Timeline of Morrison’s secret ministries after revelation he had five portfolio responsibilities

Over the space of a year, former PM Scott Morrison appointed himself to five ministerial portfolios. Here is the when and why of each appointment.

Former prime minister Scott Morrison appointed himself to five additional portfolios over the last two years of his tenure.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed that between March 2020 and May 2021 Mr Morrison was appointed to the departments of health; finance; industry, science and resources; treasury; and home affairs.

The revelation came just hours after Mr Morrison said he “didn’t recall” whether he had been sworn into appointments other than the health, finance, and industry roles.

Mr Albanese said he had no answers as to whether Mr Morrison’s appointments had end-dates.

Here, we look at the timing of Mr Morrison’s appointments.

Scott Morrison appointed himself to five different portfolios during his tenure as prime minister. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

MARCH 2020

March 14: Mr Morrison appointed himself to the department of health. At the time, Australia had recorded just 100 cases of Covid-19. Five days later, Australia would close its borders to international travellers. Returning Australians would soon thereafter be ordered into hotel quarantine.

Mr Morrison had the support of then-health minister Greg Hunt to appoint himself to the portfolio. Then-attorney general Christian Porter reportedly facilitated the move.

It’s believed it had been discussed at the National Security Cabinet and was positioned as a safeguard mechanism should Mr Hunt become infected with Covid-19.

Scott Morrison had the support of then-health minister Greg Hunt to take responsibility for his portfolio in the event he was struck down with Covid-19. Picture: AAP / Mick Tsikas

March 30: Mr Morrison appointed himself to the department of finance. On that same day, he announced the JobKeeper scheme, which provided a $1500 fortnightly payment to about six million Australians stood aside during the early days of the pandemic.

Mr Morrison on Tuesday morning said the situation was “unprecedented” and “extraordinary” and required a back up plan.

The decision to appoint himself to the finance portfolio, however, was not relayed to then-finance minister Mathias Cormann.

Mr Morrison on Tuesday said that had been an “oversight” of his office.

Mr Morrison appointed himself to the finance department on the day the government announced the JobKeeper subsidy. Picture: AAP / Mick Tsikas

APRIL 2021

April 15: Mr Morrison appointed himself to the portfolio of Industry, Science and Resources.

Keith Pitt, who was resources minister at the time, said he “had a conversation” at the time with Mr Morrison.

Mr Morrison would go on to use his powers in the portfolio to gazump Mr Pitt in making a call on the controversial gas project PEP-11.

Reports have emerged there was frustration from some within the coalition at Mr Pitt’s failure to reject a permit renewal after it expired in February 2021, prompting Mr Morrison to step in.

The project threatened the Liberal party’s favour in a number of blue-ribbon seats.

MAY 2021

May 6: Mr Morrison appointed himself to the portfolios of Treasury and Home Affairs.

Five days later, the Morrison government would hand down its 2021-22 budget.

At the time, then-treasurer Josh Frydenberg announced an extension to the low-and middle- income tax offset; and a scheme to allow single parents to secure a home deposit with just two per cent.

Mr Frydenberg was not aware of Mr Morrison’s move.

On the home affairs front, there are questions about why Mr Morrison assumed power in this portfolio.

Ms Andrews was not aware of Mr Morrison’s move, and has on Tuesday called for him to resign.

Mr Albanese said he is still waiting for more information from the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet surrounding whether senior public servants knew. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

Mr Morrison said in a post on Tuesday he had added Treasury and Home Affairs as a “belts and braces” administrative precaution, because of the ongoing uncertainty caused by the pandemic.

There are some suggestions it may have something to do with the so-called Biloela family, noting that on May 4, 2021, Ms Andrews said she was considering releasing the Murugappan family into community detention on Christmas Island.

The family had been held in a detention facility for more than three years at that time.

A month later, daughter Tharunicca was taken from Christmas Island to Perth’s Children’s Hospital with sepsis and pneumonia.

After her stint in hospital, the family was released into community detention in Perth, with then-immigration minister Alex Hawke emphasising it was not a pathway to permanent resettlement.

Mr Albanese overturned the decision following his win at the election, with the family now back at home in Biloela.

AUGUST 2022

Mr Albanese said at present he has no indication about when Mr Morrison’s secret portfolio appointments ended.

This suggests Mr Morrison could have continued in the portfolio positions right until he lost the prime ministership in May this year.

Originally published as Timeline of Morrison’s secret ministries after revelation he had five portfolio responsibilities