Cronulla locals demand Scott Morrison resign from parliament after secret minister scandal

Former prime minister Scott Morrison’s own constituents in his beloved Cronulla have turned on him, with some demanding he resign from parliament.

Scott Morrison has always painted himself as the champion of the Cronulla area – and his beloved Sharks NRL team – at the heart of his electorate of Cook.

But along Cronulla’s bustling esplanade and beach walk on Wednesday, many of his constituents were furious at the revelations of the former prime minister’s actions when he led the nation and adamant he must resign from parliament.

Multiple members of the public approached by news.com.au said they had lost trust in their federal MP in the wake of the bombshell news that he secretly had himself sworn in to five different ministerial portfolios while prime minister.

On Tuesday, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese revealed his predecessor appointed himself to the portfolios of home affairs and treasury, in addition to the already known health, finance and resources.

In most cases the relevant ministers had no idea it had happened.

Mr Morrison later took to Facebook to apologise for his actions in an 1279-word statement, saying the impacts of the pandemic required an “unprecedented policy response” which he approached in “good faith”.

He launched another defence in a fiery press conference on Wednesday, during which he was grilled for deceiving the Australian public.

Former prime minister Scott Morrison defends his actions at a press conference on Wednesday. Picture: Steven Saphore / AFP

But his explanations were not accepted by some of his constituents.

Liam Mulhall, a 72-year-old Sutherland Shire resident, told news.com.au an inquiry into Mr Morrison’s actions should be held to determine his future.

“On the outcome of the inquiry, if it’s found that he’s done wrong, which it sounds like he has, then yes he should (resign),” he said.

“Unless there’s a very good reason that (he) can explain, it certainly looks like (his actions) were not the right thing to do.”

Mr Morrison is seen leaving his home in Sydney on Tuesday, following the shock revelations. Picture: Gaye Gerard / NCA NewsWire

Mr Mulhall’s comments come after former home affairs minister Karen Andrews called for Mr Morrison to leave parliament after he appointed himself to her portfolio, unbeknown to her.

“I had absolutely no knowledge and was not told by the (prime minister) nor the department secretary. This undermines the integrity of government,” Ms Andrews said in a statement.

“I think that Scott Morrison needs to resign.”

Shire local Denise, 71, who was already “angry” with the former prime minister, said that she was very disappointed by his actions and feared that if he remained in parliament he would be a “puppet master pulling the strings”.

“I’m so angry about it, and the thing I’m really angry about is I’m a Christian and he is giving Christians such a bad name because he’s underhanded and he says, ‘oh, I’m a Christian’ – Christians don’t (keep) underhand secrets,” she said.

Denise’s friend Jack added: “He is a man who has no concern for the welfare of this country, just like Donald Trump (in the US).”

Local Joey, 36, admitted he wasn’t across all the detail but said it sounded like Mr Morrison’s actions were “pretty poor”.

But others were unfazed by the revelations, either saying they didn’t care or that they didn’t know anything about them.

Cronulla locals have mixed feelings about Mr Morrison’s decision to be sworn in to five ministerial portfolios without telling the public – or even the ministers who already held them. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Adam Yip

Cook has been in Liberal hands since 1975. Mr Morrison first won it in 2007 and defeated Labor candidate Simon Earle in May’s federal election, though he suffered a 6.6 per cent swing against him.

An overwhelming majority of readers who took part in a news.com.au poll believed Mr Morrison should quit over the scandal, with 84 per cent of the 7400 participants saying he should step down.

Others took to Twitter to express their frustrations with the former prime minister.

“Who knows, if this Morrison scandal had been revealed before the election, maybe Simon Earle would now be the Labor member for Cook,” one person commented.

“Scott Morrison was prime minister of Australia for 3.5 years. In that time he debased our country with incompetence, laziness and a lack of vision … He has diminished us all,” reacted another.

“Morrison’s action’s are very Trumpish. He must resign immediately,” a third said.

But not all were against Mr Morrison’s actions, with some backing his motives to appoint himself to the additional roles.

“I’ve read Morrison’s explanation and it’s very reasonable,” one supporter posted.

“Anyone who takes issue with it clearly just wants to spread hate with regards to him and his legacy. He did nothing wrong. He didn’t even use the powers other than once which he announced.”

Mr Albanese is currently seeking advice on the matter from the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet.

Originally published as Cronulla locals demand Scott Morrison resign from parliament after secret minister scandal