Scott Morrison used to DRUG himself to sleep in the midst of the Covid pandemic, allegations in new book

Scott Morrison once hit himself with a sedative to get a good night’s sleep during the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The former Prime Minister often wakes up at 3 a.m., his mind reeling over how to handle the crisis.

Sometimes PM with abdominal pain requires sleeping pills to be able to rest and function normally the next day.

The revelations have come in a new book, Plagued, on the federal government’s handling of the pandemic, which also details how Mr Morrison has had three undercover jobs during the pandemic after sworn in as health minister, finance minister and resource minister.

The book, written by political journalists Geoff Chambers and Simon Benson from The Australian newspaper, also outlines some of the policies Australia has largely adopted to combat the pandemic, including pub restrictions.

In a passage about Mr Morrison’s sleepless nights, the book reads: ‘He often wakes up at 3am, grappling with the scale of what the country is facing and his responsibility for it. .

Scott Morrison (pictured in March 2022) suffered from insomnia and often hit himself with sleeping pills to get a good night’s sleep during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic

‘He would wake up in a fit state and look up at the ceiling for hours on end, saying to himself, ‘I have to sleep or I won’t make it through this week’. “

Mr. Morrison suffered one of these episodes before a cabinet meeting on 3 June 2020. He took half a sleeping pill to reduce the dose.

According to the book, the former Prime Minister also suffered from insomnia while preparing the budget to serve as treasurer under Malcolm Turnbull.

The book also reveals some of the Covid-19 restrictions that were discussed between Mr Morrison and state prime ministers in the early days of the national cabinet.

One idea that didn’t work out was to allow drinkers to enter the pub for two hours on a revolving system that used a wristband.

The former Prime Minister (pictured with his wife Jenny) used to wake up at 3am, head reeling over how to deal with the crisis

The former Prime Minister recalled: ‘We were talking about pubs… the idea of ​​people being allowed in for two hours, how would you turn them in and out – with a wristband or a stamp’ .

When Gladys Berejiklian and Daniel Andrews informed the media of their March 2020 closure, the other prime ministers seemed furious that they had not been warned.

Queensland Leader Annastacia Palaszczuk and WA Premier Mark McGowan were particularly angry and Ms Berejiklian apologized for the lack of consultation, the book said.

Premier Palaszczuk also mentioned in the book a chapter on the closure of state borders.

In September 2020, Mr Morrison phoned the prime minister, begging her to allow 26-year-old Canberra nurse Sarah Caisip to attend her father’s funeral in Brisbane after he passed away while she was in quarantine. hotel glass.

Ms Caisip (pictured) was finally allowed to see her father’s coffin but was forced to wear full PPE

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk (pictured) has apparently accused Scott Morrison of bullying her

Ms. Palaszczuk apparently accused him of bullying her before hanging up.

“You are bullying me,” Palaszczuk suddenly accused him, before reminding the prime minister that RU OK? The book says.

Ms. Caisip was eventually allowed to see her father’s coffin but was forced to wear full PPE and was opened by gloved government employees.

The book also describes how Mr Morrison has been secretly sworn in as health minister, finance minister and resources minister during the Covid-19 pandemic in a series of unusual moves currently being investigated by the government. New Labor Government.

One idea discussed among prime ministers that didn’t work out was to allow drinkers to enter pubs for two hours on a wristband revolving system. In the photo: A pub in Sydney

In early 2020, the then prime minister decided to share power with the current health and finance ministers, Greg Hunt and Mathias Cormann, to prevent them from having too much influence over security laws and the treasury. the biosecurity of the nation during the crisis.

The plan was hatched with Approved by Attorney General Christian Porter. Mr Morrison apparently told Mr Hunt: ‘I trust you, man… but I am also sworn in as health minister.’

It has since been revealed that in April 2021, the former Prime Minister was sworn in as resource minister to prevent Keith Pitt from approving a huge oil and gas project off the Central Coast, where members Liberal members face pressure from climate activists and teal independents.

Mr Pitt was concerned only found out in December when he wanted to continue with the project but the Prime Minister killed it.

Scott Morrison secretly sworn in as health minister and finance minister during the Covid-19 pandemic

The covert moves have been criticized by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who is seeking advice on whether the actions are legal.

‘This is quite extraordinary. Australians need a prime minister who is focused on the job they’re assigned to,’ he told reporters in Melbourne on Monday.

Mr Morrison told Sky News he did not wish to comment, adding: ‘I haven’t seen him say anything. Since leaving my job, I have not been involved in any day-to-day politics’.

Explaining why Mr Morrison wants to share power with the health and finance ministers, the book – written by journalists for The Australian – says he feels ‘a lot of checks and balances are needed’ than before any minister could wield such power’.

The Health Minister is responsible for closing national borders and the finance minister is overseeing the largest fiscal stimulus in Australia’s history.

Powers could not be delegated to the Cabinet so Mr Morrison ‘later came up with a radical and hitherto secret plan with Porter’s approval.’

Mr Hunt was made aware of the decision and Mr Morrison, Mr Hunt and Mr Porter felt the move was protected’against any minister with absolute power. ‘

Former Prime Minister Scott Morrison and his wife Jenny in January 2022

However, Mr Cormann was said to be unaware that Mr Morrison was sharing his job and Mr Pitt is said to have complained to deputy prime minister Barnaby Joyce about the PM interfering in his yard.

In a statement on Monday, Governor-General David Hurley revealed he swore to Mr Morrison in several portfolios by signing an ‘administrative instrument’, meaning no public ceremony was required. .

He appointed Mr Morrison as administrator of the Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources on 15 April 2021.

The decision on whether to make appointments public to manage additional portfolios is up to the government today, the statement said.

The governor general said the appointment was legal under section 64 of the constitution.

During Monday’s press conference, Mr. Albanese lashed out at his predecessor.

‘Australians are kept private about what ministerial agreements are like. It’s completely unacceptable,’ he said.

‘There should be clear transparency. These cases should never have arisen.

“You know, we have a non-presidential system of government in this country – but what we got from Scott Morrison is the concentration of power, it’s the ministerial discretion and it’s all done appear in secret.”

Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt speaks to the media during a press conference in March 2022

Government Services Minister Bill Shorten said the move was ‘strange’ and accused Mr Morrison – a Protestant Christian – of a ‘messiah’ complex.

‘He was ghost of ministers in his own cabinet, he is traveling. I don’t know if it’s some messianic complex or he thinks he’s the Australian version of Kanye,’ Mr Shorten told ABC.

‘I don’t know what went through his head. Why not tell everyone, why keep it a secret?

‘This is about the constitution, it’s about our entire system of government. You really need a good explanation and I haven’t heard one yet. ‘

Mr Shorten said the move showed Mr Morrison ‘did not trust his colleagues’.

Mr. Morrison and then-Australian Finance Minister Mathias Cormann drank beer in 2018