Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has chastised his predecessor for making light of secretly taking on five portfolios during the pandemic.
Scott Morrison, who was sworn in to oversee the departments of health, finance, treasury, resources and home affairs, on Thursday commented on memes and posted photoshopped images of himself in various groups, including as the head of the NRL's Cronulla Sharks.
Mr Albanese expressed dismay at Mr Morrison's actions on Friday.
"This undermining of the parliamentary system of government, of the whole Westminster system and our democratic traditions of accountability, are something that aren't a laughing matter," he told the ABC.
"I'm surprised at the response of Mr Morrison to this but then again, I frankly was shocked by the revelations."
"I'm also somewhat surprised that there's been no concept that there's a need to say to the Australian people that the wrong thing was done."
Former coalition government minister Angus Taylor said he didn't think it was necessary for Mr Morrison to apologise to him for secretly taking on his portfolio.
"My working relationship with him was very positive," he told 2GB.
"I also felt this shouldn't become a distraction from the big issues we're facing right now."
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has taken aim at upcoming legal advice from the solicitor-general on the former prime minister's actions.
The solicitor-general is expected to advise the government on Monday, following revelations of Mr Morrison's series of confidential ministerial appointments between March 2020 and May 2021.
Monday's advice was unlikely to provide "anything further than probably another opportunity for the prime minister to have a whack", Mr Dutton told Sydney radio station 2GB.
"And I think most people, frankly, want to move on and start dealing with issues that are more important."
Mr Morrison could face questions from parliament's powerful privileges committee over the secret appointments.
Greens leader Adam Bandt has written to House of Representatives Speaker Milton Dick requesting the matter of whether he misled parliament be examined by the committee.
A spokesman for Mr Dick told AAP he was considering the matter.
The former prime minister has apologised personally to coalition colleagues he had secretly shared a ministry with.
Mr Morrison said he kept the roles confidential as he did not want to "undermine the confidence of ministers in the performance of their duties".
He said he only used the extra powers once, to block a gas drilling project off the NSW coast.
That decision, made in 2021, is the subject of a Federal Court appeal.
© AAP 2022