Scott Morrison censured by parliament in historic vote

Scott Morrison has become the first prime minister to be censured by the House after he refused to back down in a sensational speech.

• Explained: What censure means for ScoMo

Scott Morrison has become the first former prime minister to be censured in the house despite a last-ditch effort to convince colleagues the motion was nothing but “political intimidation”.

The former prime minister delivered a textbook Morrison response to the censure and refused to back down as he faced accountability in parliament for secretly appointing himself to five ministries.

“I am proud at a time of extreme trial, my government stood up and faced the abyss of uncertainty that our country looked into, the coercion of a regional bully, and saw Australia through the storm,” he said.

“I have no intention now of submitting to the political intimidation of this government, using its numbers in this place to impose its retribution on a political opponent.”

“These are the behaviours of an opposition, not a government who understands that grace in victory is a virtue.”

Bridget Archer was the sole Coalition MP to cross the floor to vote for the censure motion, which passed the House 86 votes to 50.

Scott Morrison defends himself during the censure motion. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

The Tasmanian said she did not accept Mr Morrison’s explanation in deciding to vote against her former boss.

“I'm deeply disappointed for the lack of apology or more importantly, the lack of understanding of the impact of the decisions,” she said.

“This is a clear opportunity for a line to be drawn and to move in the right direction. We must heed the message sent to us at the May election.”

The Coalition backed in its former leader and voted against the motion it claimed was a “political stunt”.

But former minister Karen Andrews, who called on Mr Morrison to resign after she learned he had appointed himself to the home affairs portfolio without her knowledge, abstained for the vote.

In a statement to NCA Newswire, she said the censure motion was never about “fixing the problem”.

“The government has had ample time to introduce remedies in accordance with the Bell recommendations,” Ms Andrews said.

“I expected Labor to milk this and that is exactly what they did – this was never about fixing the problem but a political stunt.”

Bridget Archer speaks with Helen Haines. Picture: NCA NewsWire

In his lengthy defence, Mr Morrison offered a qualified apology to those who were offended by his secrecy but said he would not say sorry for “saving Australians’ lives”.

He added he would have come clean on his actions if someone had asked.

A Labor MP yelled across the aisle that Mr Morrison’s statement was a classic example of a “sorry, not sorry”.

The former prime minister again denied swearing himself into the five ministries was a “power grab”, insisting none of his additional powers were used, except in case of rejecting the offshore gas project PEP11.

“This was done lawfully, and I consider my decision to be the correct one,’ he said.

Following his address, the former Liberal leader was embraced by his Coalition colleagues who engaged in a mass walkout as debate on the motion continued.

Sussan Ley congratulates Scott Morrison after his speech defending himself over a censure motion. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

Mr Morrison tapped away on his iPad during the censure motion. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

Leader of the House Tony Burke moved the symbolic motion on Wednesday morning that noted Mr Morrison’s failure to disclose his secret appointments to parliament, cabinet and the Australian people.

“Today is not how any office wanted to make history, but censure, while rare, has its place,” Mr Burke said.

The motion noted former High Court Justice Virginia Bell, in her inquiry into the secret ministry scandal, found Mr Morrison’s actions fundamentally undermined the principles of responsible government because he was not responsible to the parliament for the departments he was appointed to administer.

Anthony Albanese had not planned to speak on the motion but told the House he felt compelled to respond to Mr Morrison’s defiant address.

“This was an abuse of power and a trashing of our democracy, and the Bell inquiry makes that so clear. So clear, for this parliament to have an inquiry and then not respond comprehensively to it, would not be it doing its duty,” the Prime Minister said.

Originally published as Scott Morrison censured by parliament in historic vote