Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese slams Scott Morrison

• Former Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison allegedly held five secret portfolios.
• Anthony Albanese called the actions of his predecessor “unprecedented trashing of our democracy”.
• Mr. Morrison is facing calls to quit as a member of parliament.

Former Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison allegedly held five positions in the government covertly, according to current Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.

He called the actions of his predecessor “unprecedented trashing of our democracy.”

Following the discoveries, which started to surface on Monday, Mr. Morrison is receiving calls to quit as a member of parliament.

He has, however, defended them by stating that they were taken during the Covid epidemic and that he “acted in good faith in a crisis.”

On Tuesday, Mr. Albanese said that the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet had informed him that Mr. Morrison had shared the portfolios of health, finance, treasury, home affairs, and resources in the two years prior to his May loss of office.

According to Mr. Albanese, this “intentionally undercut the checks and balances that are so crucial and essential for our democracy.”

Some ministers, including the former finance minister Mathias Cormann, apparently had no idea that Mr. Morrison shared their responsibilities with them.

Former home affairs minister Karen Andrews promised to request that Mr. Morrison resign from his position as a member of parliament.

She told news.com.au that the prime minister’s actions “undermine everything that a federal government constitutionally should stand for.”

However, Mr. Morrison attempted to defend his actions in a lengthy Facebook post. He said that his actions were taken to ensure that the government could function even if ministers were rendered incapable by Covid.

“The risk of Ministers becoming incapacitated, sick, hospitalised, incapable of doing their work at a critical hour or even fatality was very real,” he said.

He said he had neglected to add himself to the extra portfolios, and he acknowledged that doing so had been superfluous. He said, “There was a lot going on.”

He claimed that his decision to take on the resources portfolio was unusual because he wanted to acquire the authority to defy his minister and halt a contentious gas project.

“Once having been given the authority to consider this matter I advised the Minister of my intention to do so…” he said. “I believe I made the right decision in the national interest.”

Mr. Albanese stated that the Australian Solicitor General will be providing him with legal counsel over Mr. Morrison’s actions.

Also Read

Anthony Albanese rejects NSW premier’s call to cut seven-day Covid isolation period

Covid leave benefits should continue through September, says chief minister of Australian...