11/24/2022
An inquiry into Scott Morrison’s secret ministries by former High Court justice Virginia Bell has recommended laws requiring public notice of the appointment of ministers to an office, after the former prime minister gave himself powers without telling even members of his own cabinet.
Mr Morrison secretly appointed himself to administer several ministries throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, and in one instance used the powers to overrule a minister in a matter unrelated to the pandemic.
Ms Bell refuted previous assertions by Mr Morrison that he gave himself the powers in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, saying self-appointments to the treasury, home affairs and industry, science, energy and resources portfolio had “little if any connection to the pandemic”.
She said Mr Morrison had also instructed his department to prepare a brief for his appointment to administer the agriculture, water and environment portfolio, though he decided not to proceed with it.
However the former justice confirmed Mr Morrison only used his secret powers in one instance — to overrule then-resources minister Keith Pitt to block a petroleum exploration licence, a decision unrelated to COVID-19.
The power grab was widely criticised by members of parliament and by the former cabinet, including former home affairs minister Karen Andrews, who called on Mr Morrison to quit parliament over the revelations.
“The unprecedented and inexcusable actions of the former prime minister were emblematic of the culture of secrecy in which the previous Government operated,” Mr Albanese said in a statement.
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