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Reforms to stop Scott Morrison secret ministries pass

By Tess Ikonomou
Updated November 17 2023 - 11:10pm, first published 6:21pm
Scott Morrison made himself minister of all sorts but new laws will prevent a repeat power grab. (Lukas Coch/AAP PHOTOS)
Scott Morrison made himself minister of all sorts but new laws will prevent a repeat power grab. (Lukas Coch/AAP PHOTOS)

Almost a year after a damning report into Scott Morrison's power grab was handed down, reforms have been cleared to prevent another leader from undermining Australia's democracy.

Revelations emerged last year that the former prime minister had appointed himself minister of health, finance, industry, science, energy and resources, treasury and home affairs between March 2020 and May 2021.

Mr Morrison became the first ex-Australian leader to be censured in the House of Representatives for eroding public trust in the nation's political processes.

A report by former High Court judge Virginia Bell recommended new legislation to ensure any ministerial appointments were made public.

The law was waved through the Senate on Friday afternoon.

The report found the secrecy surrounding the appointments was corrosive, and undermined public confidence in government.

Censure motions do not have any legal consequences but they are rare, and give parliamentarians the chance to formally disapprove of their colleagues.

Australian Associated Press