Scott Morrison accepting cash payments for speaking gigs

Scott Morrison has entered the “show me the money” phase of his post-prime ministerial life, with cash payments and free business class flights for speaking gigs.

Scott Morrison has entered the “show me the money” phase of his post-prime ministerial life, confirming he’s accepting cash payments and free business class flights for speaking gigs at a Pentecostal church and overseas conferences.

The former prime minister, who faces a legal probe into his decision to secretly appoint himself to multiple cabinet portfolios, has updated his financial interest register to parliament.

It reveals he was paid an undisclosed cash amount and given free business class flights to Tokyo and luxury accommodation when he skipped the first week of parliament in July.

Mr Morrison has been criticised for skipping parliament to attend the event and urged to declare any payments in accordance with the rules.

“I don’t know the full details of why he’s not here,” Manager of Government business Tony Burke said last month.

“If someone’s being paid to do another job, I’m not sure how they get away with the taxpayers paying them to do this one.“

The new filing confirming Mr Morrison’s previously dormant family trust is now being used as a vehicle for “advisory services” but does not declare any income to date beyond speakers’ fees.

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Scott Morrison has entered a lucrative stage of post-prime ministerial life. Picture: Steven Saphore / AFP

He’s also set up a new company called Triginta Pty Ltd, which is Latin for 30 and believed to be a reference to being Australia’s 30th prime minister.

Mr Morrison reveals he received an undisclosed payment for a sermon he delivered at Perth’s Victory Life Centre, the Pentecostal church run by former tennis champion Margaret Court.

While there’s no minimum to declare as “substantial income” the guidelines state it is usually over $1000 and comes amid speculation he may have been paid up to $50,000 to speak at international conferences in Asia.

His financial disclosure also confirms he was flown to Perth business class by the church on July 16.

Mr Morrison was invited to Perth to speak at the Victory Life Centre’s 27th anniversary.

At the event he revealed God had a plan for him, described anxiety as “Satan’s plan” and called for people to put their faith in Christ over governments.

“We trust in Him. We don’t trust in governments. We don’t trust the United Nations, thank goodness,” Morrison said in the Sunday sermon.

“We don’t trust in all of these things, fine as they might be and as important as the role that they play. Believe me, I’ve worked in it, and they are important.”

He also told the churchgoers that his election loss was part of God’s plan.

Scott Morrison delivers a sermon at Margaret Court's church.

“Do you believe that if you lose an election that God still loves you and has a plan for you?” he asked.

“I do. I still believe in miracles. God has secured your future, all of it. Yeah, even that bit.”

On July 12, he was flown to Seoul in business class for free at the invitation of the Chosun Ilbo, the largest daily newspaper in South Korea.

He was also given free business class flights to Japan by the Worldwide Support for Development – a group linked to a Japanese billionaire Dr Handa Haruhisa – on July 24.

The billionaire who hosted the international conference was awarded an Order of Australia by the Morrison Government in one of its last acts.

Dr Handa Haruhisa celebrated his AO honour at a private investiture ceremony in Japan during Mr Morrison‘s visit with his wife Jenny.

It took place on Thursday, July 28 in Tokyo, on the first day of the conference that was also attended by former British Prime Minister David Cameron.

But Mr Morrison, who skipped the first week of parliament to attend the World Opinion Leaders Summit in Tokyo, has declined to reveal whether he attended the investiture ceremony or whether he was paid to speak at the international conference.

He has said the trip was “privately funded” and did not involve taxpayers’ money.

Mr Morrison took a savage pay cut when he lost the 2022 election with his income plunging from $500,000 to $211,250.

His register of interests also confirms he has not one but two mortgages over the family home despite bringing home $500,000 a year as prime minister and $400,000 as Treasurer.

The register also reveals that Mr Morrison accepted free tickets from the Hoyts cinema in Cronulla to treat his now unemployed staff to a screening of Top Gun.