Extract from ABC News
After being highly criticised last week in a report on his decision to secretly appoint himself to several ministries, Scott Morrison is set to face more harsh words this week when a censure motion is moved against him.
The former prime minister's actions were described as "corrosive" to trust in the government in the report written by former High Court Justice Virginia Bell and released on Friday.
The government agreed to implement all the recommendations of the report, but on Monday Anthony Albanese announced Labor would also look to censure Mr Morrison this week.
So how does a censure motion work and what does it mean for Scott Morrison?
What is the process?
When parliament is dissatisfied with the performance of a particular member, a censure motion can be moved.
What this particular motion will say is not yet clear, but the wording will be specific to the incident and it will name Mr Morrison.
Like other motions, the mover will deliver a speech and there will be an opportunity for debate.
Following that, a vote will be called and parliamentarians will make a decision on the motion.
Notice can be given, however there have been occasions where standing orders are stopped on the day for a censure motion.
When will it happen?
It's likely the censure motion will happen on Wednesday.
However, given this is the last sitting week of parliament this year, the motion and vote will have to happen some time this week.
The motion will be confirmed in the morning parliament notice.
What happens next?
Although there are no direct legal consequences from a censure, there is an opportunity for leaders to express severe disapproval.
With a Labor-majority government, the motion is expected to be passed, however the opposition is expected to oppose it.
Liberal MP Bridget Archer has indicated she will break ranks with the Coalition and cross the floor in favour of the motion.
Being censured can sometimes have a significant political impact, and it can affect an MP's chances of re-election.
Has a politician been censured before?
Yes, but it is 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.
At the time an inquiry found Mr Billson took a job at the Franchise Council of Australia (FCA) as he retired, but did not declare a $75,000 salary for the job while he was still an MP.
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