BREAKING: The solicitor-general has said Scott Morrison's secret appointment to the industry portfolio was legal but undermined the principles of responsible government. | LisaVisentin auspol
Solicitor-General Stephen Donaghue has found former Prime Minister Scott Morrison was validly appointed to administer the Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources portfolio, but the fact it wasn’t made public was “inconsistent” with conventions of responsible government.
“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 publicised. That conclusion does not depend on the extent to which Mr Morrison exercised powers under legislation administered by DISER, because from the moment of his appointment he was responsible for the administration of the department.
“We will make a future announcement about an inquiry. I am giving notice today that that inquiry will take place. This isn’t something that can be just dismissed. This is something that goes to our very system of government, which the solicitor-general’s advice makes clear,” Albanese said. “The report makes clear ... the Governor-General acted upon the advice of the government of the day,” he said.
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