Judge to probe how former Australia PM gained secret powers

By ROD McGUIRK
Associated Press

CANBERRA, Australia (AP) — A retired judge has been appointed to investigate how former Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison was able to secretly amass unprecedented ministerial powers in defiance of political conventions. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced on Friday that former High Court Justice Virginia Bell will report in November on the findings of her inquiry into Morrison’s secret power grab. Morrison secretly appointed himself to five ministerial roles between March 2020 and May 2021, usually without the knowledge of the original minister. Albanese replaced Morrison in May elections. Solicitor-General Stephen Donaghue’s legal opinion is that while the appointments were legal they undermined the principle of responsible government.