PM Scott Morrison leaves door open to ditching Christian Porter over ‘blind trust’ saga

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has put Christian Porter on notice, refusing to rule out dumping him over the “blind trust” saga.

Scott Morrison has left the door open to dumping Christian Porter from cabinet over his decision to use a blind trust to pay for the legal bills he ran up when he launched a private defamation case against the ABC.

The Prime Minister said today he had been prepared in the past to make “difficult decisions” where ministers are found to be in breach of the ministerial guidelines.

Mr Porter claims he cannot say who is paying his legal bills, because he doesn’t know who the mystery donors are who are paying his debts via the blind trust. But he maintains the arrangement is not a breach of the rules.

The legal debts, which are estimated to be between $500,000 to $1 million, relate to his discontinued defamation case against the ABC over its reporting of historical rape allegations that he strenuously denies.

Asked if Mr Porter would remain on the front bench at a press conference in Canberra, the Prime Minister declined to offer any guarantees.

“I have taken decisions in the past, difficult decisions, when I believe they haven’t been adhered to and decisions that have been taken as a consequence of that,’’ Mr Morrison said.

“In the same way, on these issues, I will follow the same process. I will deal with it carefully and, as always, I will ensure that the ministerial guidelines are adhered to.”

Asked if he would remain on the frontbench, Mr Morrison replied: “I have outlined the pathway forward.

“I am ensuring that the ministerial guidelines are adhered to,’’ he said.

Mr Morrison declined to comment on when Mr Porter informed him of the arrangement, whether it was taken to the governance committee of cabinet or whether he believed it was a breach of the ministerial standards.

Speculation is mounting that Mr Porter could depart the frontbench over his decision to use a blind trust to pay his legal fees with cabinet ministers revealing they were “blindsided” by the decision.

PM Scott Morrison wouldn’t rule out dumping Christian Porter. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Adam Yip

Senior figures have told news.com.au that the leadership group was not briefed on Mr Porter’s blind trust plan.

The Prime Minister has now sought advice as to whether it constitutes a breach of ministerial standards.

The Prime Minister’s office declined to comment on Wednesday night if the Prime Minister had ever been briefed on the use of the blind trust before it was disclosed to parliament.

Mr Morrison held talks with Mr Porter about the matter on Wednesday before asking for advice on whether it constitutes a breach of ministerial standards.

“Ministers must not seek or accept any kind of benefit or other valuable consideration either for themselves or for others in connection with performing or not performing any element of their official duties as a Minister,’’ it states.

The code of conduct states clearly that “ministers are required to exercise the functions of their public office unaffected by considerations of personal advantage or disadvantage.

“Ministers must not seek or accept any kind of benefit or other valuable consideration either for themselves or for others in connection with performing or not performing any element of their official duties as a Minister,’’ it states.