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Top spies in the dark over Scott Morrison’s power grab

Courtney GouldNCA NewsWire
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Camera IconNot Supplied Credit: News Corp Australia

Australia’s most senior intelligence operatives were left in the dark over Scott Morrison’s power grab.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed on Tuesday the home affairs department was among the additional five portfolios his predecessor secretly took control of over the past two years.

The powerful department oversees responsibility for immigration, cybersecurity policy, the Australian Federal Police and spy agency ASIO.

Mr Morrison appointed himself to the portfolio in May 2021, less than two months after Karen Andrews took over the ministry.

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SCOTT MORRISON
Camera IconMr Morrison returned home in the cover of darkness amid the saga. NCA NewsWire / Monique Harmer Credit: News Corp Australia

The former minister was blindsided by the news that she secretly shared the role with Mr Morrison and on Tuesday called for him to resign from parliament.

He is yet to explain why he appointed himself to the role and why he kept it secret.

Department secretary Michael Pezzulo and ASIO director-general Mike Burgess were also not informed of the change to the line of command.

Speaking with the ABC, now-Home Affairs Minister Clare O'Neil confirmed the intelligence operatives were oblivious to the news until it emerged on Tuesday.

She said it was reason enough for the former prime minister to immediately resign from parliament.

“If you don’t understand how vulnerable that made us throughout that period, how dangerous that was for the country, then you should not be in parliament,” Ms O’Neil said.

LIBERAL PARTY ROOM
Camera IconIt was revealed Mr Morrison took control of five portfolios over two years. NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage Credit: News Corp Australia

“The reason we have accountable government is because we need Australian’s to be able to point to the person who exercises power on their behalf and hold them responsible for decisions they make.”

Ms O’Neil cast doubts on the former prime minister’s account of events after he seemingly forgot home affairs was one of the many departments he had taken control of when asked on Tuesday morning.

“I don’t take Scott Morrison at his word, just like Emmanuel Macron and Barnaby Joyce and many other people who have worked closely with Scott Morrison.

“He is known for not being upfront and honest about things that happened.

“He talked initially about this as being in the context of a once in a lifetime pandemic, but he took on the powers in my portfolio of home affairs in May 2021. If there has been a period of relative calm in the last three years, it was May 2021.”

Prime Minister Scott Morrison Election 2022
Camera IconMr Howard has rejected calls for Mr Morrison to resign. Jason Edwards Credit: News Corp Australia

Former prime minister John Howard on Wednesday labelled the move “unwise” but cautioned the current government against “being a bit over the top” in its response.

“I understand why it’s been criticised, but it’s not some kind of constitutional crisis,” Mr Howard said ruled out calling for Mr Morrison to resign.

“These calls for this sort of semi-royal commissions and so forth into what happened are a bit over the top and I think it will be seen by the Australian public as being a bit over the top.

“I think what happened was unwise, Was it illegal? No. I can’t see anything illegal. It’s certainly, to my knowledge, not happened before.

“I wouldn’t have done it and I think Scott probably now recognises he shouldn’t have done it.”

Scott Morrison’s cabinet of secrets

Originally published as Top spies in the dark over Scott Morrison’s power grab

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