Littleproud defends Barnaby’s decision not to speak up about ScoMo power grab

A senior party figure has responded to his predecessor’s surprising interviews about Scott Morrison’s secret power grab.

Nationals leader David Littleproud has defended his predecessor Barnaby Joyce’s decision not to speak up about Scott Morrison’s secret ministerial power grab.

The former prime minister secretly appointed himself as the joint minister of the health, finance, treasury, home affairs, and industry, science, energy and resources portfolios between 2020 and 2021.

Mr Joyce has said in several media interviews over the past two days he did not challenge the former prime minister’s taking control over the resources portfolio for fear of retribution which he said would have cost the Nationals a cabinet position.

“It was quite obvious he had the power to overrule decisions and that became apparent,” Mr Joyce told Sunrise on Monday.

“I didn’t say anything …. It was quite obvious that if the (former) prime minister wanted to, he would take the ministry off us.”

Mr Joyce stressed Mr Morrison hadn’t “done anything illegal” and should not have to resign from parliament.

Mr Littleproud backed Mr Joyce’s decision not to stand up to Mr Morrison, saying his predecessor had worked with “the information that was provided to him” in a “sensible and pragmatic way”.

“I think what we’re talking about here was a very narrow part of the resource portfolio around an individual decision that had no effect on the National Party whatsoever,” Mr Littleproud told the ABC on Monday.

“This wasn’t an issue that was upsetting to the entire Coalition party room and the National Party.

“The National Party really only had peripheral views on this.”

David Littleproud has vowed to be pragmatic. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

Mr Morrison used his powers over the resources portfolio to overrule then-minister Keith Pitt and block the controversial PEP-11 gas exploration project off the NSW coast in under-threat electorates.

Mr Morrison last week claimed this was the only time he used his additional powers as a joint minister.

Mr Littleproud has promised to work in a bipartisan way with the Albanese government on possible reforms to parliamentary processes to close the loophole which allowed Mr Morrison to assume control of five additional ministries.

“We’ll be collaborative in making sure that we can put the framework around our democratic institutions to protect them, to build that trust and keep that trust for generations to come,” Mr Littleproud said.

“We’ll work with the government to make sure we do that.”

Mr Littleproud said the government needed to “be constructive” rather than continue what he described as a “witch hunt” against Mr Morrison.

Barnaby Joyce defended his reaction to the Scott Morrison news. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Andrew Taylor

Mr Littleproud told Sky News earlier he and Opposition leader Peter Dutton would be “pragmatic” in their approach to legal advice on Mr Morrison’s actions.

Anthony Albanese is set to release on Tuesday legal advice from the Solicitor-General on whether Mr Morrison broke the law by secretly appointing himself to five portfolios.

The Prime Minister on Sunday flagged a review into his predecessor’s conduct even if the Solicitor-General found no laws were broken.

Reforms to close the loophole which allowed the former prime minister to take control in presidential-style are also being considered.

Originally published as Littleproud defends Barnaby’s decision not to speak up about ScoMo power grab