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Australia to prevent repeat of former leader's power grab

14 Comments
By ROD McGUIRK

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Morrison, who is now an opposition lawmaker, maintains that he gave himself the portfolios of health, finance, treasury, resources and home affairs as an emergency measure made necessary by the coronavirus pandemic.

Even if something like this was necessary (a very big if) what is the justification of doing it in secret?

5 ( +5 / -0 )

The master of Australia, would like to maintain Australia toeing the line of US foreign policy. Total control is needed.

-8 ( +1 / -9 )

So even in Australia democracy is a thing of the past, wow!

-7 ( +2 / -9 )

It’s the secrecy that’s the problem, if it has a good justification it shouldn’t be secret. Clarify the reason make a sound argument garner the support. But Scott Morrison is a member of a religious evangelical church and his decisions come from god during a talk in tongues episode. So him mental stability can be called into question.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Well, I guess if you think the investigation of the arrogating of power to yourself is not democracy then maybe democracy is over, but I think most democratically-minded would believe that investigation is right.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

So even in Australia democracy is a thing of the past, wow!

Actually what see at play is true democracy in action.

A public choosing to ouster an individual from the top position - and his party - because he got way beyond himself.

Morrison thought the rules didn't apply to him failing to realize that in a democracy they do.

Some leaders understand this. Some don't.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Morrison, who is now an opposition lawmaker, maintains that he gave himself the portfolios of health, finance, treasury, resources and home affairs as an emergency measure made necessary by the coronavirus pandemic.

He should be in jail.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Surely the Australian Governor General - the representative of Elizabeth 2, Queen of Australia - should have tabled this publicly at the time when swearing in PM Morrison for these multiple extra portfolios? Why so secretive?

1 ( +1 / -0 )

ScoMo is a snake, a pretend conservative who sold out his country to foreign interests so this kind of act is natural for him. As others have said, why the secrecy? He broke the trust of his Liberal colleagues and basically held Australia in contempt.

Which makes me wonder what else he did that we haven't found out about yet.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

So even in Australia democracy is a thing of the past

as opposed to America’s democracy ?

at least Australians accept the election result, without any violence

1 ( +2 / -1 )

"Australia to prevent repeat of former leader's power grab"

Is it legal under the Australian Constitution to have, at any time, TWO sitting ministers in the same seat?

"bass4funkNov. 25 02:51 pm JST

So even in Australia democracy is a thing of the past, wow!"

I doubt the past saw much better in Rule of Democracy than we see in our 'democracies' today. What defines a 'vote'? A person, a 'voter', selects one of usually two 'candidates'. That is the 'choice' touted in political education materials liberally distributed by both of the two 'choices', Tweedledee and Tweedledom. But who selects the 'candidates'? MONEY, and 'private' guarantees' in return for money, quid pro quo. 'Guarantees' for MONEY, and 'promises' for voters. Spending an afternoon or two in a library reading the news of the past and seeing that only some of the names need be changed, but the behavior identical. Pick an era...

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Actually what see at play is true democracy in action.

By blocking him?

A public choosing to ouster an individual from the top position - and his party - because he got way beyond himself.

apparently, not if one party tries to step in and not allow the people to decide for themselves.

Morrison thought the rules didn't apply to him failing to realize that in a democracy they do.

Some leaders understand this. Some don't.

Hmmm….seems like it goes both ways.

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

@bassfunk -

Thanks for your replies.

I'm not really following your comments.

Who's blocking who?

And the recent National elections saw the Morrison govt easily defeated - ie the people decided.

One of the most outspoken critics of Morrisons grab of power has been the previous Defense Minister - and now Leader of the Liberals - Peter Dutton. He is one of the most far right senior conservatives and was an ally of Morrison, but he hasn't hesitated to denounce Morrison's acts and purge the shadow cabinet of Morrison sympathizers.

Again - the acts by Morrison in secretly appointing himself to 5 ministerships, the critical portfolios of health, finance, treasury, resources and home affairs without even telling the current at that time Ministers who were his close friends.

This is above and beyond - it goes both ways - way out there.

To get a true understanding / feel for the act, imagine if the same scenario played out in Britain or The US - the fury would be volcanic.

Unprecedented betrayal of one's own faithful.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

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