Scott Morrison is set to quit politics and cash in on security deal he set up while PM with job at major UK defence company
- Scott Morrison said to be weighing up new job
- The role is for a defence firm in the UK
Scott Morrison could quit politics in a matter of weeks and take up a plum role in the UK defence sector, it has emerged.
The former Prime Minister’s has reportedly been sounded out by a major UK company working in the defence sector which is interested in his insights into AUKUS, the landmark security pact he signed when in office with the UK and US.
Scott Morrison: ex-pm to take up cushy new job offer in UK defence sector
Two sources close to him said he is considering the potential job offer.
‘He won’t go until it is locked in but it is fair to say he is actively seeking life after politics,’ one of them told the Sydney Morning Herald.
‘It’s in the AUKUS space based out of the UK.’
Former Prime Minister Scott Morrison is considering a job in the UK defence sector
The unnamed company is reportedly keen to hear his insights into AUKUS, the landmark security pact he signed when in office with the UK and US
Mr Morrison is widely expected to quit frontline politics at some point after the May 9 budget and before the end of the year.
The job offer is yet to be finalised but if it is made – and Mr Morrison accepts – it would require the former prime minister to commute to the UK about once a month, with his family remaining in Sydney.
Mr Morrison did not deny the claims when contacted for comment.
‘I’m very engaged with things in my local electorate and enjoying being back in my local community,’ he said.
Mr Morrison’s exit would trigger a byelection in the seat of Cook, south of Sydney, which he held with a two-party preferred margin of 12.4 per cent at the 2022 federal election.
The AUKUS deal will deliver Australia a fleet of eight nuclear-powered submarines at a cost of $368 billion by 2055
In November last year, Scott Morrison became the first Australian prime minister in history to be formally censured by the House of Representatives after the ‘minister for everything’ scandal
Jobs of former PMs after leaving politics
Malcolm Turnbull: Returned to the private sector as a senior advisor to major global private equity firm (KKR)
Tony Abbott: Appointed as an adviser to the UK’s Board of Trade
Julia Gillard: Visiting professor at the University of Adelaide, Chair of Beyond Blue
Kevin Rudd: Senior roles for a range of international organisations and educational institutions. President of the Asia Society
John Howard: Signed with speaking agency Washington Speakers Bureau, chairman of the International Democrat Union
Paul Keating: Director for various companies and also became a senior adviser to Lazard investment banking firm
Bob Hawke: Took on a number of directorships and consultancy positions. Helped establish the Centre for Muslim and Non-Muslim Understanding at the University of South Australia.
In November last year, he became the first Australian prime minister in history to be formally censured by the House of Representatives after the ‘minister for everything’ scandal.
Mr Morrison had himself secretly sworn in as treasurer and minister for home affairs; finance; health; and industry, science, energy and resources in 2020 and 2021.
None of the ministers for these portfolios, other than Greg Hunt for health, were aware he had secretly doubled up on their jobs.
Mr Morrison was roundly condemned, with some of the fiercest criticism coming from his own party.
Karen Andrews’, the ex home affairs minister who had no idea she was sharing her job with Mr Morrison, called on him to resign as the member for Cook.
‘The Australian people have been let down, they have been betrayed,’ she said last August.
Other than acknowledging some – but not all – of the appointments were unnecessary, Mr Morrison gave a spirited defence of his actions in parliament and offered no apology.
He claimed the unprecedented move was necessary at the time because of the uncertainty surrounding the Coronavirus crisis.
Mr Morrison said in February that since leaving the Lodge it was ‘nice being back part of normal suburban life again’.
‘People come up to me every day and kindly say thank you, not just for Covid, but particularly around international issues, China, all of these things,’ he told the Daily Telegraph.
The AUKUS deal, which will deliver Australia a fleet of eight nuclear-powered submarines at a cost of $368 billion by 2055, is designed to counter China’s perceived dominance in the Pacific.
The Australian government estimates it will generate 20,000 jobs over the next 30 years.
