The file photo dated February 23, 2022, shows Prime Minister Scott Morrison speaking to the media at a press conference in Sydney. STEVEN SAPHORE AFP SYDNEY Australia's parliament on Wednesday voted to censure former Liberal prime minister Scott Morrison after an inquiry revealed his secret appointment to multiple ministries during the COVID 19 epidemic.
Morrison, who lost power in a May general election, secretly accumulated five ministerial positions during the pandemic: health, finance, treasury, resources and home affairs.
The historic motion, brought by the ruling Labor party, passed by 86 votes to 50 in the country's lower house.
It marks the first time a former prime minister has been censured by parliament, though the motion is symbolic in nature.
Labor Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said during the debate that our democracy is precious, and he argued in favor of censuring Morrison.
Morrison said his decisions were lawful and necessary in the event that ministers became incapacitated during the epidemic.
For those who wish to add their judgement today on my actions in support of this censure motion, I simply suggest that they stop and consider the following: Have you ever had to deal with a crisis where the outlook was completely unknown? Morrison spoke to the parliament before the vote on Wednesday.
Morrison says he took secret roles because responsibility was his own.
How were you able to make all the decisions perfectly right in such circumstances? Morrison said he had only used the powers on one occasion to block BPH Energy's PEP 11 gas exploration project.
He accepted the recommendations of an inquiry into the appointment, including legislation requiring public notice of ministerial appointments.