From the desk of Roland Rocchiccioli – 28 August

The hypocrisy of the furore struck me like a thunder bolt. It left me rocking on my heels.

The revelations former Prime Minister, Scott Morrison, secretly assumed control of five ministerial portfolios, reminded me of his recent religious rant. He told a congregation to trust not in governments or the UN, but in the Lord.

Given his propensity to involve his religiosity in every aspect of government, one might wonder: Did he believe he was following the word of the Lord?

Equally, one is left wondering whether Mr Morrison is a nutter – a dangerously loose cannon. His rambling press conference explanation was incomprehensible and nonsensical. Had this story broken before the last election, Josh Frydenberg might not have lost his seat.

I grew-up surrounded, principally, by Italians who loved arguing politics. Having escaped Mussolini and the vicissitudes of a depression and two devastating world wars, they came seeking a better life. They were impatient to become naturalised Australian citizens; to swear their allegiance to the Crown, to partake of the voting process, to exercise their democratic right, and to have control over their lives. A veritable mixed bag of Liberal and Labor voters, they always argued in broken English. Having been denied in their own country, they took the whole process of government and its freedoms extremely seriously.

Consequently, I grew-up believing, unconditionally, in the democratic procedure. At primary, secondary, and tertiary level Australians studied English history, with an emphasis on the genesis of Magna Carta and its place in our system. Truly, I believed we were safe under the care and governance of the omnipresent Crown. The official photographs of The Queen, which hung in every government building, embodied and reinforced the ethos.

Unforgivably, Mr Morrison has momentarily unsettled my confidence in our system. Disturbed my equilibrium. Caused me to doubt the strength and protection of the system. While it could be construed as the actions of a man obsessed with power, more importantly it demonstrates the fragility of the system, and its shortcomings. It led me to wondering about going to bed at night with one system of government, and waking in the morning to another. Is this the methodology for a dictatorship?

The three reserved prerogatives of the Crown are ‘to caution, to advise and to warn’. Always, The Queen, or her representative, in this case the Governor-General, is bound to act on the advice of the Prime Minister; however, the question remains: did His Excellency seek constitutional advice, which is the vice-regal prerogative.

It is implausible that Mr Morrison, having covertly seized ministerial power, was unable, when questioned, to recollect how many portfolios were involved. That is cause for profound disquiet.

The demonisation of politicians is counterproductive. Our system requires we believe they are pure of heart and altruistic in endeavour.  Without mutual, unconditional trust the system would collapse. Section 64 of the Australian constitution notwithstanding, Mr Morrison’s treatment of colleagues is, by definition, Machiavellian, disingenuous, and politically irresponsible. He discarded convention. There is no defence which justifies the silence. It was not a state secret. Australian voters should have been informed. His decision has generated a serious distrust.

It is unlikely I would ever seek-out Mr Morrison’s company; however, when handed electoral victory by Pauline Hanson and Clive Palmer, I accepted him in good faith. Patently, it was not reciprocated.

Administratively, we have been deceived, inexcusably. Having infiltrated our lives and orchestrated this unnecessary political maelstrom, Mr Morrison should resign and leave the parliament, immediately.

That would be the honourable course of action.

Roland can be contacted via [email protected].