Why Scott Morrison will outlast secret ministries scandal

Despite the outrage over his secret ministries scandal, it is highly likely that Scott Morrison’s career will survive the fallout – and this is why.

Despite multiple calls for his resignation in the wake of the revelation about his secret ministry appointments, it is still possible that Scott Morrison will survive the fallout from his latest scandal.

Questions over Mr Morrison’s future have been mounting after shocking revelations he secretly assigned himself as minister to five portfolios, including health, finance, treasury, home affairs and resources between March 2020 and May 2021.

In some cases, the existing ministers had no idea the then-prime minister had given himself power over their portfolios.

The former prime minister has made it clear he has no plans to step down from his role as the Member for Cook and, unless he is forced out, it is looking like he will remain in politics for some time.

With his reputation taking another battering over the fresh scandal, many might think it easier for Mr Morrison to cut his losses and move out of the political spotlight.

Former prime minister Scott Morrison speaks to media during a press conference. Picture: Steven Saphore/AFP

But public relations and brand strategy experts have given insight into why the former PM may be determined to ride out the storm.

There are two words in particular that could be pushing him to remain in politics, and that is the possibility of “admitting defeat”.

InsideOut PR founder Nicole Reaney told news.com.au there could be a certain degree of ego involved in Mr Morrison’s decision not to step down.

“Scott Morrison could be hesitant to exit politics as it could be perceived as him admitting defeat,” she told news.com.au.

“There could be a degree of ego here and his interests in continuing a political career.”

Brand strategy firm Thinkerbell’s founder and consumer psychologist Adam Ferrier added that Mr Morrison’s sense of “duty” could also impact his decision making.

“He has very thick skin. He wants to leave on his terms,” Mr Ferrier told news.com.au

“I also think that Morrison has a very strong sense of duty and would see it as his duty to finish the job he was voted to do.”

Former home affairs minister Karen Andrews has championed calls for Mr Morrison to resign.

“I am going to ask him to resign and leave Parliament,’’ she said, telling news.com.au she had “no idea” Mr Morrison had sworn himself into her portfolio.

“I have nothing to say to him. This is totally unacceptable. For a prime minister to behave in this manner undermines everything that a federal government constitutionally should stand for.”

Mr Morrison has defended his actions and said he won’t be stepping down from politics, but he did leave the door open to not contesting the next election.

If Mr Morrison is forced to step down eventually decides to leave politics, Mr Ferrier theorised his past scandals could see him face some difficulty in the workforce.

He suggested some companies could be wary about taking on the former PM.

“The latest controversy was so odd, it certainly hasn’t helped his reputation – which was pretty on the nose anyway,” Mr Ferrier said.

Despite this, it is unlikely Mr Morrison will have any serious difficulty finding a suitable role outside of politics.

While Ms Reaney agreed that his past actions had somewhat compromised his image in some people’s views — citing “questionable decisions and action” including holidaying in Hawaii during bushfires and now the admission of secretly taking on extra portfolios — she said there would always be companies eager to take on the former PM.

“While there will be some organisations that will be hesitant to recruit Mr Morrison, there will always be organisations that will find a place for him,” she said.

“There are pockets of communities that have an affinity towards him and also value the leadership he demonstrated during the pandemic that left Australia managing cases successfully in comparison to other countries at least initially.”

Ms Reaney also pointed out that former NSW premier Gladys Berejiklian was appointed to Optus’s executive team despite being forced to resign as premier after being embroiled in an Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) investigation.

Gladys Berejiklian is now Optus’s managing director of enterprise and business. Picture: Jane Dempster/The Australian

Before entering politics, Mr Morrison was Tourism Australia’s managing director until 2006.

Since losing this year’s federal election, Mr Morrison has already proven he can land international speaking gigs, even missing the first week of Parliament to attend an international summit in Japan.

Prior to that he spoke at the Asian Leadership Conference in Seoul.

This could very well be an avenue Mr Morrison chooses to explore further should he leave politics.

Mr Ferrier also pointed out that the former PM may also pursue a role in the evangelical church, given his strong Christian faith.

Dutton defends Morrison despite scandal

While some in his party have heavily criticised Mr Morrison, there are many others who have stood by his side.

When asked if he would also call on Mr Morrison to resign, Opposition Leader Peter Dutton replied: “No, I won’t.”

Former prime ministers John Howard and Tony Abbott acknowledged the ministerial arrangements were unusual, but did not back calls for Mr Morrison to resign, with Mr Howard even branding some of the criticism “over the top”.

Former deputy prime minister Barnaby Joyce, and current deputy Liberal leader, Sussan Ley, also rubbished calls for his resignation.

Leader of the Opposition, Peter Dutton, has said he won’t be calling for Mr Morrison’s resignation. Picture: NCA NewsWire/David Swift

Mr Morrison claimed the decision to swear himself in to four of the portfolios was a necessary “last resort” given the ongoing uncertainties posed by the Covid-19 pandemic, while his actions in resources were related to a political gazumping of the minister to deny a controversial offshore gas project.

Mr Dutton has now accused Prime Minister Anthony Albanese being “borderline hysterical” in his reaction to Mr Morrison’s secret ministries.

The Opposition Leader said he could “understand” why his colleagues were upset and why the Australian people are “angry”, but claims Mr Albanese had taken a “political opportunity”.

“He sounded more like an opposition leader than a prime minister in the last couple of days and borderline hysterical,” Mr Dutton told 2GB.

“But he sees political opportunity and he’s taken it – fair enough.”

Mr Dutton chastised Mr Morrison for doing the wrong thing but said the former prime minister had “not gained anything out of this”.

“Obviously, he’s done the wrong thing here, and it’s certainly not something I would do if I was prime minister,” Mr Dutton said.

“(But) I think most people frankly want to move on and start dealing with issues that are more important.”