Expert Comment: Why Scott Morrison will outlast secret ministries scandal
Despite multiple calls for his resignation in the wake of the revelation about his secret ministry appointments, it is still possible that Scott Morrison will survive the fallout from his latest scandal.
Questions over Mr Morrison’s future have been mounting after shocking revelations he secretly assigned himself as minister to five portfolios, including health, finance, treasury, home affairs and resources between March 2020 and May 2021.
In some cases, the existing ministers had no idea the then-prime minister had given himself power over their portfolios.
The former prime minister has made it clear he has no plans to step down from his role as the Member for Cook and, unless he is forced out, it is looking like he will remain in politics for some time.
With his reputation taking another battering over the fresh scandal, many might think it easier for Mr Morrison to cut his losses and move out of the political spotlight.
InsideOut PR founder Nicole Reaney added that there could be a certain degree of ego involved in Mr Morrison’s decision not to step down.
“Scott Morrison could be hesitant to exit politics as it could be perceived as him admitting defeat,” she told news.com.au.
“There could be a degree of ego here and his interests in continuing a political career.”
While Ms Reaney agreed that his past actions had somewhat compromised his image in some people’s views — citing “questionable decisions and action” including holidaying in Hawaii during bushfires and now the admission of secretly taking on extra portfolios — she said there would always be companies eager to take on the former PM.
“While there will be some organisations that will be hesitant to recruit Mr Morrison, there will always be organisations that will find a place for him,” she said.
“There are pockets of communities that have an affinity towards him and also value the leadership he demonstrated during the pandemic that left Australia managing cases successfully in comparison to other countries at least initially.”
Ms Reaney also pointed out that former NSW premier Gladys Berejiklian was appointed to Optus’s executive team despite being forced to resign as premier after being embroiled in an Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) investigation.
For the full story head to news.com.au.
Nicole Reaney, Director of InsideOut PR and founder of influencer agency, #AsSeenOn. Nicole has extensive experience in corporate and consumer PR and Communications and is available to comment on topics.
