Scott Morrison apologises as Anthony Albanese probes how many secret jobs former PM had

The former prime minister has spoken publicly for the first time since news broke that he secretly took on ministries, and has made an apology call to his colleague.

Former prime minister Scott Morrison made a surprise call to a radio station to address, for the first time, revelations that he had secretly appointed himself as minister to a number of portfolios.

Mr Morrison called into Ben Fordham’s 2GB radio show this morning and admitted it was an “error” not telling the former finance minister Mathias Cormann that he had secretly appointed himself to his portfolio.

Mr Morrison said he had called the former leader of the government in the Senate to apologise.

“That was an error and an oversight and I’ve apologised,” he told 2GB radio.

Mr Cormann discovered over the weekend that Mr Morrison had appointed himself to the portfolio without addressing the change with him.

So far, it has emerged that Mr Morrison was appointed as a minister for health, finance and resources during his time in power through a secret mechanism that did not require him to make the change public. Only then-health minister Greg Hunt was made aware that Mr Morrison was joining his portfolio.

Mr Morrison said he thought the fact he had appointed himself to jointly have power in the finance portfolio had been “sorted” between he and Mr Cormann’s offices, but admitted he never bothered to tell his colleague.

“Things were moving very quickly at the time,’’ he said.

“None of us are perfect. There was no sense of bad faith in it.”

But he defended the decision to “safeguard” the portfolios as prudent, given the risk a minister could be taken down by Covid and be unable to administer their portfolio.

Mr Morrison said it was “not his recollection” that there were other portfolios he had appointed himself to, but said he was checking.

“I’m pursuing that, but not to my recollection. There were a number (of other portfolios) that we considered at the time to safeguard,” he said.

Former PM Scott Morrison has spoken after it was revealed he had secretly appointed himself as minister to a number of portfolios. Picture: Saeed Khan/AFP

Asked why he never told the public, Mr Morrison said he was appointed “as a safeguard” but his powers were not used.

In the lengthy interview, the former prime minister conceded his separate intervention in the resources portfolio was a different matter.

On Sunday, news.com.au revealed Mr Morrison had sworn himself in as resources minister without the knowledge of the existing minister, Keith Pitt. He ultimately used that power to roll Mr Pitt on a plan to drill for gas off the New South Wales coast.

In his interview with Fordham, Mr Morrison conceded this appointment had nothing to do with the Covid-19 pandemic. He said he informed the minister Mr Pitt when he decided to intervene.

Asked about fresh reports he had also appointed himself to the social services portfolio on June 28, 2020, Mr Morrison said that was not his recollection.

“No. Not to my knowledge. No,’’ Mr Morrison said. “I don’t recall that.”

‘There may be more’

Speaking on ABC radio this morning, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese also said he was not aware whether the social services portfolio was one of Mr Morrison’s secret appointments but said he would seek further advice.

Mr Albanese said “there may be more” portfolios that Mr Morrison secretly appointed himself to, as he launches an investigation into the bombshell revelations.

Describing the situation as “extraordinary” and “unprecedented”, the Prime Minister said he simply could not understand the mindset that decided keeping Mr Morrison’s extraordinary move a secret was a good idea.

Cabinet will be briefed on the unfolding scandal this morning, but preliminary advice suggests that the three portfolios that Mr Morrison is believed to have been secretly appointed to may not be the full extent of the changes.

“There may well be more,’’ Mr Albanese told ABC Radio National.

“But I’ll have more to say about that. It may well be that it takes some time to get to the bottom of this.

The Prime Minister said Scott Morrison may have appointed himself to more portfolios than what has currently been revealed. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

“This really does undermine our democracy. Our democracy is precious and it relies upon accountability.

“And this, this cowboy action, I likened it to some tin pot regime. Well this is Australia.”

Mr Albanese said he was “not aware” whether or not Mr Morrison secured extra pay for his additional jobs, but doubted this was the case.

Solicitor-General Stephen Donaghue QC is also probing the ­legality of Mr Morrison’s ministerial arrangements.

In a statement, the Governor-General David Hurley insisted he was acting on the advice of the former Prime Minister when swearing him into the extra portfolios, and disclosing the arrangements was a matter for him.

Asked if he still had confidence in the Governor-General, Mr Albanese said his job was to take the advice of the Prime Minister.

“The Governor-general acted on the advice of the government of the day,’’ he said.

“Let’s be very clear here, it is Scott Morrison that initiated this extraordinary and unprecedented action.

“I think that the blame for this lands fairly and squarely with the former government — not just the Prime Minister — clearly other ministers knew that this was going on, they chose not to make it public.”

Mr Albanese said Mr Morrison’s actions undermined Australia’s democracy. Picture: Asanka Ratnayake/Getty Images

Secret appointments revealed

Revelations emerged over the weekend via the new book Plagued, that in March of 2020, Mr Morrison was sworn in as a second health minister and second finance minister.

None of these moves were revealed to the public. Former health minister Greg Hunt was briefed on the changes but former finance minister Mathias Cormann was not.

Mr Morrison broke his silence on the matter on Monday, texting a Sky News journalist to say he doesn’t “engage in day-to-day politics”.

He was responding to Sky News host Kieran Gilbert, who offered him a right of reply to Mr Albanese, who had blasted Mr Morrison’s secrecy.

“Haven’t seen what he has said,” Mr Morrison texted. “Since leaving the job I haven’t engaged in any day-to-day politics.”

The Prime Minister has launched an investigation into the shocking revelations. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

Mr Albanese said that response was unacceptable.

“Well, he’s a member of parliament,’’ he said. “I find that quite an extraordinary dismissal by a former prime minister.”

The former prime minister is still collecting a $211,250 salary as a backbench MP and recently skipped the first week of parliament to travel overseas.

Speaking to Mr Fordham, Mr Morrison said the text message had been misinterpreted.

He also said it was a “private” text message.

“I continue to do my job as a local member,’’ he said. “That was a private text message. I think it’s been misunderstood.”

Mr Albanese has confirmed he will seek advice on the legality of Mr Morrison’s appointments.

Former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull also slammed revelations that Mr Morrison secretly swore himself into up to five portfolios as “sinister” and “incredible”.

Mr Turnbull said he was shocked by the revelations.

Asked if he had ever secretly sworn himself into other minister’s portfolio he confirmed he had not.

“No, I think this is one of the most appalling things I have ever heard in our Federal Government,’’ Mr Turnbull told ABC TV.

“This is sinister stuff. This is a secret government. What Albanese said today about it is absolutely right.”

Taking to Twitter on Tuesday, he continued: “We should be very concerned that a Prime Minister, an Attorney-General, the Governor-General and apparently their officials thought Morrison’s sinister secret state appointments were legitimate.

“Did anyone object? Resign in protest? All showed a grave lack of respect for and understanding of democratic governance.”

Mr Turnbull has backed calls for an investigation.

Originally published as Scott Morrison apologises as Anthony Albanese probes how many secret jobs former PM had