services minister. AAP earlier reported that Scott Morrison had himself sworn into the social services portfolio last year.

Scott Morrison has defended himself over taking control over multiple government ministries during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"These appointments do not require a swearing-in ceremony. Advertisement Advertisement I don't intend to pass judgment ... blame for this lands squarely on the former government. "We had to take some extraordinary measures to put safeguards in place. Advertisement "The powers in those portfolios, they weren't overseen by cabinet. Advertisement I don't dispute that. Advertisement "The prime minister has a responsibility to inform the parliament, the public and to inform his cabinet." "He owes it to the office of prime minister and the exalted position that we have this country to reflect and actually give an explanation to clear this up and give clarity," he told the ABC.

Former prime minister Scott Morrison says he took the “unconventional” move to assume responsibility in several portfolios due to the “unprecedented times” ...

“I think it is quite ordinary that he took these steps without actually letting other members of that cabinet know that step had been taken. I think Scott Morrison can do that very quickly if he comes forward.” I think everyone just needs to take a calming breath and a cold shower to be honest,” Mr Pitt told ABC Radio. “I thought it had been through offices, to be honest. I’ve apologised to Mathias for that,” he told Nine Radio. Mr Albanese would not be drawn as to whether he believed the Governor-General acted in the best interests of the country, saying he had “taken the advice of the government of the day”. “I think it does warrant an explanation … It is important out of respect to the institution that the former prime minister gives an explanation,” he said. “At the end of the day, he didn’t use the powers as health minister or finance minister,” he said. At first, he said he “didn’t recall” that happening, but went on to say if that had been the case it was purely administrative. “We’d discussed the issue, but I’d always respected Keith’s role as the decision maker, and if I wished to be the decision maker, then I had to take the steps that I took,” Mr Morrison said. “At the end of the day, he didn’t use the powers as health minister or finance minister,” he said. He said ultimately he made that decision because the “buck stops with the Prime Minister”.

Former prime minister says appointing himself to multiple portfolios was a necessary safeguard during the pandemic.

The document also specifically says the social services minister has power over most of the social services legislation. Morrison said it was an “oversight” that Cormann was not told, and that he had apologised to him. An administrative arrangements order, dated 28 June 2021 and signed by both Morrison and the governor general, David Hurley, shows Morrison took on a small section of social services responsibility. Albanese said he had received a briefing on Monday on legal advice from the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet about Morrison’s ministerial arrangements. “None of these, in the case of the finance and health portfolio, were required to be used. Morrison also said he took responsibility over the resources portfolio to make a decision about the PEP-11 gas exploration project in 2021.

"Turns out, he was the world's first stealth bulldozer. Operating in secret, keeping the operations of the government from the Australian people themselves." Mr ...

"We had to take some extraordinary measures to put safeguards in place. "The powers in those portfolios, they weren't overseen by cabinet. Mr Albanese revealed that Mr Morrison was appointed health minister alongside Greg Hunt on March 14, 2020. "Turns out, he was the world's first stealth bulldozer. Mr Albanese didn't criticise Mr Hurley's role in the scandal, saying he was acting on the advice of the government. Mr Albanese said he expected to receive advice from the solicitor-general on Mr Morrison's use of the "extraordinary powers" next Monday.

Anthony Albanese says former PM oversaw 'unprecedented trashing of our democracy'

Albanese said he had not been advised that any of Morrison’s appointments had an end date, meaning the former prime minister may have held all five of those roles until the Coalition lost power. “I, as leader of the opposition, agreed to special powers, for example for the Minister for Finance, to make payments in an emergency circumstance because of the pandemic. He acknowledged in a 2GB radio interview that he had assumed responsibility for the health, finance and resources portfolios, but asked whether there were any others, Morrison responded: “Not to my recollection.” “When somebody leaves parliament, you are fundamentally out of the system and you are not accountable,” he said. And we did that on the basis of Mathias Cormann giving commitments about consultation should any of that expenditure be necessary.” “Turns out, he was the world’s first stealth bulldozer.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says Scott Morrison's decision to secretly swear himself in to five ministerial portfolios was an "unprecedented trashing of ...

"I have endeavoured to set out the context and reasoning for the decisions I took as Prime Minister in a highly unusual time. In hindsight these arrangements were unnecessary and until seeking advice from the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet today, I had not recollected these arrangements having been put in place. I regret this, but acted in good faith in a crisis. “And why is it done secretly?” “If it's a narrow definition, then it will have a limited role of investigation. By Shiloh Payne By Shiloh Payne By Shiloh Payne By Shiloh Payne By Shiloh Payne By Shiloh Payne By Shiloh Payne

Scott Morrison held five secret portfolios during the pandemic, including Home Affairs and Treasury.

"We had to take some extraordinary measures to put safeguards in place. "The powers in those portfolios, they weren't overseen by cabinet. Mr Albanese revealed that Mr Morrison was appointed health minister alongside Greg Hunt on March 14, 2020. Advertisement "Turns out, he was the world's first stealth bulldozer. Advertisement

Scott Morrison has defended himself over taking control over multiple government ministries during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"These appointments do not require a swearing-in ceremony. Advertisement Advertisement I don't intend to pass judgment ... blame for this lands squarely on the former government. "We had to take some extraordinary measures to put safeguards in place. Advertisement "The powers in those portfolios, they weren't overseen by cabinet. Advertisement At one point, there were reports Mr Morrison also had control of the social services portfolio. I don't dispute that. Advertisement "The prime minister has a responsibility to inform the parliament, the public and to inform his cabinet."

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Four decades in the media, working in print and television. Four decades in the media, working in print and television. I also believe that he has a great many partners in crime who are just as much of a threat. Heather reckons we should take a step back from the US: "Trump or a Trump-like figure could be in the White House again. So far, our independent electoral system and preferential voting have saved us from the same media-driven extremist efforts that are clearly present on our side of 'the lake'." Elaine is hoping it's all over for the orange one: "Heaven forbid the megalomaniac Trump gets back into power, Australia and the world will be in even more strife. I do love the Echidna and appreciate this opportunity to have a say. His own nasty preselection, the rise through the ranks of the NSW Liberal Party, his role in overthrowing Malcolm Turnbull, they all speak to a ruthless rat cunning in the pursuit of power. He has a track record of controlling behaviour in NSW, where in the lead-up to the last election - and, indeed, in the 2019 poll - he interfered disastrously with the preselection process. - Aged care workers are sceptical the federal government's ambitious planned reforms to the sector can be achieved, a survey shows. We saw it on election day, with the release of information on the asylum boat interception - a clear, politically motivated departure from protocol. "Since leaving the job I haven't engaged in any day-to-day politics."

PM Albanese says Mr Morrison held five extra portfolios but the ex-PM said he acted "in good faith".

If this was really about taking charge in a time of crisis, why the cloak and dagger approach? Mr Albanese was asked if he knew why. "I believe I made the right decision in the national interest." But what is clear is that this is a stark break with constitutional conventions. "Once having been given the authority to consider this matter I advised the Minister of my intention to do so..." "There was a lot going on," he said.