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Peter Dutton blasts Anthony Albanese as ‘hysterical’ overreaction to Scott Morrison portfolio drama

Ellen RansleyNCA NewsWire
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Peter Dutton has accused Prime Minister Anthony Albanese of being “borderline hysterical” in his reaction to Scott Morrison’s secret ministries.

The Opposition Leader said he could “understand” why his colleagues were upset and why the Australian people are “angry” after it was revealed Mr Morrison appointed himself to responsibilities within the health, finance, treasury, home affairs and resources portfolios between March 2020 and May 2021.

Mr Morrison has defended his move in relation to the first four portfolios as being a necessary “last resort” given the ongoing uncertainties posed by the Covid-19 pandemic, while his actions in resources were related to a political gazumping of the minister to deny a controversial offshore gas project.

Mr Morrison says he never actioned his power in the former four ministries, despite not telling many of his ministers about his moves, but Mr Albanese has strongly chastised his predecessor and asked for the Solicitor-General to provide legal advice.

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Mr Dutton said Mr Albanese had taken a “political opportunity”.

PETER DUTTON
Camera IconPeter Dutton has accused Anthony Albanese of overreacting in his response to the Scott Morrison secret ministries revelations. NCA NewsWire / David Swift Credit: News Corp Australia

“He sounded more like an opposition leader than a prime minister in the last couple of days and borderline hysterical,” Mr Dutton told 2GB.

“But he sees political opportunity and he’s taken it – fair enough.”

Mr Dutton chastised Mr Morrison for doing the wrong thing but said the former prime minister had “not gained anything out of this”.

PM PRESSER 16 AUGUST2022
Camera IconAnthony Albanese has been accused of being borderline hysterical over Scott Morrison’s secret ministries. Credit: News Corp Australia

“Obviously, he’s done the wrong thing here, and it’s certainly not something I would do if I was prime minister,” Mr Dutton said.

“(But) I think most people frankly want to move on and start dealing with issues that are more important.”

Mr Dutton’s defence came as a former home affairs minister doubled down in calling for Mr Morrison to resign.

SCOTT MORRISON
Camera IconFormer prime minister Scott Morrison has defended his actions. Gaye Gerard / NCA NewsWire Credit: News Corp Australia

Karen Andrews also revealed Mr Morrison had not contacted her despite having personally contacted former finance minister Mathias Cormann and former treasurer Josh Frydenberg to apologise.

The other ministers of impacted portfolios – former health minister Greg Hunt and former resources minister Keith Pitt – were aware of the move at the time.

Ms Andrews was not and has not been contacted.

“He hasn’t spoken to me. The last conversation I had with (him) was during the last sitting week in Canberra,” she told Sky News.

“He has his way of managing things. I am fine.”

Mr Morrison’s defence of his actions was that he took the decisions that he “thought (he) needed to take”.

Originally published as Peter Dutton blasts Anthony Albanese as ‘hysterical’ over reaction to Scott Morrison

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