The government has censured former prime minister Scott Morrison in the House of Representatives for failing to disclose to the parliament and public his self-appointments to a number of ministries.
Look back on Wednesday's updates.
Key events
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Live updates
Stay up to date with the latest news and analysis
By Bridget Judd
This is where we'll have to leave the live blog for today, but thanks for following along.
You can catch up on Wednesday's developments below, or download the ABC News app and subscribe to our range of news alerts for the latest news.
You can also stay across the latest updates in our main wrap.
What does being censured mean?
By Bridget Judd
A few of you have been asking what happens now that Scott Morrison has been censured.
A censure is the most-serious statement of disapproval a parliament can make, but it is symbolic and triggers no consequence for Mr Morrison as a backbencher.
In the past, the only sitting prime minister to have been censured was the then newly-appointed PM Malcolm Fraser, in 1975, following his role in the dismissal of his predecessor, Gough Whitlam.
Scott Morrison says he has 'no intention' of submitting to 'political intimidation'
By Bridget Judd
There's been a lot of reaction in Canberra to today's censure, so it's worth revisiting what the former prime minister's had to say about it all.
Speaking earlier this morning, Mr Morrison said Australia "emerged stronger" out of the COVID-19 pandemic, labelling the censure motion against him as political "retribution".
"I have no intention now Mr Speaker, of submitting to the political intimidation of this government, using its numbers in this place, to impose its retribution, on a political opponent," Scott Morrison said.
Has a politician been censured before?
By Bridget Judd
Jess tackled this one a little earlier, but we've been getting this question a bit this afternoon, so it's worth revisiting.
The short answer is: Yep, but it's uncommon.
The last time a minister was successfully censured was in 2020 when the Senate censured then-aged care minister Richard Colbeck for failing to recall basic facts about the state of COVID-19 outbreaks in aged care homes.
The year before that, then-senator Fraser Anning was formally censured by the Senate for expressing extreme anti-immigration views following the Christchurch massacre.
In 2018 former Liberal minister Bruce Billson was censured for undeclared payments.
Secret ministries a reminder 'our democracy requires vigilance'
By Bridget Judd
That's according to independent think tank, The Australia Institute, which says the Bell inquiry offered six "well-considered recommendations for codifying the process of announcing ministerial appointments and acting ministers".
"Requiring the government to say how responsibilities are divided between ministers will make ministerial responsibility easier to ascertain," Bill Browne, director of the Australia Institute's democracy and accountability program, said in a statement.
“The Australian Government has been trusted with vast and to some extent unwritten powers, which makes it particularly important that our leaders are honest and respect convention."
It's been a day of contrast in Canberra
By Bridget Judd
As the ABC's political editor Andrew Probyn points out, as an official portrait of former PM Tony Abbott was unveiled this morning, the censure motion against Mr Morrison was being carried out just a few steps away.
"It's not a great day for Scott Morrison, in so far as this is a parliamentary dishonour, but I thought that he was defiant, and indignant at what was before him," Probyn says.
"But you can't get away from the fact the criticism of him both by the solicitor-general and the Virginia Bell report is absolutely harsh and scathing."
Censure motion 'political retribution', Liberal MP says
By Bridget Judd
Speaking on ABC News a short time ago, Liberal MP Jenny Ware says the Bell inquiry made a number of "very sensible recommendations" to improve transparency that she hopes will be brought forward into legislation next year.
"If we move on from that, I think the censure motion today could have just been seen as political payback," she says.
"There was no point to bringing it except, really, indulging in a little bit of political retribution."
Labor senator says censure sends message that secrecy 'is not the way to go'
By Bridget Judd
Don Farrell is among those backing the censure.
Speaking to the ABC's Jane Norman, he says secrecy is "not the way to go".
"The message is this sort of behaviour, this sort of secrecy, this sort of inability to confide in the Australian people, is not the way to go," he says.
"We want to be open, we want to be transparent and we want to bring the Australian people with us."
Tanya Plibersek believes Scott Morrison will 'pull the pin over Christmas'
By Bridget Judd
Labor's Tanya Plibersek says the advice from the Bell Inquiry is clear: "The secret swearing in was irresponsible and fundamentally undermined our democracy."
"Scott Morrison says sorry not sorry. My prediction — he pulls the pin over Christmas. This is his last week," she tweeted.
Key quotes from the hours-long censure debate
By Jessica Riga
We heard from *a lot* of people over quite a few hours. You can scroll back through our live blog for a more in-depth recap on who said what, but here's a condensed version.
Scott Morrison:
"I acknowledge that the non-disclosure of arrangements has caused unintentional offence, and extend an apology to those offended, but do not apologise for taking action establish prudent redundancies in a national crisis in order to save lives and livelihoods."
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese:
"The fact is that our democracy is precious. There's no room for complacency. We've seen overseas, including with the assault on the Capitol Building in the United States, that we can't take our democracy for granted."
Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus:
"How on earth can there be any accountability in a government where even the treasurer doesn't know whether the prime minister has taken his job?"
Former deputy prime minister Michael McCormack:
"I want Scott Morrison's legacy to be the fact that he led this nation as best he could. He led this nation honestly. He led this nation extremely well."
Greens leader Adam Bandt:
"People want the politicians to start telling the truth. And this was not only a failure to tell the truth, it was one that came with a power grab added to it."
Independent MP Sophie Scamps:
"This behaviour of the former prime minister was a deeply concerning lurch towards authoritarianism, by an individual who was addicted to executive power."
Just joining us now? Let's get you up to speed
By Jessica Riga
- Former prime minister Scott Morrison has been censured over his self-appointment to five portfolios
- The censure passed with the support of the government, crossbenchers and Liberal MP Bridget Archer
- It was opposed by the Liberals and Nationals
- A censure is the most-serious statement of disapproval a parliament can make, although it is symbolic and triggers no consequence for Morrison as a backbencher
- Defending himself against the censure motion, Morrison said he was proud of his achievements and his government
You can read more here from political reporter Jake Evans.
Karen Andrews abstained from voting
By Jessica Riga
Karen Andrews's office has confirmed she abstained from voting.
She did release this statement though, and while she didn't vote for or against the motion, she has labelled it a "stunt" from Labor:
"The government has had ample time to introduce remedies in accordance with the Bell recommendations.
"I expected Labor to milk this and that is exactly what they did - this was never about fixing the problem, but a political stunt."
Censure a 'reflection on Morrison's legacy'
By Jessica Riga
Political reporter Matthew Doran spoke a little earlier about what this censure means for Scott Morrison.
"It doesn't have a whole lot of an effect on Scott Morrison and what he now can or can't do in Parliament.
"He doesn't get kicked out, it's just something that's a reflection on this legacy as a prime minister, his legacy as a member of Parliament.
"And he will remain on the backbench, not as a minister or a shadow minister, just as the member for Cook."
Watch: PM condemns Morrison's 'hubris, arrogance and denial'
By Jessica Riga
In case you missed it before, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called out Scott Morrison's response to a censure motion as "hubris, arrogance and denial", saying he expected at least a "semblance of contrition" from his predecessor.
The censure has sinced passed after 86 votes in favour, with 50 against.
What does a censure actually mean for Morrison?
By Jessica Riga
Hey, does this mean he will no longer be an MP?
- Sophie
Hey Sophie, thanks for writing in.
A censure is the most-serious statement of disapproval a parliament can make, although it is symbolic and triggers no consequence for Scott Morrison as a backbencher.
86 votes in support of the censure, 50 against
By Jessica Riga
It looks like the only person from the opposition who crossed the floor was indeed Bridget Archer.
Scott Morrison censured by the House of Representatives
By Jessica Riga
Former prime minister Scott Morrison has been censured by the House of Representatives for secretly appointing himself to five portfolios during the pandemic.
The appointments were kept secret from almost all of his colleagues and while they did not break the law, two subsequent inquiries found they undermined the principles of responsible government.
The current prime minister, Anthony Albanese, said the secret appointments were an abuse of power that trashed democratic standards and deserve to be condemned.
Morrison has again defended his conduct and told parliament he would not apologise for taking urgent action during the pandemic as a preventative measure.
The censure is a symbolic act with no legal impact.
The doors have been locked
By Jessica Riga
Which means the division is in progress.
When Bob Katter spoke before, it was unclear if he was supporting or opposing the motion, but we can see he's sitting with the Coalition.
What we know about the upcoming vote to censure Morrison
By Jessica Riga
While the opposition will vote against the motion, Liberal MP Bridget Archer intends to cross the floor to support it.
