Australia's Solicitor-General criticises former Prime Minister Scott Morrison's secret power grab

Australia's Solicitor-General has criticised Scott Morrison's secret power grab - but says it wasn't illegal. 

Anthony Albanese made Stephen Donaghue QC's findings public on Tuesday afternoon. It stated the appointments were valid, but "fundamentally undermined" the principles of a responsible government. 

Only a handful of people knew Morrison appointed himself the Minister of five different portfolios - Health, Home Affairs, Finance, Treasury and the Department of Industry Science, Energy and Resources. 

Not even the existing Ministers were aware. 

Despite calls from within his own party to resign, Morrison has refused to step down. 

The former Prime Minister remains an elected MP of the south Sydney seat of Cook. He claims the secret appointments were a safety net during the pandemic in case serious sickness prevented a Minister from performing their duties. 

He said he kept it hidden because he didn't want to burden anyone. 

"I think Mr Morrison's behaviour was extraordinarily undermined our parliamentary democracy and he does need to be held account for it," Albanese said.

To remove the secrecy of further appointments, Albanese said all future appointments must be published in the Canberra Gazette, a weekly publication of the Government's decisions. 

Albanese said he also plans to launch a broader inquiry into the matter.