An ex-high court judge was appointed by Australia on Friday to look into the ex-prime minister Scott Morrison’s decision to secretly nominate himself to numerous important ministry positions. Anthony Albanese, the current prime minister, made the announcement of the probe and noted that the nation’s “parliamentary democracy” had been put to the test.
Conservative leader Morrison appointed himself to the ministries of health, treasury, finance, resources, and home affairs during the Covid-19 pandemic without informing colleagues or the general public.
The investigation, according to Albanese, is necessary “to make sure that this never happens again. “Virginia Bell, a former judge on the Supreme Court, will oversee the investigation, and a report is due on November 25.
It’s “not about the politics, but how this happened, why this happened, and who knew about it,” Albanese said, adding that “we need to have a quick and appropriate inquiry.” He left open the possibility of forcing Morrison or other former cabinet members to testify if required.
Morrison has maintained that he was correct to use “emergency powers” during the pandemic’s commotion.
In his combative first public statement following the incident, he dismissed opponents as “standing on the shore after the event,” saying, “I was guiding the ship in the heart of the tempest.”
The actions of the previous premier have also drawn criticism from three of Morrison’s fellow conservative prime ministers.
