Australia: Government to Censure Former Prime Minister

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The Facts

  • Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed on Monday that his cabinet agreed to introduce a censure motion on former PM Scott Morrison this week. This follows findings that his actions to secretly swear himself into five portfolios undermined the principles of responsible government.

  • It comes as the Albanese admin. endorsed all six recommendations of the inquiry carried out by former High Court judge Justice Virginia Bell into Morrison's secret appointments to administer five departments between March 2020 and May 2021.


The Spin

Establishment-critical narrative

There has been no investigation or report indicating that what former Prime Minister Morrison did was illegal or unconstitutional. This motion to censure is PM Albanese's political hit against an opposing politician. The Australian people would much rather see parliament's time and resources used for pressing issues impacting the people and not for political payback.

Pro-establishment narrative

Former Prime Minister Morrison's actions were egregious and wrong for the people of Australia, arrogantly sidestepping the procedures of Parliament and treating the public's trust and opinion as an inconvenience. His secretive, Nixon-like power grab was unprecedented and selfish. The Albanese administration is taking action now to guarantee transparency and accountability, and to renew and secure the public's trust in its leaders.


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