‘That gets under my skin’: Tasmanian politicians blast Morrison

Two Tasmanian voices in Canberra have lashed former Prime Minister Scott Morrison, stating he should consider resigning or be investigated for secretly taking on five portfolios.

Two key Tasmanian voices in Canberra have lashed former prime minister Scott Morrison, saying he should either consider resigning or be investigated for secretly assuming five ministries.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is expected to receive legal advice from the solicitor-general on Monday as to whether Mr Morrison taking on five ministerial portfolios was done so within the law.

That advice is expected to be made public on Tuesday.

On Monday, Liberal Bass MP Bridget Archer pushed for an inquiry into Mr Morrison’s handling of the secretly acquired ministries during his time as prime minister.

Ms Archer said suggestions he should resign was a “matter for him.”

Bass MP Bridget Archer.

“People should reflect on the great privilege and responsibility that they have when they’re elected to these roles and think about whether they are fulfilling those obligations – if they’re not, they might want to reflect on doing something else,” she told he ABC.

“I think it still leaves a lot of questions unanswered.

“There needs to be some investigation or inquiry around how this occurred.”

But Tasmanian Senator Jacqui Lambie pulled no punches.

“I would (resign). I think it taints the rest of us and that gets under my skin, to be honest with you,’’ Senator Lambie said.

Senator Jacqui Lambie said the people of Cook have the final say on Scott Morrison’s political future. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

She said it was ultimately up to Mr Morrison’s electorate of Cook to make the call on his future in politics.

“The only people who can put pressure on him are the people of Cook who elected him in the first place,” Senator Lambie said.

“So they need to decide for themselves whether or not this is normal behaviour or this is just really unsatisfactory and it’s not on and need to start making calls to his office to ask him to leave.”

The Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will consider ordering a review into Mr Morrison’s conduct. Picture: Gaye Gerard / NCA Newswire

Mr Albanese was to be briefed on the advice from Solicitor-General Stephen Donoghue on Monday. It will then go to cabinet before being released publicly.

“I intend to release that advice so that people can see it and be transparent about it,” Mr Albanese said.

Over a period of two years, Mr Morrison secretly appointed himself as the joint minister in the health, finance, treasury, home affairs, industry, science, energy and resources portfolios. Mr Albanese said there had not been a suggestion his predecessor acted illegally.

“There have been questions raised about how this could occur, how it fits in with the conventions and the normal accountability mechanisms and checks and balances that are there in our parliamentary democracy,” he said, adding that he would consider ordering a review into the conduct.

Australia's former prime minister Scott Morrison has backed his decision to secretly take on five ministries. (Photo by Steven Saphore)

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Originally published as ‘That gets under my skin’: Tasmanian politicians blast Morrison