Scott Morrison appointed by GG to take control of Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources 11-months before he scuttled offshore gas project
Scott Morrison was appointed by David Hurley to take control of the Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources 11-months before he scuttled an offshore gas project.
Scott Morrison was appointed by Governor-General David Hurley to take control of the entire Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources 11-months before he scuttled an offshore gas project weeks out from the federal election.
Federal Court documents obtained by The Australian reveals that the former prime minister was appointed to administer the super department on April 15, handing him powers over the Commonwealth-NSW Offshore Petroleum Joint Authority.
In the court documents dated May 31, the Australian Government Solicitor said “on 15 April 2021, the then prime minister, the Hon. Scott Morrison MP, was directed and appointed by the Governor-General pursuant to sections 64 and 65 of the Constitution to administer the Department of Industry, Science Energy and Resources”.
“(He) was therefore, for the purposes of the Joint Authority’s decision of 26 March 2022, the ‘responsible Commonwealth Minister’ for the Joint Authority,” the document said.
In a joint press statement released by Mr Morrison in December, along with Lucy Wicks, Jason Falinski, Trent Zimmerman and Dave Sharma who all lost their seats to teal independents and Labor on May 21, the former government said the Petroleum Exploration Permit PEP-11 would not go ahead.
The licence, which had been attacked by environmentalists and community groups, was a hot election issue in the Hunter and Central Coast where the Liberals were hoping to win and hold seats.
A month before the Governor-General approved Mr Morrison to administer the Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources, the former prime minister held a press conference in Tomago declaring he would block the extension of offshore gas exploration licenses between Port Stephens and Sydney.
The comments were made despite then resources minister Keith Pitt privately supporting the project and intending to approve it against the wishes of Mr Morrison.
Asked about PEP-11 on March 4 in the seat of Paterson, where the Liberals candidate Brooke Vitnell won a 4.16 per cent swing to the party, Mr Morrison said he would not support the license because “that’s the right decision”.
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