Governor-General David Hurley’s diary makes no mention of the five times he handed extra ministerial powers to then-prime minister Scott Morrison.
Mr Morrison took on the health, finance, treasury, home affairs, industry, science, energy and resources portfolios between March 2020 and May 2021.He has faced heavy criticism for taking on the portfolios, in most cases without his colleagues’ knowledge, andBut Mr Morrison’s actions have also drawn in the governor-general, who signed off on the appointments.
Constitutional experts doubt Mr Hurley’s or Mr Morrison’s actions were illegal but have criticised the breach of convention. The Governor General’s Program lists in detail the numerous activities of Mr Hurley, including phone calls, official events and luncheons. This is not recorded in Mr Hurley’s diaries. The day after though, he notes presenting the “Duke of Gloucester Sash” at the 2020 National Sheep Dog Trial Championships in Canberra.Likewise on March 30, when Mr Morrison was given power as finance minister, Mr Hurley’s diaries don’t reference it.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Governor-general's diary blank on secret ministerial powers granted to Scott MorrisonGovernor-General David Hurley's diary details various events and phone calls but says nothing about handing extra ministerial powers to the former prime minister.
Read more »
Censure motion plan against Morrison over secret ministriesScott Morrison will face a test in parliament over his secret appointments to five ministries after the Speaker was asked to refer it to the House privileges committee.
Read more »
Calls for Governor-General to explain Scott Morrison diary omissionThere was no reference to the actions in the Governor-General's diary, which lists in detail his numerous activities, including phone calls, official events, meetings and swearing-in ceremonies. 9News
Read more »
‘Crazy’ media reaction to Scott Morrison’s secret ministriesThe media’s reaction to revelations Scott Morrison secretly swore himself into five ministries has been “crazy,” Sky News Digital Editor Jack Houghton says. “Morrison has been compared to dictators, despots, and one commentator, Jane Caro, even published this conspiracy theory that it was a secret religious clutch for power,” he said. Mr Houghton said the powers the former prime minister wielded – shrouded from the public and even his colleagues – were “disturbing” but all governments in Australia have been “guilty of absurd overreaches in power”. “This is one of the lesser examples when compared to the fact we were all told we couldn't leave our homes,” he said. “In that broader context I find the collective outrage against Morrison hypocritical and dishonest.”
Read more »
Scott Morrison's secret appointments nowhere to be found in Governor-General's reportsA quick glance through the Governor-General's regularly updated program reveals plenty of public activities. But the appointment of Scott Morrison to five secret ministries is nowhere to be found.
Read more »
Scott Morrison's secret appointments nowhere to be found in reports about Governor-GeneralA quick glance through the Governor-General's regularly updated program reveals plenty of public activities. But the appointment of Scott Morrison to five secret ministries is nowhere to be found. FarrellPF abc730
Read more »