The former PM’s stubborn defence of his secret powers has infuriated the Coalition, but MPs stopped short of calling on him to resign, while the governor-general has defended his role.
Morrison’s closest political ally and fellow member of the parliamentary prayer group, Stuart Robert, also distanced himself, saying it had been “unwise” for the former leader not to inform cabinet of his actions, but there was no need for him to resign.
Morrison confirmed that then-attorney-general Christian Porter advised on the legal process for acquiring extra ministerial powers, but Porter was not told when his own industry portfolio was also co-opted by the prime minister in May 2021. Former prime minister John Howard said Tuesday Morrison should not resign from Cook as it was not in the Liberal Party’s interests to have a by-election, a view confirmed by three Liberal MPs who spoke to theOne MP, who asked not to be named, said he was stunned by the revelations from the upcoming bookcolumnist] Niki Savva’s book hasn’t come out yet”.
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