Scott Morrison blocks investigation into ‘blind trust’ used by Christian Porter

A debate about the ‘blind trust’ used for Christian Porter’s legal fees sparked uproar in Parliament today as a move by the Morrison Government was labelled an “utter disgrace”.

Scott Morrison has blocked an investigation into the ‘blind trust’ used by Christian Porter to pay his legal fees – an option that was compared to a “brown paper bag stitched together by lawyers”.

But the Prime Minister has supported a broader investigation into political crowd-funding and blind trusts for all MPs, which could lead to new rules.

The debate sparked uproar in Parliament on Wednesday afternoon after the Morrison Government refused to support the decision despite the Speaker announcing there was a “prima facie” case to investigate.

“The term blind trust is being used. This is a brown paper bag stitched together by lawyers, we had no idea whose money is involved,” Labor frontbencher Tony Burke said.

“It would be the cover-up to end all cover-ups if this House prevents the privileges committee from even looking at the issue.”

Scott Morrison has blocked an investigation into the ‘blind trust’ used by Christian Porter to pay his legal fees. Picture: Sam Mooy/Getty Images

The former Attorney-General recently updated his declaration to Parliament to reveal he had received thousands of dollars from anonymous donors to pay his legal fees. Picture: Jane Dempster/The Australian.

Parliament promptly voted not to refer the matter to a new parliamentary probe.

The former Attorney-General Christian Porter recently updated his declaration to Parliament to reveal he had received thousands of dollars from anonymous donors to pay his legal fees.

But he declined to say how much he had received or who gave him the money, insisting he didn‘t know who provided the cash.

While there was speculation he had been given $1 million anonymously, sources close to Mr Porter claimed it was closer to $500,000.

Mr Porter has maintained he properly disclosed his interests in accordance with requirements but it ultimately led to his resignation.

“Ultimately, I decided that if I have to make a choice between seeking to pressure the trust to break individuals’ confidentiality in order to remain in cabinet, or alternatively forgo my cabinet position, there is only one choice I could, in all conscience, make,” Mr Porter said.

JUST NOW: 1st time in Australia’s history. Liberals just voted in Parliament to override the Speaker’s agreement to refer Christian Porter to the Privileges Committee.

That’s right. Liberals actually voted to say it’s OK for an MP to get $1 million in secret donations.#auspol

— Julian Hill MP (@JulianHillMP) October 20, 2021

Voting to protect Christian Porter from scrutiny over his secret $1 million donation is a vote to green light corruption, to open the door to bribery of MPs and to cover up foreign donations. A day of utter disgrace for the Morrison Government. pic.twitter.com/I0G139EgQB

— Mark Dreyfus (@markdreyfusQCMP) October 20, 2021

The Morrison Government just voted to stop an inquiry into Christian Porter’s secret donations. pic.twitter.com/gMMZ1vnTmM

— Anthony Albanese (@AlboMP) October 20, 2021

Earlier, the Speaker, Tony Smith, gave precedence for a motion to refer Mr Porter to the privileges committee.

“Based on my careful consideration of all of the information available to me, I am satisfied a prima facie case has been made out, I am willing to give precedence to a motion,” he said.

Labor leader Anthony Albanese said he was appalled that the powerful parliamentary privilege would not be allowed to examine the issue, despite the Speaker‘s ruling.

“If this resolution is not carried, then anyone can receive money from unknown sources into a so-called blind trust, and never declare it,” he said.

However, the Leader of the House Peter Dutton said other MPs had relied on similar arrangements to fund defamation cases.