Politicians are pushing for parliament’s privileges committee to probe Scott Morrison’s secret ministerial appointments. 

The fallout continues from this week’s revelation that former PM Scott Morrison appointed himself to five additional ministerial portfolios during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Greens’ legal affairs spokesperson, Senator David Shoebridge, and independent MP Sophie Scamps want the privileges committee to investigate Morrison, while fellow independents Zali Steggall and Kate Chaney think a referral should be considered.

Such an investigation would require support from the Albanese government, which is waiting on the solicitor general’s advice, due next week.

Mr Albanese has labelled the appointments “a misleading of parliament as to who was holding what portfolios and who was responsible” and warned that Mr Morrison and his ministers would be “held to account”.

Senator Shoebridge says the creation of “secret ministries” was an “attack on parliamentary accountability” that must be investigated.

“How can a parliament hold a minister to account if we don’t even know the minister exists?” he said.

“Parliament through question time and budget estimates was asking question after question of what they thought was the treasurer, who they thought was the finance minister, and meanwhile there’s been a secret minister sitting there, unchallenged, in the form of former prime minister Scott Morrison.”

Ms Scamps says the “unprecedented undermining of cabinet and good governance undermines public trust in our democracy and it should be urgently referred to the privileges committee”.

“Australians deserve better, so understanding what happened when, and who knew what, will be the first step in restoring trust in our democracy,” she said.

One particularly questionable point came when Mr Morrison as PM tabled a statement of who was responsible for each portfolio in parliament on 30 October 2020, claiming to be the “full ministry” – but did not include his own additional ministries.

 “Ministers are sworn to administer the portfolio in which they are listed … and may also be sworn to administer other portfolios in which they are not listed,” the document said.

The lower house practice book says “the allocation of portfolios and any ministerial and departmental change is notified publicly and announced in the house”, but also that “temporary ministerial arrangements may be made by the prime minister without reference to the governor general”.

Ms Cheney said the privileges committee could investigate “on the basis that his actions may have impeded the ability of the house to perform its functions”.

“Whichever avenue is taken, this does not pass the pub test. We need to ensure no precedent is set: this cannot happen again,” the independent MP said.

Ms Steggall said the self-appointments “seem to be part of a Trumpian desire to turn the prime minister into a presidency, where the PM would gain ultimate say on decisions and the ability to override ministers”, and that the matter “needs to be looked at”.