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Scott Morrison faces censure over secret ministry posts
Morrison appointed himself minister for finance, home affairs, treasury, resources, agriculture and environment, without telling the public or existing ministers.
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Australia's Prime Minister Scott Morrison speaks to the media to announce sanctions on top Russian officials following the invasion of eastern Ukraine, during a press conference in Sydney on February 23, 2022. (AFP/Steven Saphore)
O
usted Australian prime minister Scott Morrison will face censure in parliament for secretly appointing himself to several key ministerial posts during the COVID-19 pandemic, his successor Anthony Albanese said Monday.
Morrison appointed himself minister for finance, home affairs, treasury, resources, agriculture and environment, without telling the public or existing ministers.
A recent inquiry by a former high court judge found his actions had been "corrosive of trust in government" and recommended closing several loopholes that allowed the appointments to remain secret.
Despite much outrage and scrutiny over the move however, Morrison's actions were ultimately found to be legal.
Albanese said parliament would now try to change the law to make sure ministerial appointments have to be made public.
He also said his conservative predecessor -- who lost an election in May -- should be held politically accountable.
"We will introduce legislation later this week to make sure that this can never ever happen again," Albanese announced, heaping pressure on Morrison to resign his seat in parliament.
The ex-premier has defended his actions as "prudent" and necessary during a global pandemic.
Albanese on Monday said a motion of censure would be introduced to the Labor-controlled House of Representative this week by either the leader of the house or the attorney general.
"This wasn't about a relationship between the former prime minister and his ministers. It's not a personal relationship between two mates over what happened down the pub," Albanese said during a news conference.
"This is about accountability of our democratic system, and whether the parliament was functioning properly."
An inquiry led by former High Court judge Virginia Bell last week made six recommendations for reform after finding the appointments likely hurt public confidence in government.
Having committed to all six changes, Albanese said legislation to require public notification of ministerial appointments will be introduced this week.
Regulatory changes that don't require legislation have already been made, he added.
