Calls for governor general to explain exclusion of Morrison ministries from official diary

Morrison, while still prime minister, took on the health, finance, treasury, home affairs, and industry, science, energy and resources portfolios between March 2020 and May 2021.

Despite it making references to the swearing in of other ministers, and other meetings with Morrison, the four separate dates in which Hurley gave Morrison the additional powers contain no reference to that fact.

It also reported the appointments were not included in the annual report of the office of the official secretary to the governor general, despite multiple references to swearing in other ministers.

Morrison was administratively appointed to the extra portfolios, without an in-person swearing-in ceremony.

The day after he notes presenting the Duke of Gloucester Sash at the 2020 National Sheep Dog Trial Championships in Canberra.

Entries on 30 March, when Morrison was given power as finance minister, refer to phone calls Hurley claims he received on 31 March from the Independent National Security Legislation Monitor, Dr James Renwick SC, and from other individuals to talk about the impact of Covid-19 and a regiment of the Army Reserve.

Morrison would later use the powers he received on this occasion to axe approval for a gas project off the coast of New South Wales, with the decision now before the courts due to the controversy. The former PM says this is the only time he used a power given to him under the secret arrangements.

It remains unclear whether Hurley mentioned the secret arrangements to the Queen, but he spoke to her between this date and the final occasion when he approved secret ministries for Morrison.

Morrison rejected calls for his resignation at a defiant press conference on Wednesday, defending his decision as necessary during the pandemic.

Australian Associated Press contributed to this report.