Australian former PM censured over key secret ministry posts

Australia’s parliament on Wednesday censured ex-prime minister Scott Morrison for secretly appointing himself to several key ministries during the COVID-19 pandemic, delivering a rare and stinging rebuke.

By a vote of 86 to 50, the parliament said that the former conservative leader’s actions “eroded public trust in Australia’s democracy” and made proper accountability impossible.

It is the first time in Australian history that a former prime minister has been formally censured by the House of Representatives.

Over two years, Morrison had himself sworn in as minister for finance, home affairs, treasury, resources, agriculture and environment – without telling the public, parliament or existing ministers.

“He owes an apology to the Australian people for the undermining of democracy,” said Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, whose center-left party ousted Morrison in a May 2022 election.

Wednesday’s vote fell largely along party lines, with political rivals seeking to frame the debate as beyond party politics, or motivated entirely by it.

Morrison was in the chamber for much of the debate and listened largely impassively as he was denounced.

When he rose to speak, it was to issue a strident defense of his actions, and to accuse the Labor government of partisanship, “political intimidation” and trying to “impose its retribution.”

“I am proud of my achievements in this place, and I am proud of my government,” he said.

Morrison did express some misgivings about keeping his appointments secret and claimed he would have told the public if asked by journalists.

“I acknowledge that the non-disclosure of arrangements has caused unintentional offence and extend an apology to those who were offended,” he said in a statement.

“I do not apologize for taking action, especially prudent redundancy action, in a national crisis in order to save lives and to save livelihoods.”