Prime Minister Scott Morrison grilled over ‘no-sex affair’ scandal

Scott Morrison suffered an amusing stumble as he was grilled at a press conference on Sunday afternoon, slipping back into an old verbal habit.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison suffered an amusing stumble as he was grilled at a press conference on Sunday afternoon, slipping back into an old verbal habit.

Speaking at Westmead Children’s Hospital in Sydney, Mr Morrison revealed Anne Ruston will become health minister after the election, replacing outgoing incumbent Greg Hunt - provided the Coalition retains power.

There was a mildly awkward moment at the beginning of the press conference as Mr Hunt began to introduce his successor before Mr Morrison had actually made the announcement.

“I’m privileged to be able to introduce my friend,” Mr Hunt began, before the Prime Minister came up behind him and cut him off.

“I have an important announcement I’ve got to make first!” said Mr Morrison.

Ms Ruston’s shift into the health portfolio creates a vacancy in social services. Under an extended grilling from reporters, Mr Morrison refused to reveal who would replace her.

“Who will be replacing Anne Ruston as social services minister?” Mr Morrison was asked.

“Well, the great news about that is I have such a fantastic team that there are many people who could,” said Mr Morrison.

Scott Morrison has indicated the government will not reveal details of a taxpayer-funded payout to Rachelle Miller. Picture: Jason Edwards

“Why aren’t you announcing it then?” the reporter followed up.

“Because I will do that should we have the good fortune to be reelected by the Australian people,” he shot back.

Mr Morrison said voters would know who will fill a list of portfolios in a re-elected government - “defence, treasury, finance, very important portfolios”.

“So is social services, Prime Minister,” a reporter interjected.

“I believe it is. I’ve been the social services minister. I’m not going to get into the process of doing a full cabinet reshuffle in the middle of the election,” he replied.

There was an amusing moment as his answer continued. Apparently slipping into old habits as he recited his talking points, Mr Morrison referred to “Mr Speaker”, as though he were speaking on the floor of the House.

“There we go, I’m back in parliament!” he quipped.

A few minutes earlier, Mr Morrison indicated the government would not reveal details of a taxpayer-funded payout to Alan Tudge’s former staffer and lover Rachelle Miller, despite her decision to release it from any confidentiality requirements.

Rachelle Miller said confidentiality is not required. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Martin Ollman

In a statement on Thursday, Ms Miller’s legal team said she “irrevocably releases the Commonwealth (including the relevant department and the Prime Minister) from any obligations of confidentiality in respect of her claim and any settlement of it, including financial terms”.

That means any responsibility for keeping the details of the payment secret now lies with the government.

News.com.au previously reported the Department of Finance was finalising a payout of more than $500,000, and had agreed to pay Ms Miller’s legal fees, which are also expected to run into six figures.

Mr Morrison has insisted the settlement is a “private matter” of which he has “no knowledge”. He didn’t budge from that position today.

“These matters - whether it’s on this issue or on the many other occasions where this occurs under both sides of politics - they are made, the confidence of those (people) is maintained,” the Prime Minister said.

“My point is this that this is a confidential process, which has been put in place by the Department of Finance.

“I think that’s the way those matters should be handled. And I intend to honor the process that has been established independently by public officials about how sensitive matters of this nature should be handled.”

There was a brief back and forth during Mr Morrison’s initial answer - we may have asked whether he was “scared of a follow-up”.

“We are talking about public money being given by a government department to a former government staffer, perhaps concerning the conduct of government ministers and their offices. Surely you can recognize why there’s a public interest in this?” we asked.

The PM stops Greg hunt mid sentence. Picture: Jason Edwards

Mr Morrison rejected any implication that the payout to Ms Miller, who worked in the offices of Mr Tudge and Michaelia Cash, his ministers’ conduct.

“If there were any matter that was in the assessment by the Department of Finance that involved the conduct of any minister whatsoever, then that matter would have to be raised with me by the Department of Finance through the Secretary of the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet.

“Now I can assure you absolutely, that no such reference has been made. So to imply that would be absolutely false.”

He said the confidential process was designed “not by me” or other politicians, but by “people who handle these sensitive matters”.

Ms Miller has accused Mr Tudge of bullying her during their relationship - claims the Minister has vehemently rejected, and which were not upheld by an investigation commissioned by Mr Morrison, in which Ms Miller declined to participate based on legal advice.

The press conference happened during a visit to Westmead Children’s Hospital in Parramatta, where Mr Morrison was also spruiking a $270 million expansion to the Continuous Glucose Monitoring Initiative, among other health policies.

He and his wife, Jenny, gave Easter gift baskets to Westmead executives, to be shared on the hospital wards. The hampers contained books, plush rabbit toys, Easter eggs, chocolate rabbits and other tasty treats.