Modern Australian
Men's Weekly

.

Morrison's passion for control trashed conventions and accountability

  • Written by Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra

The only credible explanation for Scott Morrison personally installing himself, as an undisclosed ministerial partner, in several portfolios is the former prime minister’s passion for control.

The fact he didn’t tell senior colleagues, let alone the public, of this strange arrangement reflects another of his passions – for secrecy.

The revelation of the arrangement has further tarnished Morrison’s already battered reputation after his humiliating election loss.

As of late Monday, Morrison had given no public explanation for his highly unorthodox and indefensible behaviour towards his ministers.

He texted Sky, which sought comment, that since leaving the prime ministership he had not “engaged in any day to day politics”. Sky quickly pointed out he’s still in parliament.

Morrison’s odd conduct was revealed in a new book, Plagued, by Simon Benson and Geoff Chambers, journalists with The Australian.

They wrote that early in the pandemic Morrison “hatched a radical and until now secret plan […] He would swear himself in as health minister alongside [Greg] Hunt.

"Such a move was without precedent, let alone being done in secret, but the trio [which included attorney-general Christian Porter] saw it as an elegant solution to the problem they were trying to solve – safeguarding against any one minister having absolute power.

”‘I trust you, mate,’ Morrison told Hunt, ‘but I’m swearing myself in as health minister, too.’

“It would also be useful if one of them caught Covid and became incapacitated. Hunt not only accepted the measure but welcomed it.

"Considering the economic measures the government was taking, and the significant fiscal implications and debt that was being incurred, Morrison also swore himself in as finance minister alongside Mathias Cormann. He wanted to ensure there were two people who had their hands on the purse strings,” Benson and Chambers wrote.

This “elegant solution” was anything but. In allegedly protecting against a minister having too much power, it was just increasing the prime minister’s power. As for a minister becoming incapacitated: replacing them quickly is easy.

Unlike Hunt, Cormann didn’t even receive the courtesy of being told he had a silent ministerial partner.

Morrison did not exercise any powers as finance minister but it was another story in resources, as we have learned as more information comes out.

According to The Australian, in April 2021 Morrison was appointed minister for the portfolio industry, science, energy and resources.

Later that year, with the election approaching, the PM used his power to veto the permit for the PEP11 gas exploration off the NSW coast. This was a highly political move to try to save and win votes. The bid, however, was unsuccessful – all four backbenchers whose names were on the press release lost their seats.

Then resources minister Keith Pitt – who had another view on the exploration issue – has indicated he knew of the dual ministerial power some time before and wasn’t happy.

Read more: Explainer: Scott Morrison was sworn in to several portfolios other than prime minister during the pandemic. How can this be done?

Morrison at the time was asked about his earlier line that the ultimate decision on the drilling lay with Pitt. “I decided to take the decision as the prime minister, which I’m authorised to do,” he said.

In retrospect, his wording was precise, alluding to his own ministerial power.

The matter is now in court, where Morrison is named as “the responsible Commonwealth minister”.

Barnaby Joyce, Nationals leader before the election, knew of Pitt’s situation (as did Joyce’s predecessor, Michael McCormack) although he wasn’t aware of the other double ups.

David Littleproud, now Nationals leader, on Monday described Morrison’s behaviour as “pretty ordinary”. “If you have a cabinet government, you trust your cabinet.”

Opposition leader Peter Dutton was in the dark, saying, “Obviously the then prime minister had his reasons, his logic for it, but it was not a decision I was party to or was aware of. It was a decision-making process that he’s made.”

Anthony Albanese has sought advice from the Solicitor-General and was being briefed on Monday about the arrangement.

“This is extraordinary and unprecedented,” Albanese said. Morrison had been running “a shadow government that was operating in the shadows”.

It was “the sort of tin-pot activity that we would ridicule if it was in a non-democratic country”.

Governor-General David Hurley indicated in a statement from his office that the constitutional provisions had been satisfied.

“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,” the statement said.

“The appointments were made consistently with section 64 of the Constitution.

"It is not uncommon for ministers to be appointed to administer departments other than their portfolio responsibility. These appointments do not require a swearing-in ceremony – the Governor-General signs an administrative instrument on the advice of the prime minister.”

This highlights the different between what is legal and what is proper.

Morrison was savvy enough to ensure his arrangement did not flout the law. But it did flout the conventions of how cabinet government and ministerial accountability should work.

Morrison treated senior colleagues with disdain.

He treated the public as mugs, undeserving of the right to know.

But, though the voters had no idea of this strange and narcissistic arrangement, they knew him well enough to decide in May that he wasn’t the leader they wanted.

Authors: Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra

Read more https://theconversation.com/view-from-the-hill-morrisons-passion-for-control-trashed-conventions-and-accountability-188747

Why Reliable Air Conditioning Services Are Essential for Year-Round Comfort

Melbourne’s climate is known for its unpredictable swings—from scorching summers to chilly winters. This variability makes it crucial for homes ...

Expert Plumbing Solutions in Perth: From Hot Water Systems to Leak Detection

Plumbing is one of those things we often take for granted—until something goes wrong. From stepping into an unexpectedly cold shower to discovering ...

Eco-smart Car Removal in Sydney: Practical Steps That Cut Waste and Return Value

Sydney’s ageing cars add up to a serious waste stream, and choosing the right removal service makes a measurable difference. Your decision sends m...

Measuring the Success of Your Bus Advertising Campaign

Bus ads turn everyday travel into high-reach media. They move through busy corridors, sit in traffic where people can read them, and keep working af...

Partner Visa Pathways: Onshore vs Offshore Applications Explained

Choosing between Australia’s onshore and offshore partner visa routes affects timing, travel, work rights and budget. This guide explains the stru...

Serving Styles Compared: Buffet, Grazing, or Plated for the Office

Choosing how to serve food at a work function shapes the pace of the event, how people mingle and how smoothly the agenda runs. The right format dep...

5 Essential Tips for Hiring Gold Coast Plumbers

Finding the best plumber on the Gold Coast can be as complex as navigating a network of pipes, requiring an expert who is capable, reliable, and s...

Hidden Costs of Moving You Need to Budget For (And How to Avoid Them)

Moving house ranks among life's most busy experiences, and discovering unexpected expenses along the way certainly doesn't help with stress levels. Wh...

Understanding Australian Building Regulations: What Every Mornington Builder Wants You to Know

If you live on the Mornington Peninsula, you likely already feel the risk of bushfires,hot, dry summers, nearby bushland, and epic wind events. That...

Top 5 Home Exercises Recommended by Chiropractors for Better Posture

In today’s world of endless screen time and back-to-back Zoom meetings, it’s no surprise that posture-related issues are on the rise. From achin...

Simple Home Exercises to Manage Chronic Pain and Improve Mobility

Living with chronic pain doesn’t have to mean a life of limitation. Many people struggling with persistent discomfort find themselves moving less...

Smart Renovation Tips for a Sleek, Low-Maintenance Interior

In a world where time is tight and stress is high, our homes should feel like a refuge not another to-do list. That’s why smart renovations are tr...

Stay Cool in Queensland: The Complete Guide to Choosing the Right Air Conditioner

Introduction Queensland’s warm, humid climate makes a reliable air conditioning system an essential part of daily life. Whether you’re creating a...

Proving Partner Visas with Lawyers and Solid Evidence

You’re ready to build a life with your partner in Australia but the visa process quickly turns something personal into something official. Suddenl...

The History and Philosophy Behind Osteopathic Medicine

Osteopathy is more than just a hands-on approach to relieving pain—it’s a holistic health philosophy with roots in history, science, and a deep ...

Common Bathroom Renovation Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Renovating a bathroom can be one of the most rewarding home improvement projects, offering both enhanced functionality and a fresh aesthetic. Howeve...

5 Simple Home Modifications to Support Occupational Therapy Goals

Every year, thousands of Australians face mobility challenges, chronic pain, or sensory issues that make daily tasks difficult. Simple changes at ho...

The Cost of Converting a Shipping Container into a Liveable Space

Container conversions often require more planning and labour than expected Early costs include foundations, framing, and structural reinforceme...