Why Morrison’s story doesn’t add up

Scott Morrison’s explanation of why he secretly had himself sworn into five ministries – in case a minister was hospitalised with Covid – just doesn’t make sense, writes Matthew Killoran.

Something doesn’t add up about Scott Morrison’s explanation on why he secretly had himself sworn into five ministries.

He said it was needed as a redundancy in case a minister was hospitalised with Covid.

But this very situation happened, as he pointed out in his lengthy statement, with then Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton on March 13, 2020.

But Mr Morrison did not have himself sworn into his portfolio, despite taking the reins on Health and starting this saga the very next day.

It was more than a year into the pandemic the former Prime Minister had himself secretly sworn into the Home Affairs portfolio after promoting Karen Andrews into the role.

This was one of the most senior roles held by a woman in his government, and Mr Morrison took on the portfolio without telling the minister less than two months after her appointment.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison is seen with Karen Andrews MP. Picture: AAP Image/David Mariuz

This was a time when the government and Mr Morrison himself were battling a crisis over its handling of women’s policies, Brittany Higgins’ rape allegations and allegations against Attorney-General Christian Porter.

Josh Frydenberg was one of his closest allies, yet also was not told he was not the only one with power over Treasury.

If it was a contingency for Covid, why weren’t the ministers involved informed of the arrangement and why didn’t he take over other vital roles like Defence or Foreign Affairs?

If it was because of the fast-changing nature of the pandemic, why was it more than a year in when roles like Home Affairs and Treasury were brought into the PM’s power base.

Mr Morrison said he only used his powers once to stop a controversial offshore drilling project.

Earlier, he said he could only recall being sworn into three portfolios, but the revelations about Home Affairs and Treasury came just hours later.

There will be more to come as the Albanese Government continues its inquiry.