A Decade of Deception: The Abbott-Turnbull-Morrison Scandals

For nearly a decade, Australians were subjected to a government that promised integrity, fiscal responsibility, and transparency. Instead, the Abbott-Turnbull-Morrison Coalition delivered an administration defined by corruption, mismanagement, and a blatant disregard for the public purse.

In stark contrast, since the election of the Albanese government, there has not been a single major scandal. That alone should give voters pause. Before history is rewritten by political spin, let’s take a clear-eyed look at the sheer scale of the Coalition’s corruption and entitlement abuse.

The Numbers Don’t Lie

By February 18, 2021, at least 124 documented scandals were linked to the Coalition government, each with clear sources to back them up. That number only grew by the time the Morrison government limped to its end in 2022. These weren’t minor lapses in judgment; they were calculated abuses of power, misuse of public funds, and systemic failures in accountability.

The Sports Rorts and Car Park Rorts Scandals

Let’s start with one of the most infamous examples of Coalition-era corruption: the sports rorts scandal. Millions of taxpayer dollars were funnelled into sports grants that disproportionately favoured marginal seats held or targeted by the Coalition.

Then there was the car park rorts scandal, a $660 million scheme that allocated commuter car park funding based on political calculations rather than actual infrastructure needs. The Auditor-General later deemed the program deeply flawed and lacking transparency.

Scott Morrison’s Secret Ministries

In an unprecedented display of executive overreach, Scott Morrison secretly appointed himself to five ministerial portfolios—without informing Parliament, his colleagues, or the public. Constitutional experts and former High Court judges condemned this as a gross abuse of democratic norms. The result? A cabinet system that operated in secrecy and without oversight.

The Robodebt Scandal: Systemic Cruelty and Unlawful Governance

The Coalition’s Robodebt scheme wasn’t just cruel—it was illegal. The automated debt recovery system unlawfully pursued welfare recipients for debts they didn’t owe, inflicting financial and psychological harm. The scheme was ultimately ruled unlawful, forcing the government to pay over $1.8 billion in settlements and damages.

Entitlements and Hypocrisy: “The Age of Entitlement is Over” (For Everyone But the LNP)

In 2014, Tony Abbott declared that “the age of entitlement is over.” Yet, Coalition ministers repeatedly exploited travel allowances, billed taxpayers for personal expenses, and upgraded their flights and accommodations without proper declaration.

Case in point: Bridget McKenzie, already infamous for the sports rorts scandal, was exposed for failing to declare at least 20 business-class flight upgrades—all while criticizing others for misusing public funds.

The Culture of Cover-Ups

Beyond direct corruption, the Coalition became known for its culture of secrecy, blocking Freedom of Information (FOI) requests, ignoring calls for stronger anti-corruption measures, and dismissing public accountability mechanisms.

Scott Morrison refused to establish a National Anti-Corruption Commission, despite overwhelming public support for one. It wasn’t until the Albanese government took office that a real integrity commission was finally legislated.

The Verdict: A Government for Themselves, Not the People

The Abbott-Turnbull-Morrison governments were not just economically irresponsible—they were ethically bankrupt. They abused public funds, undermined democratic institutions, and engaged in outright corruption while preaching fiscal discipline and accountability.

By contrast, the Albanese government, despite its imperfections, has not been mired in scandal. The difference is clear: one government serves the people, while the other serves itself.

Australians deserve governance that prioritizes integrity over self-interest. As the next election looms, voters must ask themselves: Do they want a government that works for them or a Coalition that sees public office as a personal entitlement?

Source List:
Auditor-General Report on Sports Grants – https://www.anao.gov.au/work/performance-audit/award-sports-grants
Auditor-General Report on Commuter Car Parks – https://www.anao.gov.au/work/performance-audit/award-commuter-car-park-funding
Robodebt Royal Commission – https://www.robodebt.royalcommission.gov.au/
Scott Morrison’s Secret Ministries Report – https://www.pmc.gov.au/news-centre/government/report-appointment-multiple-ministries
Australian National Audit Office – https://www.anao.gov.au/
National Anti-Corruption Commission – https://www.ag.gov.au/integrity/national-anti-corruption-commission