The Office of the Official Secretary to the Governor-General says there needs to be a better system of notifying the public when ministers are appointed, even as the independent body insists that ultimate responsibility for disclosure sits with the government of the day.

The startling concession came as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed he will allow for a rare release on Tuesday of advice from the solicitor-general, who has looked into the legality of Scott Morrison’s secret appointments to five ministries.