Former Federal Tourism Minister reveals why she fired Scott Morrison

Former Federal Tourism Minister, Fran Bailey, has revealed why she fired Scott Morrison from his $350,000-a-year position as Managing Director of Tourism Australia in 2006.

Alongside revealing her reasons for firing Morrison, Bailey is also currently demanding that he quit politics over the recent secret ministerial scandal which exposed Morrison for having secretly swore himself into five ministerial roles while prime minister.

Bailey has never spoke on the record about the decision to terminate Morrison’s contract – until now.

Speaking to the Sydney Morning Herald, Bailey advised “what has changed my mind is that all of those characteristics that make up Scott Morrison – the secrecy... the supreme belief that only he can do a job, the lack of consultation with those closest to him – those characteristics were evident 16 years ago, and perhaps we're seeing the end result of those now.”

Bailey claims she felt bullied by Morrison while he was Managing Director of Tourism Australia under the Howard Government between 2004 and 2006.

She ordered then-chair of Tourism Australia board Tim Fischer to terminate his contract amid claims he had no respect for colleagues.

Bailey has until now kept quiet for the past decade and a half on why Morrison was sacked as managing director and has only revealed her reasoning since his secret ministerial roles were made public with calls continuing to grow for the former prime minister to step down.

"It came down to a complete lack of trust. It’s not something that I have stewed over for all those 16 years, but I certainly have become very concerned as he worked his way through the ministry, and I was gobsmacked when he became prime minister," she told SMH.

During his time at Tourism Australia, Morrison oversaw the controversial 'Where the bloody hell are you?' ad campaign featuring Lara Bingle.

The campaign cost $184 million of taxpayer's money and was run by international ad agency Saatchi.

Bailey said Morrison did not disclose why he chose that particular ad agency and 'point-blank refused' to share documentation.

As reported in Australasian Leisure Management back in 2006, Morrison’s sacking was thought to be due to persistent tension between Morrison and Bailey since his appointment in November 2004.

While other sources linked his departure to a plan to end Tourism Australia's status as an independent statutory authority and put it firmly under the control of the Federal Minister and the Federal Department of Industry, Tourism and Resources.

While confirming Morrison’s departure, then Tourism Australia Chairman and former Deputy Prime Minister Tim Fischer, would not comment on the reasons.

Instead he praised Morrison's performance, telling the Sydney Morning Herald "I acknowledge the dedicated contributions Scott Morrison has made to Tourism Australia in particular with the development and launch of the new international marketing campaign 'So Where the Bloody Hell Are You?'. I have no further comment at this time."

Morrison reached a settlement with Tourism Australia, which included all performance bonuses, when his role was terminated in 2006. 

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has launched an official inquiry into Morrison's secret jobs scandal who noted the inquiry would not have the power of a royal commission to compel witnesses to co-operate but he expected Morrison would do so.

Advice from the country's solicitor-general released last week found that while Morrison's actions undermined the principles of "responsible government", he did not break any laws by secretly vacuuming up ministerial powers.

The probe will be conducted by former High Court judge Virginia Bell who will report back to Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus by 25th November.