Legal experts say a constitutional crisis could have been triggered had David Hurley refused the PM. Here’s what we know he did
Scott Morrison says David Hurley ‘acted with absolute propriety’ around the secret ministries. But questions linger over whether the Queen’s representative had any power to push back.Scott Morrison says David Hurley ‘acted with absolute propriety’ around the secret ministries. But questions linger over whether the Queen’s representative had any power to push back.
On Monday, a spokesperson for the governor general confirmed this had been done in keeping with the constitution.“These appointments do not require a swearing-in ceremony – the governor general signs an administrative instrument on the advice of the prime minister,” the statement read. Morrison’s appointments were not publicised on the gazette, in the parliament, via press release, or even communicated to most of the ministers holding the portfolios he was sworn into.told the ABC the governor general was “not just a rubber stamp” and had “a constitution to uphold”. What is unclear is whether Hurley asked Morrison about his intentions, or whether he knew the appointments would be kept quiet.
“If he hadn’t done so, that would have provoked a constitutional crisis. He did what was required of him. It’s important to realise he had no discretion,” Williams says, but notes the governor general does have the ability to ask for further information, or give advice to the government.Sign up to receive an email with the top stories from Guardian Australia every morning“What we don’t know is whether [Hurley] used those tools.
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.
Morrison’s secret ministry documents released as Dutton distances himself from former PMThe documents are all but identical and confirm in writing that Governor-General David Hurley signed off on the additional portfolios for Morrison.
Read more »
Morrison’s secret ministry documents released as Dutton distances himself from former PMThe documents are all but identical and confirm in writing that Governor-General David Hurley signed off on the additional portfolios for Morrison.
Read more »
Governor General: No reason to believe ScoMo's portfolios kept secretThe Governor General said he had “no reason to believe” Scott Morrison's five secret ministerial portfolios 'would not be communicated;' as calls grow for the former prime minister to resign as Member for Cook.
Read more »
Governor-general distances himself from secrecy surrounding Scott Morrison's extra portfoliosGovernor-General David Hurley has issued a second statement on the extra ministries Scott Morrison was appointed to whilst prime minister, distancing himself from the secrecy surrounding the moves. 9News
Read more »
Judge to consider unsealing Trump search affidavit as legal worries mountJustice department says making Mar-a-Lago affidavit public could jeopardize investigation as White House lawyers receive subpoenas in separate case
Read more »
Shine, Piper Alderman team up for Blue Sky legal actionClass action law firms Shine and Piper Alderman will jointly pursue the bankrupt Blue Sky Alternative Investments, rather than file overlapping and competing cases.
Read more »