Commentary 13 - Grasping for Power

 Commentary 13 - NEVER COME BETWEEN CONSERVATIVES AND A GRASP FOR POWER

(Written by Warren Maloney on 17th August 2022)

It was revealed this week that the former Australian Prime Minister, Scott Morrison, had secretly had himself sworn in as Minister in at least 5 Major ministerial roles without telling the Ministers serving in those roles, hid Deputy Prime Minister, the Leadership of both parts of the Conservative Coalition, Department Heads, Parliament, the Security Agencies, OR the Public. It was agreed to secretly by the Governor General.


Morrison said he only used the new powers once but this is still under enquiry. It effectively 
  • moved Morrison to potentially more powerful than Parliament
  • lied/failed to tell Parliament the truth
  • lied/failed to tell his Political and Public Service Leadership
  • lied/failed to tell the Australian People

In Australia, and in the UK, the office of Prime Minister does not exist by Legislation or Constitution. It exists by Convention and Practice and by the Will/Whim of the Queen/Governor General. The Practice dates back to the late 18th Century when a "First Minister" was "recognised". In the Australian Constitution, the Governor-General can appoint any Australian Citizen to a role as Minister of State (including Prime Minister) for a maximum period of 3 months. The GG does not do that outside Parliamentarians in the Majority Party by Convention. 

The actions in secrecy this week are therefore very worrying. In the UK, the Queen can appoint anyone for any length of time and can in fact refuse to call Parliament together. Memories of Cromwell and beheadings probably curb that inclination, but there is no legal stoppage (especially as the Queen has the power to appoint anyone she chooses to the Judiciary, the Police,and Public Service Departments).

So, whilst some Conservatives see Morrison's actions as stupid, the reality is that they were not only dangerous but point to both the fragility of the Democratic controls and to the thirst for Power that exists in many Leaders.

As a Jackson Zoom Group, we have discussed the Trump Dangers in detail, and we are doubtful that the Yanks will worship at his particular Shrine again, but make no mistake about the Democratic weaknesses under the Westminster system and the dangers of popularist leaderships like BOJO and Morrison.



 

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