Archer – whocrossed the floor last year in support of independent MP Helen Haines’ anti-corruption legislation – earlier delivered a withering rebuke to Morrison,questioning his actions and highlighting divisions within the Coalition over the issue.
“It’s bigger than Scott Morrison in a way,what we are talking about,I think the words of theBell report were corrosive to democracy. The Australian people care about that,they demonstrated that in their response to their views on integrity,” the Tasmanian MP told this masthead. “It’s a value we should uphold.”
Archer’s position stands in contrast to Opposition Leader Peter Dutton and other members of his front bench,who have accused the government of taking an “opportunistic swipe” at Morrison.
On Tuesday morning,a Coalition spokesperson said the opposition would consider any legislation to improve the transparency of ministerial appointments “but it is our position to very much not support the censure motion”.
Dutton told a joint party room meeting Albanese had chosen to use the remaining time in the parliamentary sitting year for political stunts.
“So much for a kinder and gentler parliament,this is Anthony Albanese at his political brawler best,and we will not be a part of it,” Dutton told the party room.
“The government are clearly taking an opportunistic swipe at the former prime minister through what’s essentially a stunt in the lower house.”
The spokesperson said Morrison stood up and thanked the party room for its support over the past week and since the election.
In hisresponse to the Bell report last week,Morrison referred to the fact the ministry appointments had been made “during a time of significant challenge” and noted the inquiry had found no unlawful conduct.
Albanese told a Labor caucus meeting on Tuesday the inquiry into Morrison was serious and devastating for the previous government.
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“We can never go back to the chaos and dysfunction of the previous government,” he said.
Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus told ABC Radio National Breakfast that Morrison’s actions in secretly obtaining multiple ministries were “unprecedented and wrong behaviour”.
“The parliament itself must mark its disapproval of this conduct so that it never happens again,” he said.
Former cabinet minister Bruce Billson was thelast MP to be censured,in March 2018.
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