Australia: Former PM's secret appointments to ministries 'fundamentally undermined' responsible government

Australia’s former prime minister Scott Morrison has come under scrutiny in recent days following the revelation of his secret appointments during the pandemic. The country’s solicitor general said Morrison “fundamentally undermined” responsible government with such appointments.

The country’s solicitor general issued a written assessment criticizing the move by Morrison to secretly appoint himself to five ministries during the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite being legally valid, Morrison’s secret appointments were not in line with responsible government as per the country’s constitution.

“That is because it is impossible for Parliament and the public to hold ministers accountable for the proper administration of particular departments if the identity of the Ministers who have been appointed to administer those departments is not publicized,” said the solicitor general.

Speaking to reporters Tuesday, current Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the recommendation by the solicitor general was a “very clear criticism” of the implications for Australia’s parliamentary democracy. Albanese also said his cabinet agreed that a further investigation would be made to answer questions on the issue.

“Scott Morrison owes the Australian people an apology for undermining our parliamentary democracy system of government that we have – something that can’t be taken for granted,” said Albanese.

Morrison said he acted in good faith to protect the country “in the face of multiple crises.” Morrison added that the solicitor general’s advice would “help guide any changes in these areas.”

Three ministers were not aware that they were sharing power with Morrison over their ministries of home affairs, treasury, and finance until the revelations last week. Morrison said he only intervened in the resources ministry to block an offshore gas project.

Meanwhile, Wednesday last week, Australian officials said they were able to relocate Afghanistan’s Olympic flag-bearer Kimia Yousofi and other Afghan athletes and their family members who fled the country from Taliban rule.

The Australian Olympic Committee said five Afghan families who have “ties to the Olympic movement” arrived in Australia in recent months after a 12-month project to relocate them. Aside from Yousofi, Afghan taekwondo athlete Ahmad Abasy, who was a medallist in the Asian Games, was also relocated to Australia.

31 family members arrived in Australia overall in recent months, from June until early this month.