Former prime minister Scott Morrison has thanked his Coalition colleagues for their support, after the opposition formally decided not to support a censure motion against him on Wednesday morning.
The motion, which will condemn Mr Morrison for secretly appointing himself to five ministries without telling his cabinet colleagues, parliament or the public, will be debated and approved by the House of Representatives, where the government has a majority.
It follows the release of a scathing report from former High Court judge Virginia Bell on Friday, which found the former prime minister's actions were "corrosive" of trust in government.
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton told his colleagues during a partyroom meeting on Tuesday the Coalition would carefully consider legislation to ensure power could not be quietly concentrated by a prime minister in such a way again.
But according to those present, he described the censure motion as a "stunt" and said the Coalition would oppose it, arguing the federal parliament should be focused on other issues, like the cost of living.
"This is Anthony Albanese at his political brawler best," Mr Dutton told colleagues.
Shortly afterwards, Mr Morrison stood up to thank Coalition MPs for their support this week and when he was prime minister.
A censure motion is a symbolic move, used to express parliament's disapproval of an MP's actions.
The motion will have no impact on Mr Morrison's current job as a backbencher.
But they are uncommon and it is unusual for a former prime minister to face such a reprimand.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese argues the motion is about "accountability of our democratic system" and to ensure Mr Morrison faces some consequences for his secret accumulation of power and portfolios.
Liberals understand why the government is pursuing the former PM, arguing the entire scandal is damaging for the Coalition.
At least one MP, Bridget Archer, will cross the floor. She says she will support the motion if it comes before the house.
"My view is that it would be an act of extreme hypocrisy for me personally, given the stance I've taken in the past couple of years on issues such as integrity, to do anything other than support that motion," she said.
"Because it is an affront to democracy, as I have said previously, and the Bell report has also said it's corrosive to the parliament, to those institutions, to trust in public office."
But many in the opposition claim the government's focus on Mr Morrison is becoming gratuitous, considering his conduct will also be the focus of a royal commission into the failed Robodebt scheme.
Anger at Morrison remains in Coalition
Regardless of the formal opposition to the censure motion, it does appear Mr Morrison's standing among many of his former colleagues has been badly damaged.
A number remain deeply angry, arguing he has damaged the Coalition's reputation and legacy in office, and some believe he should consider leaving parliament.
Tensions are being publicly aired in a new book by Niki Savva, a journalist and former senior Liberal adviser, who is now a prominent columnist for the Nine Newspapers.
In her book Bulldozed, former immigration minister Alex Hawke and former treasurer Josh Frydenberg are both quoted criticising Mr Morrison's secret accumulation of portfolio powers.
"He got addicted to executive authority," Mr Hawke reportedly said, adding that the former prime minister also did not like taking advice.
"He wasn't the greatest listener."
In a statement issued on Tuesday afternoon, Mr Hawke said he remained friends with Mr Morrison and made clear that he would oppose the censure.
"Today I have caught up with Scott Morrison and like every day look forward to joining him in parliament," he said.
"I don't believe Australians support this politically charged, payback approach."
The censure motion will be moved by the Leader of the House, Tony Burke, on Wednesday morning.
